The Disruptive Leader

In this powerful episode of The Disruptive Leader, host Ranya sits down with Katie O'Malley, Founder and Principal Coach of (en)Courage Coaching, for an incredibly raw and insightful conversation about career transformation, workplace toxicity, and the courage to bet on yourself.  Katie opens up about her unconventional journey from a political science major to commercial real estate to experienci...

In this episode, Ranya Barakat speaks with Emma Löfgren, editor of The Local Sweden and deputy managing editor of The Local Europe. Emma shares how journalism can help people find their place in new countries, discussing immigration challenges in Europe, media representation, and the future of news. With insights from her decade at The Local and personal experiences living abroad, Emma offers a fr...

In this episode, Ranya interviews Monica Kamel-Rust, Team Lead and Services Consultant at HubSpot, about her tech industry journey.  Monica shares how her multicultural background and marketing automation expertise drove transformational change across global markets - from American Express's Member-Get-Member program to revolutionizing marketing at Jochen Schweizer mydays Group by reducing cost pe...

In this captivating episode of The Disruptive Leader, we sit down with Deyana P, Director of Digital, Growth, and Product at August and founder of A Mindful Escape.  With over 15 years of experience driving digital Transformation across luxury brands, Deyana shares her remarkable journey from pioneering Bitcoin payments in luxury hotels to creating mindful retreats in the Bulgarian mountains.  Thr...

In this compelling episode of The Disruptive Leader, we explore the remarkable journey of Tara Rule, a former Adobe Senior Director who is now a leadership coach and founder of Tara Rule Ltd.  Tara shares her transition from accountant to tech executive, revealing how saying "yes" to unexpected opportunities transformed her career trajectory.  Her story illuminates the power of human-centered lead...

In this compelling episode of The Disruptive Leader, we dive deep into the world of customer success with Guillermo Arenas, a veteran with 14+ years of experience in SaaS, startups, and B2B.  From navigating between Colombia and the United States early to becoming a key player in HubSpot's Latin American expansion, Guillermo shares insights on building customer loyalty, managing global teams,...

In this compelling episode of The Disruptive Leader, we sit down with Tim Cabrelli, co-founder of Affixxius Films, one of the UK's leading production companies.  Tim shares his remarkable journey from starting a film company at age 15 to building a creative powerhouse that's produced award-winning content for major brands and impactful social campaigns.  We explore how a life-threatening diagnosis...

In this heartwarming and insightful episode, we explore Denise Thijzen's remarkable journey as a Product Manager at HubSpot and former top-performing Customer Success leader.  Born and raised in Aruba, Denise's story is a testament to the power of cultural adaptability and maintaining childlike wonder in professional growth.  From her early days coding Sailor Moon websites to leading global tech t...

In this captivating episode of The Disruptive Leader, we sit down with Lucila Abal , a HubSpot Hall of Fame member and Community Champion who has masterfully bridged the worlds of finance, technology, and education. From her early days as a ballerina and CPA to becoming a leading voice in HubSpot's Spanish-speaking community, Lucila shares her remarkable journey of constant evolution and embracing...

In this raw and inspiring conversation, we sit down with Cheryl Razzell, Head of Compute Solution Architecture at AWS UK/Ireland, who shares her remarkable journey in tech.  From leaving school with no GCSEs to becoming one of the UK's most influential women in technology, Cheryl's story challenges conventional paths to success. Cheryl opens up about entering the tech world in the 1990s when femal...

Are you ready to spin into a world where business meets the heartbeat of humanity? In our latest episode, we're rolling out the red carpet for Lica Wouters, the dynamo behind Mind & Metrics.  This isn't just a podcast; it's a journey through culture, technology, and the timeless art of storytelling! Lica's Grand Tour [00:00 - 02:15] : We kick off with a warm welcome and dive into Lica's nomadi...

In this profoundly moving episode, we sit down with Ibra Idrees, founder of Malmö's beloved Hummusson and former banking executive, who shares his extraordinary journey from Syria to Sweden with a story that embodies resilience, family devotion, and the power of starting over. Episode Highlights: The difficult decision to leave Syria at age 27, just before the civil war began Building a successful...

In this episode, Ranya chats with Jon Mogard, a new entrepreneur who recently started his own business after spending years in corporate consultancy. Jon shares his journey, discussing the fears and motivations that led to his decision to jump into entrepreneurship. They delve into the challenges of balancing family life with starting a business, the importance of personal fulfillment beyond the c...

In this episode of The Disruptive Leader, Ranya interviews Sam Hirbod, Senior Partner Development Manager and 2023's #1 Top-Performing Strategic Channel Consultant at HubSpot and Harvard-trained Executive Coach. Sam shares his remarkable journey from reviewing dating profiles in Stockholm to becoming a leading figure in HubSpot's partner ecosystem, offering unique insights into cross-cultural lead...

In this episode of The Disruptive Leader, host Ranya sits down with Brenna Zenaty, Senior Solutions Partner Professor at HubSpot Academy, to explore the evolution of corporate education and the future of tech-enabled learning. Key Discussion Points: Brenna's journey from English major to "accidental customer education professional." The expansion of HubSpot Academy from a simple onboarding tool to...

In this powerful episode of The Disruptive Leader, Ranya interviews Mali Diaz, a Senior Strategic Partner Account Manager at AirCall and former HubSpot Principal Latam's Customer Success Manager. Mali shares her remarkable journey from Paraguay to Boston and discusses the intersection of culture, language, and leadership in the global tech landscape. Key Highlights Mali's pivot from pursuing civil...

In this enlightening episode of The Disruptive Leader, Ranya sits down with Rich Habets, founder of the Corporate Coaching Academy and a seasoned transformation leader. Rich shares his fascinating journey from software architect to corporate consciousness expert, revealing how his obsession with understanding "how things work" led him from debugging computers to debugging human behavior in busines...

In this powerful episode of The Disruptive Leader, we sit down with Diana Zalaquett‎‏, HubSpot's Go-to-Market Enablement and Change Management Project Manager. From her early days working on landmine ban treaties at the UN to becoming a force in tech enablement, Diana shares her remarkable journey of transformation, resilience, and authentic leadership. Episode Highlights From International Affair...

In this episode of The Disruptive Leader, Ranya sits down with John B. Johnson, Principal at Small Studio and Identity Architecture pioneer, to explore the intersection of personal identity, business authenticity, and community building. Episode Highlights: John shares his journey from architecture to becoming an identity architect, explaining how architectural concepts translate to brand and pers...

In this episode of The Disruptive Leader, Ranya sits down with Connor Delaney, Lead Sales Consultant at Impact, to discuss his Journey from leading a college marketing association to becoming a successful sales consultant. Connor shares insights on empathetic selling, the parallels between athletics and business, and maintaining work-life satisfaction. Connor Delaney Current Role: Lead Sales Consu...

In this episode of "The Disruptive Leader," we explore the fascinating career journey of Jen Bergren, a versatile educator and operations expert. From her roots in graphic design to becoming a RevOps specialist and now a business education innovator, Jen shares invaluable insights on scaling agencies, creating effective business processes, and the future of professional development. Join us as we...

In this episode of The Disruptive Leader, Ranya interviews Benoit Chabord, a multicultural programming language lead developer and solution architect based in Spain. Benoit shares his journey from a French startup to becoming a global tech nomad, offering insights into the evolving world of software development, data engineering, and the future of AI in business. Episode Highlights: Benoit's early...

From making Tuesdays terrific to navigating the challenges of AI integration, David shares his experiences and strategies for building high-performing, authentic teams. Key Topics Covered: Creating a positive work culture through small, intentional actions The importance of meditation and presence in leadership Leading by example and the power of authenticity Balancing vulnerability and strength a...

In this captivating episode of The Disruptive Leader, I delve into the extraordinary life of Lauren, a former All-American athlete who has transitioned into a successful comedian and life coach. Lauren's story is a testament to resilience as she shares her journey of triumphing over personal challenges, finding humor in adversity, and discovering her true purpose in helping others lead more fulfil...

In this episode of The Disruptive Leader, we sit down with Emmily Bowman, Fathom's current Business Operations Manager and former founder of Braid Babes. Emmily shares her incredible journey from accidental entrepreneur to tech operations expert, offering valuable insights for aspiring business leaders. Key Topics Discussed: Emmily's transition from data analytics to founding Braid Babes The power...