Wired for Change

What does it really take to change — yourself, your team, or your organization?In this episode of Wired for Change, host Amy Yee speaks with Jill Reilly, author of the upcoming book The 10 Permissions, about why transformation begins with giving ourselves permission first.Drawing from three decades of global work — from South Africa’s transition to democracy to leading HIV/AIDS programs in Zimbabwe and advising boardrooms — Jill shares how change is rarely linear and why permission is the missing ingredient for lasting transformation.You’ll hear:Why inaction is wildly draining and how to reclaim energy.The difference between routine correction and routine adaptation in culture.How to practice micro-permissions that unlock change in everyday life.Why permission is a 21st-century skillset for leaders and organizations.If you’ve ever hesitated to speak up, lead boldly, or take the first step toward transformation, this conversation will inspire you to rethink what’s possible.📕 Jill’s book The 10 Permissions launches mid-September.https://www.amazon.com/Ten-Permissions-Redefining-Adulting-Century/dp/1963827295

Ransomware is no longer just smash-and-grab — it’s a long game. Attackers are more persistent, better resourced, and increasingly using "Ransomware as a Service" to scale their impact.In this episode of Wired for Change, Amy Yee is joined by Greg Davison (Mimic) and Jarett Parent (C3SA) to explore why organizations must rethink how they defend critical systems. From closing the 20% detection gap to preparing boards for tough questions, this conversation highlights practical strategies for CISOs, IT leaders, and executives who need resilience today.Chapters:00:00 – The Modern Ransomware Landscape05:00 – Mimic’s Origin Story & Mission09:00 – The Mimic–C3SA Partnership12:00 – Deflection vs Detection: A New Defense Strategy19:00 – AI, Innovation, and the Next Wave of Threats26:00 – What Boards & CISOs Need to Ask36:00 – The Future of Cyber Resilience41:00 – Final ReflectionsFor more information about C3SA: https://c3sa.comFor more information about Mimic: https://mimic.com/

OKRs and rigid performance targets are supposed to help teams focus — but too often, they push us toward short-term wins that chip away at our long-term vision.In this episode of Wired for Change, host Amy Yee talks with Radhika Dutt, author of Radical Product Thinking, about why conventional goal setting can unintentionally kill innovation and how to replace it with a more powerful approach: puzzle setting and puzzle solving.We explore:Why goals can create “vision debt” and performance theaterHow reframing projects as puzzles unlocks curiosity and collaborationReal-world examples from startups, global companies, and regulatorsPractical tools to keep products and transformations vision-drivenHow to foster psychological safety so teams can question, adapt, and innovateIf you’ve ever hit your targets but felt further from your mission, this conversation will help you move beyond the checkbox and make real progress.Episode guest: Radhika Dutt – Author, Radical Product Thinking

As artificial intelligence becomes part of how Canadians access mental health care, trust, safety, and inclusion have never mattered more.In this episode of Wired for Change, Amy Yee speaks with Maureen Abbott, Director of Innovation at the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC). Together, they explore how digital tools can expand access to care while protecting the dignity and privacy of every user.You’ll hear about:Canada’s new e-Mental Health Strategy and its six priorities for ethical innovationHow the MHCC is developing AI guidance to safeguard mental health and substance-use careThe risks of unregulated chatbots — and the tragic lessons shaping safer designCultural safety, lived experience, and app-assessment frameworks that build public trustWhy human oversight still matters in an age of machine empathyFrom Stepped Care 2.0 to late-night peer-support apps that save lives, this conversation dives deep into what it really means to design for trust — and to build a digital future Canadians can believe in.🎙️ Hosted by Amy Yee📍 Guest: Maureen Abbott, Director of Innovation, Mental Health Commission of Canada🔗 Explore more episodes at wired-for-change.com

How do you build digital trust in one of the world’s most complex and high-stakes industries?In this episode of Wired for Change, cybersecurity meets transformation as host Amy Yee sits down with Iain Paterson, CISO (Chief Information Security Officer) at Well Health Technologies—a digital health leader managing thousands of clinics and software assets across North America.From his early days in banking and red-team operations to leading cyber strategy in healthcare, Iain shares a masterclass in resilience, risk, and culture.They explore:How healthcare’s digital expansion reshapes risk and resilienceWhy cybersecurity must be treated as a team sport built on “shared fate”The new frontier of AI-driven threats and agentic AI inside organizationsWhat small and mid-sized businesses can learn from healthcare’s cyber evolutionWhy trust—not technology—is the real foundation of digital transformationThis episode is a must-listen for CISOs, healthcare innovators, and anyone navigating the intersection of cybersecurity, leadership, and change.Keywords: CISO, cybersecurity, digital health, resilience, risk management, AI agents, leadership, transformation, digital trust, Well Health Technologies, Iain Paterson, Amy Yee

Trust isn’t just earned — it’s engineered.In this fifth installment of the Digital Transformation Dream Team series, host Amy Yee explores how cybersecurity, privacy, and systems thinking come together to build transformations people can believe in.Meet three essential archetypes:The Cyber Defender (Winston Churchill) — protecting systems and foresight under siegeThe Trust Guardian (George Orwell) — designing for dignity, transparency, and human rights in a data-driven worldThe Systems Steward (Rachel Carson) — anticipating long-term impact and unintended consequences across interconnected systemsFrom wartime radar to Orwellian warnings to environmental foresight, this episode reveals the care and courage it takes to engineer trust — and what happens when those values are ignored.🔗 Learn more at wired-for-change.com

What happens when the lights go out?In this episode of Wired for Change, host Amy Yee sits down with Cheryl Biswas, Strategic Threat Intelligence Specialist, to explore the real-world impact of cyber threats on critical infrastructure — from power grids and water supplies to hospitals and financial systems.Cheryl shares her personal journey into cybersecurity, sparked by the discovery of Stuxnet, and explains why threat intelligence is not just about collecting data but about providing context, meaning, and timely action. Together, they dive into:How nation-state adversaries exploit fear and disruptionThe lessons of Stuxnet, Ukraine’s power grid attacks, and Volt TyphoonWhy OT/ICS systems present unique risks for critical infrastructureHow tabletop exercises expose hidden organizational gapsThe role of diversity, community, and the next generation of cyber defendersThis conversation connects geopolitics, technology, and human psychology — reminding us that defending critical infrastructure is ultimately about protecting the things of life.🔔 Subscribe to Wired for Change for more conversations on digital transformation, cybersecurity, and resilience.

The Hon. Sergio Marchi has lived a remarkable public life — from community activist and city councillor to federal cabinet minister and Canadian ambassador. Now, in his new book Pursuing a Public Life, he reflects on three decades in politics and diplomacy, and makes a call to action for a new generation of leaders.In this conversation with host Amy Yee on Wired for Change, Marchi shares candid lessons on trust, compromise, and perseverance, and explains why, despite today’s cynicism, politics can still be a force for positive change. From his early activism to leading in the environment, trade, and immigration portfolios, Marchi explores both the challenges and the satisfactions of public service.📖 Pursuing a Public Life launches November 4 and is available now for pre-order on Indigo, Chapters, and Amazon.🔔 Subscribe to Wired for Change for more conversations on transformation, leadership, and the people shaping our future.

Leadership drift is real — teams start aligned, but over time priorities shift, communication breaks down, and performance slips.In this episode, Amy Yee talks with Michelle Chambers about how leaders can recognize the signs of drift, rebuild alignment, and coach their teams back to high performance.Practical insights on:Change leadership vs. change managementSpotting early warning signs of driftBuilding trust, psychological safety, and resilienceA must-listen for anyone leading through transformation.

In this episode of Wired for Change, host Amy Yee explores what it really takes to keep transformation efforts on track when things get messy — because they always do.When priorities shift, trust falters, or unexpected disruptions hit, how do you build a team that can bend without breaking?Amy introduces three essential roles from her Digital Transformation Dream Team framework:🔹 The Adaptive Organization Designer – Inspired by Florence Nightingale, rethinking team structures and systems under pressure🔹 The Velocity Catalyst – With lessons from Taiichi Ohno, removing friction and building trust and momentum🔹 The Strategic Diplomat – Channeling Eleanor Roosevelt to keep alignment, trust, and tough conversations on trackWhether you're leading digital transformation, designing resilient organizations, or just trying to adapt to rapid change, this episode offers practical insights rooted in real-world experience — and a few historical surprises.🎧 Subscribe and explore more at: www.wired-for-change.com#DigitalTransformation #OrganizationalDesign #Leadership #SystemsThinking #ChangeLeadership #WiredForChange

What does it take to lead transformation in one of the most complex, high-stakes environments in the public sector?In this episode of Wired for Change, Amy is joined by Derek Dobson, a veteran strategist and defence innovation leader, to explore how change really happens inside the Canadian defence sector. From his military background to his current work at the systems level, Derek offers a rare perspective on how leadership, policy, and emerging technologies intersect.Together, they discuss:Mission command and agile leadership in high-pressure environmentsCivilian vs military mindsets when navigating risk and innovationThe shift from platform-centric to data-centric defence strategiesRethinking ROI in national security: what are we really buying?Why AI, cyber resilience, and digital sovereignty demand new thinkingThe realities of innovation procurement in CanadaWhat we can learn from both the battlefield and the boardroomIf you care about public sector innovation, complex system transformation, or defence and sovereignty in the digital age, this conversation is for you.🎧 Subscribe for more episodes on digital leadership, systems thinking, and meaningful change.

Mastering the Mental Game of Leading Change – with Jennifer Selby LongWhat separates high-performing leaders during transformation? According to executive coach Jennifer Selby Long, it's not just strategy or execution—it's mindset.In this episode of Wired For Change, we explore the human side of change leadership, drawing powerful lessons from performance psychology and the world of elite athletes. Jennifer shares insights from decades of coaching senior leaders and transformation teams, unpacking what it takes to lead through uncertainty, resistance, and rapid change.🎯 Topics include:The difference between change management and change leadershipHow neuroscience explains team resistance—and how to respondWhy mindset is crucial for staying focused and effectiveBuilding trust and influence with reluctant stakeholdersTelling better stories that engage and align your organizationThe role of AI in supporting (and not replacing) human leadershipHow to develop self-awareness, resilience, and emotional groundingWhether you're leading digital transformation, navigating high-stakes change, or just trying to stay steady amid chaos—this episode is packed with insight and practical wisdom.📩 Guest: Jennifer Selby Long🔗 Learn more at selbygroup.com

What does it really take to scale a company wisely?In this episode of Wired for Change, host Amy Yee sits down with tech industry veteran and former CEO Rich Napoli to explore the critical decisions leaders face at every stage of organizational growth. From deciding how much structure is too much (or too little), to knowing when a role—or a person—no longer fits, Rich brings decades of hard-won insights from growing companies across multiple sizes and sectors.We talk about:Why organizations need the right-sized structure at each growth stageHow to avoid growing too fast—or staying too small for too longHiring the right first five people and building culture from day oneWhat to do when early team members no longer scale with the businessHow to build scaffolding that supports growth without smothering itThe CEO’s evolving role as organizations matureRich shares powerful analogies—from biology to startups—and candid stories from his time leading product development, scaling teams, and helping companies navigate high-stakes transitions.If you're a founder, executive, or transformation leader trying to make the right calls at the right stage, this episode is full of insights you won’t want to miss.🎧 Listen now and subscribe to Wired for Change for more conversations on scaling, transformation, and leading through complexity.

What do Julius Caesar, Walt Disney, and Nikola Tesla have in common?They each represent a timeless role in making complex systems actually work — especially when you're leading large-scale transformation or trying to unite tech and strategy.In this episode of the Digital Transformation Dream Team series, we explore three essential archetypes:🏛 The Systems Orchestrator – Julius Caesar: Designed governance models that scaled across a massive empire🎢 The Experience Designer – Walt Disney: Transformed both customer and employee experience through intentional service design⚡ The Tech Trailblazer – Nikola Tesla: Constantly pushed the edge of what’s possible and made it realThese roles ensure your strategy doesn’t get lost in translation, and your systems don’t collapse under complexity.Listen in to learn:How to recognize and support each of these roles on your teamWhy transformation efforts fail without this balanceWhat lessons history’s most visionary builders can teach us todayExplore the full mini-series videos at: https://youtube.com/@wired-for-changeBonus content at: https://amyeyee.substack.com/📬 Subscribe to get future episodes and insights from Wired for Change

As AI and cybersecurity threats grow more complex, the talent pool in governance, risk, and compliance is shrinking. GRC expert Shruti Mukherjee joins host Amy Yee to explore why professionals are leaving, what’s at stake, and how we can build a risk-savvy culture before it’s too late.

What if innovation started not with faster technology, but with deeper values?In this special episode of Wired for Change, host Amy Yee takes you inside Carleton University’s Abilities Living Lab—a space where accessibility, community, and cutting-edge research converge to reimagine what innovation can be. Joined by lab director and biomedical engineering professor Dr. Adrian Chan (who also happened to be Amy’s professor during her undergrad in engineering!), we explore how this unique lab is pushing the boundaries of inclusive, multidisciplinary design.Together, we tour a vibrant and flexible research environment where:🔹 AI-powered motion capture helps refine powered prosthetics🔹 Infection prevention environments are co-designed with front-line users🔹 Musical instruments are built for people of all abilities—no training required🔹 Early-stage work is exploring 3D-printed food for people with swallowing disorders🔹 Rehab robotics are making stroke recovery safer and more effective🔹 And researchers, designers, healthcare professionals, and community members collaborate as equalsBut this lab is about more than emerging technology. As Dr. Chan explains, accessibility isn’t just about functional independence—it’s about living fully. Music. Food. Sports. Culture. Joy. These aren’t extras—they’re essential parts of life. And this lab was built to reflect that philosophy at every level, from layout to lighting to the kinds of research questions being asked.Whether you're in healthcare, design, engineering, public innovation, or policy—this episode offers a living example of how inclusive, values-driven transformation can take shape when community is at the center.📍 Wired for Change | Episode 14🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube & more📺 Watch the full lab tour on YouTube: https://youtu.be/iA7y2XbBYCs#InclusiveInnovation #Accessibility #DigitalHealth #BiomedicalEngineering #HealthTech #AssistiveTech #HumanCenteredDesign #InnovationLeadership #WiredForChange

Karen Moore, founder of Sounding Board and adjunct professor at Fordham University School of Law, joins Wired for Change to explore the rising complexity of compliance in a volatile global landscape. From sanctions and trade disruptions to nationalism and climate-driven instability, she unpacks the evolving risk environment facing today’s organizations.We discuss:Geopolitical upheaval and its impact on business operationsShifting enforcement priorities in the EU, Asia, and Latin AmericaThe role of compliance leaders in connecting the dots across disciplinesWhy behavioral science, marketing, and moral courage all belong in modern compliance programs🎧 Watch or listen to Compliance in a Changing World: Nationalism, Sanctions, and Global Risk for insights into the future of compliance leadership.

The Human Side of Change – Culture, Courage, and ConnectionTransformation Dream Team – Episode 2What really drives change? It’s not just strategy or technology—it’s people.In this episode of Wired for Change, Amy Yee explores the human infrastructure behind successful transformation through three powerful archetypes:The Change Leader – Inspires belief and momentum (John F. Kennedy)The Change Navigator – Guides teams through complexity (Empress Dowager Cixi)The Change Whisperer – Builds trust from within (Harriet Tubman)Blending history, leadership insights, and real-world transformation stories, Amy helps listeners recognize these roles in their own work and understand why culture, courage, and connection are essential to making change stick.Whether you’re leading change or living through it, this episode will help you:Identify the human roles that make transformation workReflect on your own role in changeUnderstand how to build a dream team for lasting impact🎧 Follow for more episodes in the Transformation Dream Team series.

🎙️ Wrestling with Privacy – with Dr. Sophia MullerWhy is privacy still so hard to implement—even when everyone agrees it matters?In this episode of Wired for Change, host Amy Yee sits down with privacy expert Dr. Sophia Muller to unpack the real-world challenges organizations face when trying to make privacy principles stick. From legacy systems to culture clashes and checkbox compliance, we explore what gets in the way—and how to move forward.👥 Who this episode is for:– Leaders navigating digital transformation– Privacy officers and compliance teams– Anyone tired of hearing “privacy by design” without seeing it in action🔍 Topics covered:– Why privacy initiatives stall– The myth of the perfect checklist– How to embed privacy into real-world workflows– The hidden cultural blockers no one talks aboutThis conversation is practical, sharp, and surprisingly hopeful.

Exploring AI, Adaptive Leadership, and the Power of Questions with Chris ShipleyWhat does it take to lead through continuous change—when even the roadmap is evolving?In this episode of Wired for Change, I sit down with Chris Shipley, an accomplished author - most recently The Empathy Advantage: Leading the Empowered Workforce- and seasoned leader with over 30 years of experience at the intersection of technology, journalism and innovation - to reflect on the evolving demands of leadership in an AI-driven world.We explore:Why adaptive leadership and vulnerability matter now more than everThe underestimated power of asking better questionsHow provider-sponsored health plans are navigating AI transformationWhat it means to move forward with intent, even when the path keeps shiftingHow leaders can balance hope, honesty, and uncertaintyRecorded in-person in Dallas at the Health Plan Alliance AI Accelerator kickoff, this episode is rich with real-world insight, memorable metaphors, and the kind of candor that today’s transformation leaders are craving.🔔 Subscribe for more episodes on digital transformation, innovation, and change that matters.#AIleadership #DigitalTransformation #HealthTech #AdaptiveLeadership #WiredForChange #ChrisShipley #AIinHealthcare #LeadershipDevelopment #OrganizationalChange