Disruptive Innovators: Champions of Digital Business - CIO & IT Leader Interviews, Digital Transformation, Digital Innovation

Walt Carter, President of THG Advisors, discusses effective leadership and business transformation with David Wright, as well as the systems required to address disruptive challenges. Walt shares his journey across technology, marketing and consulting, emphasizing why systematized leadership and empowered teams are essential to real sustainable change. The conversation covers lessons from Walt’s new book “Stop Driving Behind Idiots,” real-world strategies for fostering cultures of trust, and how leadership must adapt to an increasingly complex digital landscape.Key Takeaways:00:00 Introduction.04:56 Cross-industry experience sparks innovation in stagnant sectors.09:04 Employee disengagement drives high transformation failure rates.13:48 Leadership systems must consider real culture and behavior.18:24 Disempowering frontline leaders paralyzes organizational innovation.23:00 Emotional intelligence is now essential for digital leaders.27:56 Lasting change requires grassroots stakeholder engagement and trust.32:04 Humility and “not knowing” strengthen connected leadership.36:52 Political sponsorship is crucial for driving effective change.41:40 Mature teams require connection, collaboration and vision alignment.Resources Mentioned:Walt Carterhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/waltergcarter/THG Advisors | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/thgadvisors/THG Advisors | Websitehttps://www.thgadvisor.com“Stop Driving Behind Idiots" by Walt Carterhttps://books.google.com.ph/books/about/Stop_Driving_Behind_Idiots.html?id=sZ5N0QEACAAJ&redir_esc=yThanks for listening to the “Disruptive Innovators” podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the Champions of Digital Business.#DisruptiveInnovation #Innovation #DisruptiveTech #DigitalBusiness

Greg Townsend, Senior Vice President, Chief Data Officer and Analytics Officer of AltaMed Health Services, sits down with David Wright to share how data and analytics can drive meaningful organizational change. From governance and scalability to risk modeling and AI adoption, Greg explains how his team aligns strategy and operations to deliver consistent value.Key Takeaways:00:00 Introduction.03:42 Regular value demonstration aligns with strategic missions effectively.08:48 Performance improvement work led to a data analytics career path.15:12 Curiosity and communication drive professional success consistently.20:45 Servant leadership approach develops highly dedicated employees.25:37 Wisdom means understanding both knowledge and limitations clearly.30:18 Vision provides care access to underserved patient populations.33:24 Data governance enables scalability across complex organizations.35:49 AI ambient listening improves provider documentation dramatically.38:15 Healthcare financing uncertainty creates major strategic challenges.Resources Mentioned:Greg Townsendhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-townsend-4aa8466/AltaMed Health Services | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/altamed-health-services/AltaMed Health Services | Websitehttp://www.altamed.orgThanks for listening to the “Disruptive Innovators” podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the Champions of Digital Business.#DisruptiveInnovation #Innovation #DisruptiveTech #DigitalBusiness

David Wright speaks with Karl Mosgofian, Advisor at RampCIO. Karl reflects on his career journey, the expanding scope of the CIO role, and the realities of leading in an era shaped by AI expectations. He emphasizes the importance of empathy, stakeholder alignment and prioritization as essential skills for technology leaders.Key Takeaways:00:00 Introduction.04:45 Empathy is underrated in leadership success.08:50 SaaS shifted IT into a facilitator role.11:42 CIOs face the gap between AI hype and reality.15:48 Transformation fails without full business buy-in.21:48 Cultures of fear keep organizations reactive and not strategic.26:40 Leadership requires prioritization over debating importance.32:02 AI ROI expectations often lack measurable results.36:36 Strong CIO networks provide invaluable peer support.Resources Mentioned:Karl Mosgofianhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/karl-mosgofian-4594a2/RampCIO | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/ramp-cio/RampCIO | Websitehttp://www.rampcio.comThanks for listening to the “Disruptive Innovators” podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the Champions of Digital Business.#DisruptiveInnovation #Innovation #DisruptiveTech #DigitalBusiness

In this episode, David Wright sits down with Ken Knapton, Chief Information Officer of Win Brands (Costa Vida / FatCats), to explore the evolution from individual contributor to strategic team leader in enterprise IT environments. They delve into overcoming organizational resistance to change, particularly when implementing shared services across multi-location businesses. Ken reveals how personal growth and humility transformed his leadership approach, while David and Ken examine the challenges CIOs face when stakeholders misunderstand collaborative IT initiatives and unfairly assign security ownership solely to technology leaders.Key Takeaways:00:00 Introduction.08:57 Early career transitions create the foundation for future success.10:21 Type A personalities must evolve beyond an individual achievement focus.13:04 Preconceived solutions limit openness to better architectural approaches.15:51 Personal challenges become catalysts for significant leadership growth.23:34 Multi-location enterprises need experienced IT leadership beyond directors.24:39 Shared services require understanding differences, not enforcing sameness.34:36 CEO expectations often misalign with collaborative IT initiative requirements.34:11 IT leaders face an unfair ownership burden for enterprise security.Resources Mentioned:Ken Knaptonhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kenknapton/Costa Vida | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/costa-vida/Costa Vida | Websitehttps://www.costavida.com/FatCats | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/fatcats/FatCats | Websitehttps://www.fatcatsfun.com/Thanks for listening to the “Disruptive Innovators” podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the Champions of Digital Business.#DisruptiveInnovation #Innovation #DisruptiveTech #DigitalBusiness

Holly Hon, Senior Vice President of Operations at Entertainment Partners, joins David Wright to explore how strategic execution, data-driven leadership and cross-functional collaboration shape long-term success. Holly shares lessons from transforming services into scalable product organizations, building AI readiness through data governance and advocating for enterprise-wide change — all with a mindset rooted in continuous learning and purposeful leadership.Key Takeaways:(04:22) Good ideas don’t succeed without execution and sustained effort.(12:09) A flawed cost allocation model nearly led to the sunsetting of a profitable product.(13:33) Holly spent three years convincing leadership to fix the model — and succeeded.(15:24) Treating “no” as “not yet” when pursuing critical change.(19:52) At Rackspace, Holly pitched HIPAA-compliant cloud hosting ahead of its time.(24:58) Leadership isn’t earned by tenure. It’s a privilege that requires intention and purpose.(30:23) Strengthening data governance is foundational to enabling responsible AI.(38:42) Adopting a practice mindset helps leaders overcome impostor syndrome and grow sustainably.Resources Mentioned:Holly Honhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/hollyhon/Entertainment Partners | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/entertainment-partners/Entertainment Partners | Websitehttps://www.ep.com/Thanks for listening to the “Disruptive Innovators” podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the Champions of Digital Business.#DisruptiveInnovation #Innovation #DisruptiveTech #DigitalBusiness

Host David Wright talks to Breno Gentil, Strategic Advisor of C.I.KNOW, whose previous roles include Global CTO of British American Tobacco and Senior Director of Digital and Technology at Heineken. Breno shares lessons from his global career leading transformation across consumer goods and explains why simplifying tech is core to IT leadership today. From AI hype to sailing analogies, this conversation dives into the people-centered realities behind digital progress.Key Takeaways:(06:12) People, not technology, are the core challenge in digital transformations.(09:23) Understanding customer pain points often unlocks the most valuable innovations.(16:10) Stoicism helps leaders focus energy on what they can control.(20:31) Sailing teaches adaptability and presence — vital traits for digital leaders.(23:55) Don’t get too attached to tech products that aren’t scalable.(27:04) The gap between business and tech leaders still fuels transformation failure.(30:45) Complex tech terminology alienates users and blocks adoption and alignment.(33:20) Communication skills matter more than technical skills in IT leadership today.(35:24) Tech leaders face constant reinvention unlike other corporate functions today.(40:19) Self-awareness and emotional intelligence boost leadership effectiveness and team impact.Resources Mentioned:Breno Gentilhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/bg-digital/C.I.KNOW | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/ciknow/C.I. Know | Websitehttps://www.ciknow.com/Thanks for listening to the “Disruptive Innovators” podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the Champions of Digital Business.#DisruptiveInnovation #Innovation #DisruptiveTech #DigitalBusiness

Ramesh Razdan, Global CIO/CTO of Bain & Company, joins David Wright to share how a foundation of humility, gratitude and servant leadership has shaped his journey from rural Kashmir to leading global technology transformation. They discuss managing change at scale, fostering collaboration across geographies and functions and how emerging technologies like AI can unlock personalized solutions in areas like healthcare.Key Takeaways:(03:10) Leaders must prioritize their physical and mental well-being.(08:55) Career progression requires readiness, not just achievement.(09:45) Growth is shaped by how we respond to challenges.(14:18) Collaboration between business and tech is essential for impact.(16:13) Adapting to rapid change is a critical leadership skill.(20:28) Innovation opens new possibilities for long-standing problems.(24:13) A growth mindset enables resilience in complexity.(27:22) Leadership today depends on communication, not control.(32:04) Sustainable success begins with self-care and perspective.Resources Mentioned:Ramesh Razdanhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/rameshrazdan/Bain & Company | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/bain-and-company/Bain & Company | Websitehttp://www.bain.com“Search Inside Yourself” by Chade-Meng Tanhttps://www.amazon.com/Search-Inside-Yourself-Unexpected-Achieving/dp/0062116932Warren Buffett and Bill Gates on Time Managementhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxKB-1G2v1wThanks for listening to the “Disruptive Innovators” podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the Champions of Digital Business.#DisruptiveInnovation #Innovation #DisruptiveTech #DigitalBusiness

A technologist who embraces business leadership, prioritizes humility over ego and learns to truly let go can drive lasting transformation.Brad Sexton, Chief Information Officer of Terrible's, joins David Wright to talk about leadership, innovation and the realities of driving digital transformation in a diverse, fast-paced organization. Brad shares lessons learned from a career spanning government, hospitality and retail, offering practical insights on team empowerment and the importance of actionable data. The discussion covers how Terrible's deliberately different approach fuels growth, the challenges of integrating legacy systems and the value of learning from every member of the organization.Key Takeaways:(03:30) Listen to everyone and let good ideas lead.(13:42) Empathy and humility strengthen leadership effectiveness.(20:05) Leaders must learn to delegate and release control.(27:16) Broadening perspectives helps drive better decision-making.(29:59) Communication between technical and business teams is essential.(33:16) Timeless leadership principles remain highly relevant.(38:30) Leading innovation requires adaptability across business areas.(45:17) Data must be actionable to be useful.(53:04) Patience is a critical part of long-term success.Resources Mentioned:Brad Sextonhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/bradsexton1/Terrible's | Linkhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/terribles/Terrible’s | Websitehttp://www.terribles.comColin Powell’s 13 Rules of Leadershiphttps://www.score.org/greaterphoenix/resource/blog-post/a-salute-colin-powells-13-rules-leadershipThanks for listening to the “Disruptive Innovators” podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the Champions of Digital Business.#DisruptiveInnovation #Innovation #DisruptiveTech #DigitalBusiness

This week, David Wright is joined by Dr. Aalpen Patel, Chief Clinical and Innovation Officer of MedQuest Associates. Dr. Patel shares insights on innovation in healthcare, particularly in radiology, and discusses his journey from engineering to medicine. Dr. Patel emphasizes the importance of innovation in addressing healthcare challenges.Key Takeaways:(04:06) Removing the word "impossible" from your mindset and focusing on finding solutions rather than obstacles.(05:53) Overcoming challenges and adapting to new environments can shape resilience and work ethic.(08:31) Engineering principles can play a significant role in driving medical innovation.(10:08) AI and mathematical modeling can be used to improve diagnostics and risk stratification in healthcare.(13:41) Personalized medicine can increase positivity rates and potentially benefit healthcare margins.(25:01) Workforce shortages in radiology require innovative solutions such as remote workflows and AI augmentation.(27:06) AI can help reduce burnout by augmenting radiologists' work rather than increasing their workload.(31:49) The future of healthcare will likely involve AI at the center of innovation, improving efficiency and outcomes.Resources Mentioned:Dr. Aalpen Patel https://www.linkedin.com/in/aalpenpatel/MedQuest Associates | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/medquest-associates/MedQuest Associates | Websitehttps://www.mqimaging.comBecker's Healthcarehttps://www.asccommunications.com/Mediumhttps://medium.com/EE Timeshttps://www.eetimes.com/SquawkBoxhttps://www.cnbc.com/squawk-box-us/?msockid=014c12082de5636d164800ce2c5e6294Thanks for listening to the “Disruptive Innovators” podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the Champions of Digital Business.#DisruptiveInnovation #Innovation #DisruptiveTech #DigitalBusiness

Sandra Powell-Elliott, Chief Innovation and Commercialization Officer at Hackensack Meridian Health, joins David Wright to discuss the intersection of innovation, AI, and commercialization in healthcare. With a background spanning administration, business strategy, and technology adoption, she shares insights on how health systems can embrace automation, foster an innovation-driven culture, and transform care delivery.Key Takeaways:(03:33) Diving into a problem makes finding solutions easier.(06:32) Connecting over key problems can help break down silos.(10:32) Importance of distinctions between managing and leading.(13:14) Cutting costs alone won’t drive success — growth and innovation are key.(16:42) AI should be leveraged as an assistive tool, not just a buzzword.(20:09) Learning to say “no” is a crucial skill in leadership and innovation.(27:55) Driving transformation by pulling together research and innovation.(30:42) Creating an innovative culture starts with engaging all employees as problem solvers.(36:44) Nurses’ workarounds often reveal scalable innovations that can improve efficiency.(39:03) Healthcare’s future lies in personalized, in-home diagnostics and treatment.(40:55) Business models must evolve for health systems to sustain preventive care.Resources Mentioned:Sandra Powell-Elliotthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/sandra-powell-elliott-999a609/Hackensack Meridian Health | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/hackensackmeridianhealth/Hackensack Meridian Health | Websitehttps://www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/en/“The Heat Will Kill You First” by Jeff Goodellhttps://www.amazon.com/Heat-Will-Kill-You-First/dp/0316497576“Freedom” by Sebastian Jungerhttps://www.amazon.com/Freedom-Sebastian-Junger/dp/1982153415Thanks for listening to the “Disruptive Innovators” podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the Champions of Digital Business.#DisruptiveInnovation #Innovation #DisruptiveTech #DigitalBusiness

This week, David Wright is joined by Farnaz Ronaghi, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer at NovoEd, to discuss how AI transforms employee learning, the shift in enterprise SaaS and the key leadership lessons she has learned while scaling a company. They explore the role of curiosity in leadership, the challenges of growing a team and how enterprises are rethinking their approach to learning and development.Key Takeaways:(03:16) Prototyping ideas is easier than ever with AI.(05:17) Finding the right career path takes exploration, persistence and support from mentors and colleagues.(10:18) Every conversation, even difficult ones, can become a learning opportunity.(14:55) Leadership is about creating space for others to own their decisions.(17:03) Agility means knowing when to slow down and when to move fast.(21:42) Traditional SaaS isn’t enough — enterprise tools must integrate seamlessly.(27:43) AI will change employee learning by embedding training into workflows.(34:02) Failure is the best way to grow — learn fast and move forward.Resources Mentioned:Farnaz Ronaghi -https://www.linkedin.com/in/farnazr/NovoEd | LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/novoed/NovoEd | Website -https://novoed.com“Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most” -https://www.amazon.com/Difficult-Conversations-Discuss-What-Matters/dp/0143118447“Continuous Discovery Habits” -https://www.amazon.com/Continuous-Discovery-Habits-Discover-Products/dp/1736633309“Joy of Agility”https://www.amazon.com/Joy-Agility-Problems-Succeed-Sooner/dp/1637742770Thanks for listening to the “Disruptive Innovators” podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the Champions of Digital Business.#DisruptiveInnovation #Innovation #DisruptiveTech #DigitalBusiness

This week, David Wright is joined by Claudionor Coelho Jr., Chief AI Officer at Zscaler, the company running the largest cybersecurity cloud in the world. Together, they discuss the intersection of AI and cybersecurity, the accelerating pace of technological change and how organizations can prepare for an AI-driven future.Key Takeaways:(05:54) Lessons learned from early career failures and how collaboration drives success.(08:36) The rapid acceleration of AI development, from LLMs to generative AI.(15:40) Zscaler processes over half a trillion transactions daily.(21:56) The importance of data lineage in AI systems.(25:51) The need for organizations to treat data organization seriously.(30:40) Addressing the cybersecurity talent shortage with AI automation.(32:25) How generative AI is used by both defenders and attackers in cybersecurity.(36:55) “Life is fluid, and you should enjoy the journey.”Resources Mentioned:Claudionor Coelho Jr. -https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudionor-coelho-jr-b156b01/Zscaler LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/zscaler/Zscaler | Website -https://www.zscaler.comThanks for listening to the “Disruptive Innovators” podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the Champions of Digital Business.#DisruptiveInnovation #Innovation #DisruptiveTech #DigitalBusiness

Pavan Pidugu, Chief Technology Officer of FMCSA at the US Department of Transportation, shares insights from his transformative career, which spans retail leadership and federal government innovation. As CTO, he leads initiatives that enhance safety and efficiency in the transportation industry, driving cultural and technological change.Key Takeaways:(02:31) The importance of fostering a startup culture within government roles.(09:41) How learning from failure and adaptability shapes strong leadership.(15:11) Balancing empathy and tough decision-making as a leader.(19:53) Lessons from implementing cultural and technological transformation at FMCSA.(26:25) Technology is straightforward, but people and processes determine the success of transformations.(36:33) Using identity verification to combat fraud in the trucking industry.(41:04) Leveraging AI and data governance to promote safety and compliance.(45:32) The future of transportation with edge computing and autonomous systems.Resources Mentioned:Pavan Pidugu -https://www.linkedin.com/in/pidugupavan/US Department of Transportation LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/usdot/US Department of Transportation | Website -https://www.transportation.gov/careers“The Autobiography of a Yogi” by Paramahansa Yogananda -https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autobiography_of_a_YogiSwami Vivekananda -https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swami_VivekanandaThanks for listening to the “Disruptive Innovators” podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the Champions of Digital Business.#DisruptiveInnovation #Innovation #DisruptiveTech #DigitalBusiness

Cheryl Johnson, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Betterworks, joins David Wright to share her career journey and leadership lessons. Cheryl discusses embracing challenges, staying grounded and creating human-centered work cultures. She also shares pivotal career moments, including overcoming burnout, navigating startups and driving innovation with AI.Key Takeaways:(03:53) The value of showing up authentically as a leader.(09:40) Leaning into fear creates growth opportunities.(16:32) You don’t have to be ready, just courageous.(23:36) Recovery from burnout requires prioritizing health and mindfulness.(30:42) Humility is key to leadership; no one is a “perfect leader.”(37:15) Building consumer-level ease of use in enterprise tech is essential.(44:47) AI must enhance human work without replacing accountability.(50:08) AI tools can level expectations and unlock innovation.(52:27) Trusting yourself is key to overcoming imposter syndrome.Resources Mentioned:Cheryl Johnson -https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylporro/Betterworks LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/betterworks/Betterworks | Website - https://www.betterworks.com/“The Hard Thing About Hard Things” by Ben Horowitz -https://www.amazon.com/Hard-Thing-About-Things-Building/dp/0062273205Thanks for listening to the “Disruptive Innovators” podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the Champions of Digital Business.#DisruptiveInnovation #Innovation #DisruptiveTech #DigitalBusiness

Ryan Hale, Chief Information Officer at Lithko Contracting, joins David Wright to discuss scaling a business while navigating digital transformation. Lithko, the nation’s second-largest concrete contractor, manages over 500 projects in 22 locations. Ryan reflects on his decade of leadership, sharing lessons on problem-solving, data-driven decision-making and embracing innovation.Key Takeaways:(02:26) Lithko’s projects span warehouses, hospitals and high-rises, fostering local connections in every town.(05:29) “Every day you have to earn it” underscores Ryan’s drive and accountability.(11:04) Leadership involves hiring smart people and embracing humility to solve challenges collaboratively.(17:34) Continuous improvement requires reflecting on failures to refine processes.(29:20) The aging workforce in construction presents a challenge in capturing undocumented expertise.(32:53) Data-driven insights empower newer workers to perform at experienced levels.(40:04) Technologies like drones and augmented reality are transforming construction workflows.(43:17) Scaling requires balancing entrepreneurial spirit with effective governance.(43:51) Leaders must slow down to celebrate achievements while planning for future challenges.(46:01) Saying “yes” to one priority often means saying “no” to another, requiring careful trade-offs.Resources Mentioned:Ryan Hale -https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-hale-8491aa8/Lithko Contracting -https://www.linkedin.com/company/lithko-contracting/Lithko Contracting website -https://www.lithko.com/McKinsey Report on Technology Adoption in Industries -https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/mckinsey-digital/our-insights/the-top-trends-in-techThanks for listening to the Disruptive Innovators podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the Champions of Digital Business.#DisruptiveInnovation #Innovation #DisruptiveTech #DigitalBusiness

In this episode, David Wright is joined by Daniel Burrus, a renowned futurist, author, and Founder and CEO of Burrus Research, Inc. a global research and consulting firm based in Wisconsin. Burrus shares his insights on anticipatory thinking, hard and soft trends, and how businesses can leverage these concepts to remain relevant and future-ready.Key Takeaways:(07:45) Thinking big, then aiming for an even bigger goal.(08:55) The power of failing fast to learn faster.(12:14) Failure fosters growth through resilience and adaptability.(21:27) Defining hard trends as future facts that drive certainty.(23:41) Distinguishing between hard and soft trends in planning.(25:11) Viewing disruption as a choice, not an inevitability.(30:53) Using future facts to confidently innovate and make bold moves.(36:16) Taking an hour a week to unplug from the present and focus on the future.Resources Mentioned:Daniel Burrus -https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielburrus/Burrus Research, Inc. | LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/burrus-research-inc-/Burrus Research, Inc. | Website -https://www.burrus.com/2025 Technology Hard Trends Report -https://www.burrus.com/technology-driven-trends-2/AI Strategy Report -https://www.aistrategyreport.com/ai-report-daniel-burrusFlash Foresight: How to See the Invisible and Do the Impossible by Daniel Burrus -https://www.burrus.com/store/flash-foresight-book/The Anticipatory Organization by Daniel Burrus -https://www.burrus.com/store/the-anticipatory-organization-book/Thanks for listening to the “Disruptive Innovators” podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the Champions of Digital Business.#DisruptiveInnovation #Innovation #DisruptiveTech #DigitalBusiness

Paul Smith, Chief Information Officer of Amnesty International, shares his journey from a working-class background to becoming a leader in digital innovation at one of the world’s largest human rights organizations. With insights into resourcefulness, cybersecurity and global tech solutions, Paul offers a look into managing technology with purpose and resilience.Key Takeaways:(06:06) The importance of leveraging networks for shared knowledge and support.(08:23) Recognizing the value of humility and continuous learning in leadership.(10:38) Managing time effectively is a critical factor in tech project success.(14:03) Closing the digital divide for inclusivity across diverse regions.(18:36) Cybersecurity challenges posed by nation-state actors.(22:54) Leveraging AI to manage large-scale knowledge for human rights protection.(26:57) CIOs evolving as ecosystem leaders, orchestrating connections between people, technology, and services.(27:44) Adopting a forward-thinking mindset toward digital disruption and opportunity.(31:53) Advice to younger self: Step out of comfort zones, engage in networking, and share knowledge.Resources Mentioned:Paul Smith -https://www.linkedin.com/in/pdsmithmba/Amnesty International -https://www.linkedin.com/company/amnesty-international/Amnesty International website -https://www.amnesty.org/“Clearly Agile” by Giles Lindsay -https://clearlyagile.agiledeltaconsulting.com/Thanks for listening to the “Disruptive Innovators” podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the Champions of Digital Business.#DisruptiveInnovation #Innovation #DisruptiveTech #DigitalBusiness

Ingo Paas, CIO and CDO of Green Cargo, shares insights into leading digital transformation within the rail cargo industry. Green Cargo was the winner of the 2023 IDC Future Enterprise Best in Future of Digital Infrastructure EMEA Award. Ingo has been at the forefront of leveraging AI to innovate and transform traditional industries, showcasing how digital infrastructure can support scalable and sustainable solutions.Key Takeaways:(04:10) Don’t underestimate transformational changes in technology, especially AI.(09:32) Ingo’s experience of raising his son with a rare genetic condition taught him to find purpose in difficult challenges and drive change.(16:19) Finding a purpose larger than oneself leads to more fulfilling and meaningful achievements.(20:44) Building a cloud-based platform using OpenAI and graph technology.(22:49) Modernizing core infrastructure and moving it to the cloud.(25:14) Autonomy, trust and accountability are key leadership principles at Green Cargo.(27:05) Strategy needs to be flexible to adapt to rapid changes in technology.(31:47) Many leaders underestimate the disruptive potential of technological change.Resources Mentioned:Ingo Paas -https://www.linkedin.com/in/ingo-paas-aa655a9/Green Cargo | LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-cargo/Green Cargo website -http://www.greencargo.com/”Digital Composable Enterprises” by Ingo Paas -https://www.amazon.com/DIGITAL-COMPOSABLE-ENTERPRISES-Evolutionary-Organizations/dp/B0C1HRT9XGThanks for listening to the Disruptive Innovators podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the Champions of Digital Business.#DisruptiveInnovation #Innovation #DisruptiveTech #DigitalBusiness

This week, David Wright is joined by Mike Todasco, Visiting Fellow at the James Silberrad Brown Center for Artificial Intelligence at San Diego State University. Mike shares his journey from accountant to leading innovation at PayPal and now, in his current work with AI at San Diego State University. They explore the power of AI tools in driving business effectiveness, the importance of great leadership, and maintaining work-life balance in today's fast-paced environment.Key Takeaways:(03:25) AI tools like ChatGPT can significantly improve productivity.(04:43) Innovation often involves failures; not everything will be a success.(12:47) A great boss is more valuable than a great job.(15:58) Seek bosses who put your growth ahead of the company’s interests.(17:52) Treat employees like adults by offering flexibility and autonomy.(20:40) Work-life balance is critical; family time is non-negotiable.(25:55) Shift your perspective; problems can often become opportunities.(28:41) Reframing rejection can turn it into a positive motivator.(35:47) AI's potential is just starting to be realized in everyday workflows.(40:33) Combining AI models can lead to remarkable, time-saving outcomes.Resources Mentioned:Mike Todasco -https://www.linkedin.com/in/todasco/San Diego State University | LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/school/san-diego-state-university/San Diego State University Website -http://www.sdsu.edu/The Singularity is Nearer -https://www.amazon.com/Singularity-Nearer-Ray-Kurzweil-ebook/dp/B08Y6FYJVYThe Anxious Generation -https://www.amazon.com/Anxious-Generation-Rewiring-Childhood-Epidemic/dp/0593655036Thanks for listening to the Disruptive Innovators podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the Champions of Digital Business.#DisruptiveInnovation #Innovation #DisruptiveTech #DigitalBusiness

David Wright is joined by Scott Murray, Chief Operating Officer at Collective Health, to discuss the future of healthcare. Scott shares insights from his diverse career, spanning roles at Safeway, eBay, and now Collective Health. He emphasizes the importance of leadership, innovation, and customer-centricity in transforming healthcare.Key Takeaways:(03:05) Confronting brutal facts and not letting fear dictate your actions leads to better decision-making.(05:31) Scott's career focuses on uniting people, processes, technology and culture to drive business performance and innovation.(08:43) Collective Health simplifies healthcare by advocating for patients and reducing conflicts with insurance companies.(10:14) Collective Health's focus on transparency and advocacy is improving the healthcare experience.(13:07) Scott learned resilience and the value of teamwork from a career failure and leading eBay's turnaround.(18:17) Lifelong learning and humility are essential for leadership success.(25:10) Collective Health customizes benefit plans based on employer needs, focusing resources on areas with the highest value for employees.(26:54) Collective Health navigates competition with healthcare networks while relying on them, creating a "frenemy" dynamic that requires refining their value proposition.(30:29) Scott predicts future trends in healthcare, including cost reduction and industry consolidation.Resources Mentioned:Scott Murray -https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottmurray0617/Collective Health | LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/collectivehealth/Collective Health | Website -http://collectivehealth.com/“Good to Great” by Jim Collins -https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/76865.Good_to_GreatThanks for listening to the Disruptive Innovators podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the Champions of Digital Business.#DisruptiveInnovation #Innovation #DisruptiveTech #DigitalBusiness