LeaderbookAI

What does real product leadership look like in the age of generative AI? Felicia Shakiba is joined by Claurelle Rakipovic, Chief Product Officer at Pipe, to cut through the hype and unpack what effective product leadership actually requires as generative AI reshapes how products are built. From customer empathy to avoiding common AI missteps, Claurelle shares hard-earned lessons on designing produ...

In private equity and high-stakes M&A, why does leadership matter more than the numbers? Cameron Bishop, Partner and Managing Director at Raincatcher Investment Bankers, joins Felicia Shakiba to unpack why financials are only half the story in mergers and acquisitions—and why leadership quality is often the true differentiator of deal success. Cameron explains where traditional due diligence falls...

What really happens when AI transforms work—and how should leaders respond? Matt Lewis joins Felicia Shakiba to unpack the human reality behind AI transformation inside organizations. Beyond efficiency gains and automation promises, Matt shares what happens when employees fear job loss, wrestle with identity, and question their value—and why leadership response determines whether transformation su...

What does it really take to lead lasting change inside an organization—and why does getting it wrong cost millions? Lyon Kassab, Managing General Partner at BoCG Ventures, joins Felicia Shakiba to break down the real mechanics of organizational change management—and why the absence of it quietly erodes value. Drawing on deep operating and investing experience, Lyon explains where transformations f...

How does private equity really evaluate leadership during acquisitions—and why does it determine growth? Felicia Shakiba and Vikash Jha pull back the curtain on how private equity firms assess leadership when the stakes are highest. From reading silent signals to decoding executive chemistry, they unpack the often-invisible factors that determine whether an acquisition accelerates growth—or quietl...

How can executives build authentic confidence and overcome self-doubt—without losing clarity? Kip Knippel, President & CEO of KIP Search, joins Felicia Shakiba to share actionable strategies for navigating imposter syndrome, embracing risk, and leading with grounded confidence. Drawing on decades of executive leadership experience, Kip explains how mentorship, direct communication, and self-awaren...

How can HR leaders move beyond surveys to drive real business outcomes? Scott Leuchter, Global Chief People Officer at Ideal Tridon Group, joins Felicia Shakiba to explain how predictive analytics can uncover the real drivers of performance, retention, and productivity. Scott shares how organizations can move past static engagement surveys and instead use data-driven insights to inform smarter lea...

How can private equity leaders align fast growth with long-term mission—without increasing risk? Ross Iverson, Co-Founder of Manna Tree, joins Felicia Shakiba to share how founder–investor alignment becomes a decisive advantage in high-growth, high-stakes environments. Drawing on deep experience in private equity governance, Ross explains how trust, clarity, and shared purpose enable execution—esp...

How can companies harness responsible AI without losing the human touch? Mark Sankarsingh, VP of People Solutions at PepsiCo, joins Felicia Shakiba to explore how global organizations can adopt AI responsibly while preserving trust, ethics, and human judgment. Mark shares how PepsiCo is boosting productivity and streamlining people operations—without sacrificing transparency or employee confidence...

What does it take to be a truly transformational CFO today? Roman Labutin, former Divisional CFO at Citigroup, joins Felicia Shakiba to unpack how the CFO role is evolving far beyond the numbers. Roman shares how modern finance leaders blend data-driven decision making with people-first leadership—building cross-cultural trust and forging strategic partnerships with HR across compensation, success...

How can CFOs and CPOs drive better results—together? Robert Bendetti joins Felicia Shakiba to explain why tight collaboration between finance and people leadership is no longer optional. From workforce planning to incentive compensation, Robert shares how aligned CFO–CPO partnerships unlock clearer accountability, better performance, and stronger outcomes across the organization. This episode expl...

Is AI expertise more valuable than industry experience? Andrea Iorio explores how AI literacy reshapes hiring and leadership. This episode focuses on generative AI, decision making, and workforce strategy—revealing how organizations future-proof talent through AI automation and digital transformation. — Subscribe to the LeaderbookAI Podcast (formerly CPO PLAYBOOK): https://leaderbook.ai/podcast Wa...

How can online communities turn connection into capital? Maayan shares how authentic engagement and platform strategy create sustainable growth. This episode connects leadership, digital transformation, and value creation—showing how enterprise technology and AI automation amplify reach and monetization. — Subscribe to the LeaderbookAI Podcast (formerly CPO PLAYBOOK): https://leaderbook.ai/podcast...

How can companies scale globally without losing local relevance? Hasan Kazmi of Visa joins Felicia Shakiba to share how global strategy succeeds only when it’s paired with strong local execution. Drawing on experience operating across diverse markets, Hasan explains how trust, adaptability, and empowered teams enable organizations to grow at scale while staying deeply connected to regional needs....

How is AI redefining leadership—and what does it mean for the future of work? Enrique Rubio, founder of Hacking HR, joins Felicia Shakiba to explore how AI is reshaping workforce dynamics, leadership expectations, and the way organizations operate. Enrique breaks down what’s changing beneath the surface—from how leaders make decisions to how teams collaborate—and why ignoring these shifts puts org...

How can leaders build trust and courage across teams? Angela Cheng-Cimini explores psychological safety, emotional intelligence, and accountability. This episode highlights leadership behaviors that strengthen decision making and performance—supported by scalable systems, digital transformation, and AI automation. — Subscribe to the LeaderbookAI Podcast (formerly CPO PLAYBOOK): https://leaderbook....

What really happens to culture after a company is acquired? Bobby Kingsbury of MCM Capital Partners reveals what leaders overlook post-acquisition. This episode connects private equity execution, leadership alignment, and value creation—showing how disciplined integration, enterprise technology, and business process automation accelerate results. — Subscribe to the LeaderbookAI Podcast (formerly C...

How can leaders build workplaces where people feel truly valued? Ophira Melamed, CEO of Nitrofix, shares how transparency, trust, and purpose prevent burnout. This conversation highlights leadership behaviors, decision making, and scalable systems—reinforced by business process automation and AI automation—to sustain engagement and performance. — Subscribe to the LeaderbookAI Podcast (formerly CPO...

How can companies achieve operational excellence in a hybrid world? BuzzFeed CPO Chandler Bondan shares how leadership clarity, engagement, and AI automation improve efficiency. This episode connects C-suite strategy, enterprise technology, and digital transformation—showing how business process automation drives modern value creation. — Subscribe to the LeaderbookAI Podcast (formerly CPO PLAYBOOK...

How do you scale a startup while managing distributed teams? Valentina Agudelo Vargas, CEO of Salva Health and TechCrunch Disrupt winner, shares how team alignment, executive coaching, and clear communication helped her build culture and drive success across cities. — Subscribe to the LeaderbookAI Podcast (formerly CPO PLAYBOOK): https://leaderbook.ai/podcast Want to create 10x the value of your b...

What drives startup success from idea to exit? Stan Garber and Alex Yakubovich share how solving real customer pain unlocked scalable growth. This episode blends leadership, value creation, and executive insights—revealing how disciplined decision making, digital transformation, and business process automation support sustainable exits. — Subscribe to the LeaderbookAI Podcast (formerly CPO PLAYBOO...

How can organizations build AI literacy and drive real innovation? William Tincup joins Felicia Shakiba to explore practical AI adoption—from “show and tell” sessions to business-led experimentation. This episode focuses on generative AI, machine learning, leadership enablement, and decision making—showing how AI automation fuels value creation when paired with clear strategy. — Subscribe to the L...

How can we solve the cybersecurity talent crisis in government? Katie Roberts, CEO of RPR Strategies, explores why tens of thousands of roles remain unfilled at the Department of Defense. This conversation connects leadership accountability, workforce decision making, and digital transformation—highlighting how AI automation and enterprise technology close critical capability gaps. — Subscribe to...

What does it take to lead innovation in complex manufacturing? Amir Moghadam shares how leadership, precision, and technology intersect in lingerie manufacturing. This episode highlights enterprise technology, operational decision making, and business process automation—demonstrating how digital transformation enables quality, speed, and value creation. — Subscribe to the LeaderbookAI Podcast (for...

What unique strengths do women bring to leadership? Jan Rutherford, founder of Crucible Expeditions, reflects on lessons from an all-women leadership journey. This episode explores self-awareness, accountability, and team dynamics—connecting leadership development to decision making, value creation, and systems that scale through AI automation. — Subscribe to the LeaderbookAI Podcast (formerly CPO...