Tech Whisperers: Inside the Playbooks of the Best Digital Leaders

With AI turning the traditional leadership playbook on its head, many leaders are finding themselves stuck in cycles of pilots, experimentation, and uncertainty. Marianne Johnson, EVP & Chief Product Officer at Cox Automotive, is one of the select few who are already creating real business impact, rewriting the playbook and redefining what’s possible in the process. In this episode of Tech Whisperers, we’re shining a light on Marianne’s enterprise leadership story, which involves orchestrating one of the largest business transformations in the industry, grounded in the conviction that AI starts and ends with people. Marianne shares how Cox Automotive moved from “data first, AI enabled” to “AI first, data differentiated,” and the corporate jet conversation that helped launch its agentic AI strategy two years ago. Among other things, she also opens up about surviving an F5 tornado as a baby, the grandmother who taught her that “everything is figure-out-able,” and the young man in Kenya whose life she helped change. Connect with Marianne: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariannemcpeakjohnson/ Cox Automotive: https://www.coxautoinc.com/ Tune in for insights from Marianne’s enterprise leadership playbook, including: Why the leadership job is shifting from being the best explorer to being the cartographer Her philosophy of “start with crazy and work backwards” How Cox Automotive moved from “data first, AI enabled” to “AI first, data differentiated” Why every business needs a “control plane” for agentic AI How she builds relationships “all the way down” an organization Why leadership is a team sport Balancing high standards with high care Featuring submitted questions from: Barry McCarthy, President & CEO, Deluxe Chris Dillon, VP, Infrastructure & Operations Platforms, Cox Automotive Inc. Elaine Baker, EVP, Global Operations & Financial Protection, Global Payments Inc. Shawna Easley, Senior Director, Product Management, Cox Automotive Inc. Mitch Gersten, CIO, Cox Automotive Inc. Keith Ferrazzi, NYT Best-Selling Author, Founder of Ferrazzi Greenlight

While many leaders spend their careers trying to avoid uncertainty, GE Aerospace CIO David Burns has built his by embracing it. After more than 25 years leading through transformation, disruption, and some of the biggest moments in modern business and technology, David has developed a leadership philosophy rooted in continuous learning, developing people, and helping teams thrive when the path ahead is anything but clear. In this episode of Tech Whisperers, we are shining the light on David’s journey and exploring what it takes to lead through turbulence, build high-performing teams, create a culture of continuous improvement, and use AI to accelerate both innovation and business outcomes. Connect with David: http://linkedin.com/in/david-andrew-burns GE Aerospace: https://www.geaerospace.com/ Tune in for David’s expert insights, including: How GE's leadership culture develops confident, adaptable technology leaders What it means to be both an exceptional operator and an innovative CIO in the age of AI How continuous learning helps leaders separate meaningful signals from constant noise Why coaching, trust, and authentic relationships are essential to building high-performing teams How GE Aerospace is using AI to accelerate customer value and continuous improvement Practical leadership lessons for navigating uncertainty with confidence and clarity Featuring submitted questions from: Alf Cherry, CIO, Commercial Engines & Services, GE Aerospace Monica Caldas, Global CIO, Liberty Mutual Insurance, Episode 59 Guest Dinakar Deshmukh, VP, Data Science & Analytics, GE Aerospace James Ross, Chief Digital Technology Officer, Phillips 66 Ehren Powell, Chief Digital Officer, Jim Fowler, Chief Technology & Product Officer, Lumen Technologies

Jane Connell began her career without a college degree and no pre-determined path to executive leadership. Yet through grit, curiosity, authenticity, and an unwavering belief that leadership is ultimately about people, she has built one of the most respected careers in technology. In this episode, we are shining the light on Jane’s remarkable journey ahead of her induction into the CIO Hall of Fame. Through a diverse group of Mystery Questioners who help us answer the question “What Would Jane Do?” Jane is sharing the leadership philosophies, career-defining moments, and deeply personal lessons that shaped her four-decade legacy at organizations like Johnson & Johnson, State Street Bank, and Verizon. Connect with Jane: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-connell-b2377544/ Verizon: https://www.verizon.com/ Tune in for leadership wisdom from Jane, including: How her grit and curiosity formed the foundation for her leadership journey How authentic leadership and vulnerability became her greatest superpowers How to drive meaningful innovation by immersing yourself in the business Her First 100 Days Playbook for navigating complexity and building trust inside large organizations How to overcome resistance and lead transformation without creating enemies How AI is reshaping work, and why leaders must shift from org structures to workforce structures Why women are falling out of technology, and why Jane believes AI can become an equalizer Featuring submitted questions from: Ahmed Khan, Associate Director, Application Development, Verizon Velamur Sudharshan, SVP, Technology, Strategy & Architecture, Global Infrastructure & Security, Verizon Avi Arora, Senior Director, Strategy & Transformation, Verizon Geeta Mahindroo VP Corporate Systems, Verizon Tom Connell, Jane’s Husband Tyler Connell, Jane’s Son

While many leaders will put technology and innovation at the center of the story, Sal Companieh, Chief Digital & Information Officer at Cushman & Wakefield, keeps people, trust, and authentic relationships at the center instead. In this episode of Tech Whisperers, Sal sits down with host Dan Roberts for one of the most thoughtful leadership conversations we’ve ever featured. We’re unpacking Sal’s leadership playbook to learn how empathy, curiosity, trust, and human connection have become the foundation of innovation at scale inside a 53,000-person global organization. Connect with Sal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salumeh-companieh-9171531/ Cushman & Wakefield: https://www.cushmanwakefield.com/ Tune in for Sal’s expert insights, including: How Cushman & Wakefield uses its “AI Impact Barometer” How to identify patterns and build trust in a large organization Why it takes a strong CEO partnership to lead enterprise-wide transformation How to create an environment where people can bring their whole self to work How to stay grounded despite the pressures of leadership Featuring submitted questions from: Mia Mends, CEO of Cushman & Wakefield Services, Independent Director, H&R Block Board Victoria Malkin, President, Cushman & Wakefield, Americas Markets Miles Treaster, President, Cushman & Wakefield, Capital Markets Simon Springett, Chief Technology Officer, Cushman & Wakefield Kourosh Farboodmanesh, Co-Founder & COO of Trulo, Incoming Freshman at Duke, & Sal’s Amazing Son Diana McKenzie, Board Director, Advisor, 2x CIO, Sal’s Mentor Sandy Pudar, College Roommate & Long-Time Friend

What does successful leadership look like in the age of AI, constant disruption, and accelerating change? In this episode, Dan Roberts sits down with Sears Merritt, CIO at MassMutual. Rather than chasing headlines, Sears has spent more than a decade building systems, teams, and cultures that consistently deliver impact, all while staying deeply grounded in purpose, accountability, and policyholder-first service. We are unpacking Sears’ leadership playbook to learn how MassMutual approaches innovation inside a 175-year-old institution, why adaptability is becoming a timeless leadership skill, and how organizations can create environments where breakthrough thinking naturally emerges. Connect with Sears: https://www.linkedin.com/in/searsmerritt/ MassMutual: https://www.massmutual.com/ Listen to learn valuable leadership insights, including: Why impact matters more than recognition or promotion How to create long-term trust and consistency with customers The most important leadership skills in the age of AI How to adapt your “learning rate” in periods of rapid change How focusing on outcomes instead of solutions can unlock innovation The value of a strong CEO-CIO partnership Featuring submitted questions from: Sharmila Ramar, CTO & Global Head of Enterprise Infrastructure Services, MassMutual Manoj Vallam, Head of HR Consulting, Enterprise Technology, & Experience, MassMutual Sara Biller, Co-Founder, FinTech Sandbox, Board Member Azer Bestavros, Associate Provost for Computing & Data Sciences, Boston University Josh Alwitt, Leadership & Organization Coach, Josh Alwitt Leadership

Today’s guest is a technology executive who has mastered the art of honoring a strong legacy while reinventing it in an era of massive disruption. Leigh-Ann Russell is the CIO and Global Head of Engineering at BNY, which was founded 240 years ago. In this episode, Leigh-Ann is opening up her leadership playbook and sharing her perspectives on how to lead through chaos with clarity, why coherence is her defining word for today’s AI era, and how organizations can balance trust, innovation, and transformation at scale. Connect with Leigh-Ann BNY Tune in for expert advice from Leigh-Ann, including: What it takes to safeguard trillions of dollars in assets How to build executive alignment around AI Overcoming AI fears Coherence as a leadership strategy The power of servant leadership Embracing a beginner’s mindset Featuring submitted questions from: Shannon Hobbs, Chief People Officer, BNY Adriana Marquez, VP Upstream Performance, BP Keith Ferrazzi, NYT Best Selling Author, Founder of Ferrazzi Greenlight, Episode 86 Guest Nastassja Hagan, Senior Director, COO, Engineering, BNY Rowan Eleanor Donachie, University Student, Overachiever

This episode we’re sitting down with Sanjay Shringarpure, CIO at The Freeman Company, to unpack the intangibles of leadership. These are the qualities you can’t easily measure on a dashboard but are often the key difference between leaders who talk about transformation and those who actually achieve it. Over his two decades of technology leadership experience, Sanjay has built a strong track record of leading major digital transformation projects by drawing on his ability to foster collaboration while delivering innovative solutions. From decision velocity to creating a culture of extreme transparency, he has mastered the intangibles of leadership, and in this episode, he’s sharing how you can leverage them to become a true force multiplier for your company. Connect with Sanjay: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjay-shringarpure/ The Freeman Company: https://www.freeman.com/ Tune in for expert insights from Sanjay’s playbook, including: How to leverage speed and preparation to make an impact in the first 45 days The concept of healthy impatience and how to channel urgency without creating chaos Building a “roundtable” leadership team for healthy debate and growth Trust-building through integrity, sacrifice, and stacking micro wins early Balancing candor and compassion Knowing when to push, pause, or pivot through clarity of vision and transparency Developing courage and conviction when the answers aren’t obvious Building a culture where leaders grow leaders Instilling the “playing hurt” mindset to show up and lead through tough moments Featuring submitted questions from: Dan Jennings, SVP of IT, The Freeman Company Emily Xu, CDIO, EVP, RNDC Tarak Patel, CIO, Saia Paul Fletcher, COO of AV & Event Technology, The Freeman Company John Dickson, CISO, Insight Global Renee Pearson, CIO, Rollins

There is no better guest to celebrate our 100th Whisperers episode with than Denise Russell Fleming, CIO and EVP of Technology & Global Services at BD. Denise has built a remarkable career across telecom, aerospace, defense, and healthcare, leading large-scale transformation while staying laser-focused on three vital areas: purpose, people, and impact. Throughout her leadership journey, her ability to ensure clarity and deliver outcomes at scale has made her the go-to for orchestrating the most complex cross-company, high-stakes initiatives. Denise embodies everything it means to be a Tech Whisperer. In this episode, we’re unpacking her playbook, the experiences that shaped her career, and the lessons she’s learned—and that you can apply—from navigating complex transformations. Connect with Denise: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deniserussellfleming/ BD: https://www.bd.com/ Tune in for wisdom from Denise’s journey, including: Balancing executive responsibilities, community engagement, and personal growth The key to wearing multiple leadership hats simultaneously Finding alignment between enterprise strategy and IT investment Leading enterprise-scale transformation in highly regulated areas Featuring submitted questions from: Ted Colbert, Former President & CEO, Boeing Defense, Space, & Security Larry Quinlan, 11x Board Director, Former CIO, Whisperers Guest - Episode 7 Michael Bennett, Board Member, Former CIO Dani Brown, EVP & CIO, Whirlpool, 3x Board Director, Episode 4 Whisperers Guest Hermes Vallejo, VP of IT, Medical Segment NA, Marketing, R&D RAQA, BD Rona Bunn, CIO, NACD (National Assoc of Corp Directors), Episode 32 Guest Sabina Ewing, CIO, Business & Technology Services, Abbott, Episode 11 Guest Tony Ezell, President of the Americas & Chief Marketing Officer, BD Bharat Amin, 4x Board Member, Former CIO Earl Newsome, CIO, Cummins, Episode 71 Guest

What does it take to lead technology at enterprise scale in a world defined by AI, ambiguity, and nonstop disruption? That’s one of the big questions we’re exploring in this episode with guest Mojgan Lefebvre, EVP and Chief Technology & Operations Officer at Travelers. Since joining the property casualty insurer in 2018, Mojgan has been the driving force behind its digital and operational transformations, modernizing core platforms, strengthening customer experience, and enabling business growth through technology. Mojgan’s professional journey spans senior leadership roles across insurance, healthcare, consulting, and technology, with a perspective that’s been informed and expanded by her board experience and her passion for developing future-ready talent. From leaving Iran at 19 to leading a 15,000-person global tech and ops organization, she shares how her leadership philosophies were forged long before she ever held a title and why a human-centered approach to AI is the way forward. Connect with Mojgan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mojganlefebvre Travelers: https://www.travelers.com/ Tune in for practical insights from Mojgan’s playbook, including: The keys to fast execution at enterprise scale Leadership skills necessary for leading enterprise transformation How to balance innovation with optimization Using technology to improve customer experience The mindset and skillset for leading during transformation Featuring submitted questions from: Shelia Anderson, EVP, Chief Information & Digital Officer, Unum, Episode 87 Guest Marc Wood, CIO, Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Jason Galvin, SVP & CIO, Personal Insurance, Travelers Kamalesh Dwivedi, President & Partner, 3Lines Christine Kalla, EVP & General Counsel, Travelers Andreas Wetterwald, Chief Data & Analytics Officer, Travelers Kevin De Sa, SVP & CIO, Business Insurance, Travelers James McGlennon, EVP & Global CIO, Liberty Mutual (ret)

There are leaders who understand technology, and there are leaders who understand people, but when someone comes along who truly masters both, incredible things start to happen. Shelia Anderson, EVP and Chief Information & Digital Officer at Unum, is one of those rare and special leaders. A four-time CIO and Hall of Fame inductee, Shelia has built a career defined by transformation, resilience, and developing others. In this episode, we are unpacking Shelia’s playbook to learn about: Leading enterprise-scale transformations Recognizing when it’s time to step into a new environment Leading human-centered AI integration Attracting and retaining top talent Being a leader people want to follow even—and especially—in moments of high accountability Featuring submitted questions from: James McGlennon, EVP & Chief Information Officer (Ret.), Liberty Mutual Mojgan Lefebvre, VP & Chief Technology & Operations Officer, Travelers Matt Keane, VP Data Science & AI, Enterprise Value Stream Builder, Head of Innovation Kelley Kage, SVP & Chief Information Officer, Employers Insurance Andrew Walker, Chief Customer Operations Officer, Unum Group

In this episode, we are sitting down with Keith Ferrazzi, bestselling author of Never Eat Alone and Never Lead Alone, to talk about what leadership, teamship, and trust really look like in an AI-driven world, and how to strengthen relationships by embracing candor. Drawing on his research and insights as well as strategies and tools from his books, Keith is opening up his playbook to share how leaders can stop thinking about AI in silos. We’ll explore the secrets to growing meaningful professional relationships, building high-performing teams, and leading in today’s dynamic and interconnected business environment. Connect with Keith: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithferrazzi/ Ferrazzi Greenlight: https://ferrazzigreenlight.com/ Never Eat Alone: https://a.co/d/cOdJlPx (Amazon Link) Never Lead Alone: https://a.co/d/0ZFWB3a (Amazon Link) Tune in for expert wisdom from Keith, including: How to build high-performing teams in the AI era The importance of candor and collaboration The power of asking the right questions Building and strengthening leadership relationships Featuring submitted questions from: Deepa Soni, CIO, New York Life, Episode 40 Guest Leigh-Ann Russell, CIO & Global Head of Engineering, BNY Frank Congiu, EVP for Human Capital Strategy & Executive Partnerships, Randstad Enterprises Stephanie Kramar, CHRO, L’Oréal Lisa Buckingham, Global Chief People & Culture Officer, Vialto Partners

In this episode, we are shining the light on a leader whose journey truly plays out like a movie. Sastry Durvasula has one of those rare stories that blends technical mastery, human-centered leadership, and bold reinvention. After starting out as an engineer, his career journey has included leading transformation for a number of big brand organizationizations. He’s now the Chief Operating, Information, and Digital Officer at TIAA, a $1.4 trillion, 100+ year-old financial institution. From film knowledge to navigating AI, uncertainty, and large-scale change, Sastry’s expertise knows no bounds, and now, you’re getting a front-row seat to tap into all of that leadership knowledge and insight. Tune in for expert advice from Sastry’s playbook, including: The challenge of solving yesterday, today, and tomorrow all at once How he uses reinvention as a superpower How to know when transformation has turned the corner Navigating decision-making in the fog of uncertainty and leading with conviction Featuring submitted questions from: Sathish Muthukrishnan, Chief Information, Data, & Digital Officer, Ally, Episode 50 Guest Eileen Lash, Chief Administrative Officer, TIAA Neal Sample, Chief Digital & Technology Officer, Best Buy Swatee Singh, CIO for Data, AI, & Corporate Technology, TIAA Yogs Jayapraksam, Chief Technology & Digital Officer, Deluxe

In this era of accelerated disruption, leaders who have the right combination of clarity, courage, and conviction stand apart from the pack. GSK Chief Digital & Technology Officer Shobie Ramakrishnan brings all of that to the table—and then some! With her deep and broad experience in both biotech and hi-tech companies, Shobie has mastered the art of leading at scale, engaging the whole organization in digital transformation, and positioning herself to embrace what the future will bring. As Shobie shows us, the most successful leaders do more than keep up; they play offense. Join us as we unpack her leadership playbook and explore how to show up with purpose, navigate complexity with curiosity, and harness this era of rapid disruption to set our organizations up to thrive. Tune in for tips from Shobie’s playbook, including: How to build organizational agility and speed How to engage the entire organization in digital transformation The importance of “white space” for innovation Shobie’s approach to talent strategy and development at GSK Strategies for success in the next decade Featuring submitted questions from: Diane Schwarz, Group CIO, Smurfit Westrock, Episode 79 Guest Karenann Terrell, Board Director, Technology Advisor, Former CDTO, Episode 48 Guest Adam Uphadyay, SVP & CDTO, Vertex Pharmaceuticals Deborah Waterhouse, CEO, ViiV Healthcare, President of Global Health, GSK

After years of interviews with dozens of incredible digital leaders, we’ve explored countless “answer the call” moments, and as we’ve seen, great leaders don’t rely on luck to receive those calls. They place themselves in the right place at the right time so that when the time comes, they are at the top of the list. Jeanine Charlton, the Chief Technology & Digital Officer at Merchants Fleet, is a perfect example of such a leader. In this episode, we are unpacking Jeanine’s customer-first, business-first executive playbook, which has included having responsibility for a $2 billion P&L and 3,500 people. We’ll explore the power of resilience, the discipline of operational excellence, and the value of mentorship and clear communication in leadership. Tune in for valuable learnings from Jeanine, including: How to lead in high-stakes, high-stress situations with limited time How to communicate with clarity and calmness amid chaos What has anchored Jeanine throughout her career The key skills and traits that have helped Jeanine achieve sustained success Jeanine’s most important advice for women entering tech industries Featuring submitted questions from: Ralph Szygenda, Industry Executive & Advisor (Ret.), 2007 CIO Hall of Fame Kevin Torgerson, Independent Board Director & Advisor Andi Karaboutis, Board Director of Aon, Perrigo, Savills, Autoliv, Advisory Board of Decagon, iGreenTree.ai Kurt Taylor, VP, Client Solutions, Merchants Fleet Chethana Halasinahalli, Sr Manager IT Applications at ONEOK, Graduate of TechLX Leadership Program Samantha Charlton, Entrepreneur, Gym Owner, Personal Trainer

This week, we are shining a light on Mike Anderson, Chief Digital & Information Officer at Netskope, to unpack the mindset and playbook behind his exceptional ability to “lift as he climbs.” Mike’s not your typical tech exec; he’s a business guy in an IT wrapper, someone who’s as comfortable in the boardroom as he is in the scrum room. From his early days at Schneider Electric to helping Netskope go public, Mike shares hard-earned lessons on balancing transformation with operational excellence, reshaping pressure into performance, and leveraging storytelling as a leadership superpower. Tune in for insights from Mike’s playbook, including: The importance of learning the business in your first 90 days Instilling ambition and helping people aspire to more Securing buy-in for bold ideas How he approaches his dual role leading Netskope’s strategy office and IT Learning from adversity and staying positive Featuring submitted questions from: Annette Clayton, Board Director, OshKosh, Nordson, Flash, NXP Semiconductors, & Duke Energy Amanda Anderson, Senior Director, Integrated Marketing, Digital & Marketing Ops, Netskope Clint Clark, VP, IT Engineering & Architecture, Netskope Danyel Bischof-Forsyth, Chief Technology & Information Officer, 7 Brew Coffee, Episode #73 Guest Alan Rankin, Mike’s Long Time Friend

This week, we are shining the light on one of the most intentional and inspiring CIOs in the game, Ken Piddington, Chief Digital, Technology, & Integration Officer at RelaDyne. Ken exemplifies what it means to be a leader who teaches, mentors, and communicates with purpose. Over the years, we’ve collected several of his “Ken-isms,” the short, punchy expressions that encompass his leadership philosophy, strategy, and core beliefs. In this episode, we’ll explore these pillars of his leadership playbook and dig into how he uses teaching in his leadership approach, giving you new insights on how to lead transformational change successfully for your organization as well as your people. Tune in for insights from Ken’s career, including: How to balance business results and team development “Anchor the Why”: Ken’s approach to vision and purpose The relationship between execution and speed Character consistency and being the thermostat instead of the thermometer Featuring submitted questions from: Mohammed Shareef Kath Marston, Executive Director, Technology Partners Alex Pore, Senior Director, Business Integration, RelaDyne Stephen Webster, President, CEO, Founder, SIS Holdings Group

Mindy Simon’s path from a Nebraska farm to her current role as Chief Operating Officer of Aon, where she helms a 22,000-person global operation, is anything but conventional—and that's exactly what makes her story so compelling. Mindy’s a great example of how embracing your roots can empower your future, and in this episode, we are shining a light on why she is the kind of transformational leader everyone wants on their team. We’re unpacking Mindy’s transformational leadership playbook, which is built around a people-first mindset, a sharp focus on measurable outcomes, and a rare calmness under pressure. We’ll also explore how she has successfully led in finance, IT, and operations across multiple industries; how she ties technology to business growth; and what it takes to truly deliver value in a fast-moving, data-rich world. Check out Mindy’s Investor Day talk (Jump to 02:17:25 in the video) Tune in for valuable learnings from Mindy’s career, including: Early startup lessons and transformation at ConAgra Tying IT investments to measurable business outcomes How Aon is embedding AI across the client journey How and why Mindy applies a people-first mindset to leading Why disrupting yourself is better than being disrupted Featuring submitted questions from: Steve Zerby, Award-Winning CIO, Advisor, Guest for Episode 17 Annie Baymiller, CIO, Owens Corning, Guest for Episode 17 Greg Case, Chief Executive Officer, Aon Andi Karaboutis, 4x Board Director, 3x CIO, Guest for Episode 68

In this episode we’re shining the light on the leadership superpowers and industry impact of Diane Schwarz, Group CIO of Smurfit Westrock, a global leader in sustainable packaging. Diane’s leadership style is a unique blend of calm confidence, strategic clarity, and operational excellence that turns traditional roles inside out. You’ll hear why those around her refer to her not just as a CIO but as a Chief Integration Officer, Chief Inspiration Officer, Chief Innovation Officer, and more. We will unpack how Diane masterfully led the IT integration of two global giants, and we’ll dig into her philosophies on listening deeply, mentoring with intention, and showing up with authenticity and vulnerability. Tune in for insights and wisdom from Diane’s journey, including: The power of clarity and assigning decision-making ownership How duct tape can make you a better listener The art of reading a room and unlocking team dynamics Her approach as a Chief Instigation Officer and “going where the water doesn’t flow” Featuring submitted questions from: Nari Thouda, CIO, Johnson Controls Federal Systems Kim Mackenroth, CIO, L3Harris Technologies, Guest for Episode 21 Mamatha Chamarthi, Chief Digital Officer for The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company Angela Yochem, Global CIO, Krispy Kreme, Guest for Episode 2 Alice Brauckman, Senior Director IT, Digital Acceleration, Smurfit Westrock Sobha Mulukutla, VP IT, Global Products & Supply Chain, Johnson Controls Marina Bellini, President, MGS & Digital Technologies for Mars, Guest for Episode 39

In this episode of Tech Whisperers, we are joined by two experts who are shaping the future of AI in the enterprise, Dr. Lisa Palmer, CEO of Dr. Lisa AI, and Ashwin Rangan, CEO at DoubleCheck Solutions. Lisa and Ash are sharing a wealth of practical, actionable insights to help us uncover why AI initiatives stall out at the “messy middle” and what leaders can do to reignite progress and start generating real business value. Not only have both Lisa and Ashwin walked in the shoes of a CIO, they are also the authors of new books that will help you lead with clarity, confidence, and conviction in the AI era. Lisa’s book, Show AI, Don’t Tell It: Build Buy‑In with Visual Storytelling, releases on September 30 and is available now for preorder on her website. Ashwin’s book, Governance in the Age of Gen AI: A Director's Handbook on Gen AI, is available now on Amazon and at Barnes & Noble. Tune in as we dig deep on AI at the intersection of technology, strategy, and leadership, featuring Lisa’s and Ash’s insights on: The “Speed with Rigor” Principle The power of Right-to-Left thinking The key to sustaining momentum with AI The long-term metrics that matter The most important questions boards and CEOs should be asking about AI investments

Over the past three years, we’ve had the privilege to sit down with more than 100 of the most visionary and impactful technology leaders across industries. They've shared their bold strategies and hard-earned lessons, and unpacked playbooks that are continuing to shape the future of leadership and innovation. In this special “Best of the Best” episode, we’ve curated some of the top insights from our most listened-to episodes. From mastering the fundamentals of digital transformation to future-proofing organizations, balancing people and technology, resisting AI hype, and embracing adaptability, these episodes demonstrate the power of guiding principles in a noisy, constantly changing world.