Breakthrough Innovation

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we’re joined by Khalia Padilla —a 20-year-old quantum physicist, visionary entrepreneur, and co-founder of Imagine Engine Studios. From starting a fashion line at 14 to pioneering AI-driven VR platforms and now turning her sights toward space commerce, Khalia brings a bold, systems-thinking mindset to every frontier she touches. Khalia shares how she ble...

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation , JL Heather sits down with Jennifer Moore , a seasoned product executive, interim CPO, startup advisor, and investor, to discuss the mindset that drives impactful innovation. Jennifer takes us through her journey—from humble beginnings in a family where women didn’t work outside the home to becoming a leader in fintech and B2B SaaS. She shares how innova...

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, host JL Heather is joined by Prasad Gollapalli , a serial entrepreneur and founder of Qued, a company revolutionizing the appointment scheduling process in the logistics industry. Prasad discusses his journey from founding Trucker Tools to his latest venture, Qued, and how his team is solving long-standing problems in freight scheduling using innovative...

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation , JL Heather sits down with Arnaud Lucas, an experienced tech executive and leader, to explore the unique leadership philosophies that have shaped his career across e-commerce, SaaS, and mobile technology. Arnaud, who’s worked with top companies like TripAdvisor, Wayfair, and now Cambridge Mobile Telematics, shares insights on leadership, ownership, and t...

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation , JL Heather is joined by Justin Ryburn, Field CTO at Kentik , to discuss how the future of business is being shaped by cutting-edge technology, AI, and network intelligence. Justin offers a behind-the-scenes look at his unique role in combining technical leadership with customer strategy to drive real-world innovation. From leveraging AI for solving comp...

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation , we’re joined by Jon Robert Bradford , serial entrepreneur, venture studio pioneer, and founder of CoLab in Los Angeles. Jon opens the playbook on how his team has launched over 100 startups, raised more than $400M in capital, and built a portfolio now worth over $2 billion—all while turning the traditional accelerator model on its head. From zero to MVP...

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, Preston Chandler and JL Heather are joined by Daniel Holguin, the Chief Technology Officer at Santa Rosa Rancheria Tachyocca Tribe . Daniel shares his extraordinary journey from a police officer to a leader in the tech world, highlighting the key moments that shaped his career, including overcoming a life-changing cancer diagnosis. Through it all, Daniel...

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we’re joined by Will Schmahl, founder of HousMthr a travel tech startup that is redefining the way we approach vacation rentals and group stays. Will shares the story behind HousMthr, an innovative app designed to enhance the travel experience by offering personalized assistance, managing group logistics, and ensuring safety with real-time support during...

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, JL Heather and Preston Chandler are joined by Dylan Casey, Chief Product Officer at WISEcode and former Google and Yahoo leader, for an engaging conversation on leadership, product innovation, and decision-making. Dylan’s unique journey, from being an Olympic cyclist to a tech executive, offers fresh insights into how high-performance athletes can transl...

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation , we’re joined by Karen Chao , Chief Product Officer at Flowspace , who takes us through her remarkable journey from a first-generation college student to a pioneering leader at the intersection of AI, product innovation, and supply chain strategy . Karen’s career path—from Cisco to Apple to high-growth startups—demonstrates how adaptability and lifelong...

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation , we’re joined by Howard Holton, the Chief Technology Officer at GigaOM , who shares his journey from a tech enthusiast to a trailblazer driving digital transformation. Howard reveals how his unconventional path from software development to consulting in sectors like government, telecom, and healthcare has shaped his unique leadership style, where busines...

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation , Preston Chandler sits down with Vishwath Mohan, AI strategist and CTO of Bright Schools , as he discusses his transition from Google to transforming education for children in low-income neighborhoods. Vishwath shares how AI can reshape the educational landscape by providing personalized tutoring, promoting curiosity, and nurturing a growth mindset. He e...

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation , we’re joined by Russ Felker, the Chief Technology Officer at Trinity Logistics , who is leading the charge in transforming the logistics industry through technology and culture. With over 30 years of experience, Russ shares his journey from working in startups to shaping the future of one of the largest logistics companies in the U.S. He reveals how Tri...

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation , we’re joined by Sumedh Barde, Chief Product Officer at Symbian , who takes us through his dynamic journey from building groundbreaking digital rights management (DRM) technologies to pioneering AI solutions in cybersecurity. Sumedh shares insights from his extensive career, highlighting the transformative role of artificial intelligence in bridging the...

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation , we’re joined by Christian Hammer , a serial entrepreneur and founder of Heart.io, who takes us through his evolution from building startups to becoming a leader in AI-driven business innovation. Christian reflects on his time at Nike, where he played a pivotal role in reshaping their digital and direct-to-consumer strategy. Christian shares insights fro...

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation , we’re joined by Alex Pyatigorskiy , a seasoned management consultant and expert in driving innovation through agile, lean, and human-centered design practices. Alex shares his journey from working in major corporations like Walt Disney to his current focus on transforming the financial and fintech industries. He offers valuable insights into what makes...

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation , JL Heather and Preston Chandler chat with Rob Riggs , a seasoned marketing technology strategist with over two decades of experience helping businesses grow smarter through AI and automation. Rob shares his unique journey from working at a small clothing manufacturer to founding his own tech-forward companies, where he focuses on optimizing business pro...

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we’re joined by Michael Bar-Sinai, co-founder and CTO of Provengo , to explore the critical role of formal methods in AI development and software engineering. Michael takes us through his extensive career in tech, discussing the transformative potential of formal specifications—mathematically rigorous guidelines that ensure software meets necessary busin...

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation , we’re joined by Victor Shilo, SVP of AI and Data Engineering at Solved and author of AI Driven , a practical guide for organizations ready to transform how they innovate. Victor shares his journey from junior developer to executive leader, diving deep into how AI is reshaping the future of decision-making, product development, and business value creatio...

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation , we’re joined by Vladimir Baranov engineer, founder, and now startup coach, who shares his unconventional journey from building satellites and scaling fintech startups to mentoring more than 150 founders across climate, deep science, and social impact sectors. Vladimir opens up about the hidden challenges founders face and what it really takes to grow a...

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation , we’re joined by Patrick Petit, Chief Product Officer at Venture-Backed and PMI Systems , who shares his expert insights on scaling startups and navigating the rollercoaster ride of turning ideas into successful products. With over $3 million raised for startups, Patrick’s journey is full of valuable lessons learned from embracing failure, taking risks,...

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation , we’re joined by Steve Brumby, the co-founder and CEO of Impact Observatory , a leader in the integration of AI and space-based data for addressing global challenges. With over 25 years of experience in AI, geospatial technology, and sustainability, Steve shares his journey from working on the US space program to leading a groundbreaking company that is...

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation , we’re joined by Paul Nnaoji, the founder and CTO of Ask a Guru , a platform designed to help people discover new music, books, movies, and TV shows through curated recommendations from trusted peers. Paul shares his inspiring journey from the initial spark of an idea during his master’s program at Berklee College of Music, to building a successful platf...

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation , we’re joined by Matthew Mead, Chief Technology Officer at SPR , who is leading the charge in AI-driven solutions. With years of experience in software development, emerging technologies, and the future of business, Matthew dives deep into the transformative potential of AI. He shares his journey from tech developer to thought leader in the AI space and...

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation , we’re joined by JC Landivar , a product and technology leader with a wealth of experience across industries including aerospace, legal tech, consumer products, and sports tech. JC shares his fascinating journey from project management to becoming an executive coach, emphasizing the importance of leadership, product discovery, and innovative thinking in...