Unlocking Momentum

Leadership isn't about having all the answers. It's about building the conditions where others can find them. In this episode, Aaron Kopel sits down with Michael Koluch , VP of IT Strategy and Operations at Arlington/Roe , who made a career pivot from 16 years in higher education to IT leadership, starting at the help desk and working his way up. Michael shares six practical principles for unlocki...

Technology leaders often focus on efficiency, but lasting business impact comes from trust, alignment, and understanding the people behind the processes. In this episode, Aaron Kopel sits down with Mike Loggins , CEO of MetaStrategy Consulting, technology leader, and advocate for human-centered IT leadership. Mike shares his unconventional journey from aspiring music teacher to technology executiv...

Technology can enable change, but trust, communication, and strong leadership are what truly move organizations forward. In this episode, Aaron Kopel sits down with Heather Darring , CIO of Kappa Alpha Theta and President of the TechPoint Indiana CIO Network. Heather shares her unconventional path into technology leadership, from studying art in college to leading IT for an organization serving mo...

Technology may enable momentum, but people, leadership, and mindset are what truly move organizations forward. In this episode, Aaron Kopel sits down with Gervais Johnson , an experienced leader in AI, Agile transformations, and digital strategy. Gervais shares his journey from working at NASA and General Dynamics to becoming a pivotal player in Agile and AI transformations at major organizations...

Momentum inside an organization rarely comes from technology by itself. It is shaped by people, leadership, and the mindset that guides how teams work, adapt, and move forward together. In this episode, Aaron Kopel sits down with Steven Barley , Chief Information and Technology Officer at the Indiana Public Retirement System (INPRS) , to explore how momentum is unlocked by shifting IT from a suppo...

AI doesn't fail because of bad technology. It fails because of bad change management. In this episode, Aaron Kopel sits down with Diana Williams , Director of Change Management at Project Brilliant , to explore why AI adoption is ultimately a people challenge. Drawing from her experience in state government and consulting across regulated industries, Diana shares how organizations often focus on b...

Organizational momentum is no longer just about pushing harder or following a plan. It is a leadership, alignment, and focus challenge that impacts every level of the business. In this episode, Aaron Kopel sits down with Patrick Bogan , VP IT Strategy and Operational Excellence at CNO Financial Group , to explore the importance of alignment in driving organizational momentum. Patrick reflects on h...

Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue. It is a leadership, operations, and communication challenge that touches every part of the business. In this episode, Aaron Kopel sits down with Chetrice Romero , Senior Cybersecurity Advisor at Ice Miller LLP , to unpack what organizations still get wrong about cyber readiness. Chetrice shares her unconventional path from public relations and crisis co...

The best leaders don’t focus on doing more. They create environments where innovation thrives. In this episode, Aaron Kopel , CEO of Project Brilliant , shares insights from a recent trip to Cuba and how the systemic challenges observed there can relate to organizational leadership. Drawing from his personal experiences in Cuba, Aaron explores how entrepreneurs and leaders are navigating a complex...

Great leadership isn't about pushing harder. It's about building trust and solving problems as a team. In this episode, Aaron Kopel sits down with Jason "JD" Duigou , an experienced CIO, leadership mentor, and the founder and principal consultant of Truefire Partners, LLC . JD shares insights from his career journey, including his time as a CIO, and offers valuable lessons on the importance of tru...

The best leaders don’t move faster. They design better systems. In this episode, Aaron Kopel sits down with Ting Gootee , Executive Vice President of Digital Adoption & Managing Director of Crossroads Health Ventures at the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) . Ting shares lessons from her journey immigrating to the U.S., building Elevate Ventures, leading TechPoint as CEO, and now dr...

The best leaders don’t just solve problems; they fix the system. In this episode, Aaron Kopel sits down with Earl Shaw , CIO at Renaissance Benefits & Health Insurance , to talk about what it really takes to rebuild trust and performance within an organization under pressure. Earl discusses how his love for strategy and puzzles shaped his leadership style, and how embracing unfamiliar opportun...

What happens when a technologist chooses public service and discovers leadership is less about systems and more about people? In this episode, Aaron Kopel sits down with Collin Hill , CIO of Indianapolis and Marion County, to explore how service industry experience, local government work, and calm leadership under pressure shape stronger technology leaders. Collin shares his unexpected path into p...

Why should CIOs step away from being the "technical fixer" to lead effectively? In this episode, Aaron Kopel sits down with Jeff Ton , former CIO of Ton Enterprises, LLC, and a seasoned leader in IT and leadership development. Jeff shares his journey from COBOL punch cards to guiding leaders on transformative expeditions inspired by the Lewis and Clark trail. He explains why leadership is about mo...

Momentum is built in the uncertain moments, when leaders are stretched, cultures shift, and teams look for someone steady to move them forward. In this episode, Aaron Kopel sits down with Warren Lenard , CIO of the Indiana Office of Technology, whose path has taken him through some of the toughest environments a CIO can face. From guiding a retail organization through COVID to stepping into statew...

Transformation takes shape in the chaos of everyday work. It's in tough choices and moments when nothing feels certain, and leaders stand at the center of it all, steadying their teams and helping them move with purpose. In this episode, Aaron Kopel chats with Republic Airways CIO Matt Belanger , who’s right in the middle of one of the most intense seasons a CIO can walk into. New headquarters are...

Transformation doesn’t come from theory. It comes from motion. From momentum. And from leaders willing to do things differently. Unlocking Momentum is for the evolving CIOs, strategic leaders who aren’t satisfied just managing systems, but driving growth, enabling innovation, and building the future of their organizations. Hosted by Aaron Kopel, founder of Project Brilliant and creator of the Mome...