Chief Change Officer

Some people color inside the lines. Others—like Sara Lobkovich—ditch the coloring book altogether and make their own rules.  A proud introvert, ADHDer, and change-maker, Sara turned years of navigating life’s twists into two books designed to help others do the same. In Part 1, we’ll hear how she went from feeling like an outsider to building a thriving career by embracing what makes her different...

Some people color inside the lines. Others—like Sara Lobkovich—ditch the coloring book altogether and make their own rules.  A proud introvert, ADHDer, and change-maker, Sara turned years of navigating life’s twists into two books designed to help others do the same. In Part 1, we’ll hear how she went from feeling like an outsider to building a thriving career by embracing what makes her different...

We’re closing out Love and Logic with a powerhouse—Waverly Deutsch, the theater-loving, PhD-earning, startup-coaching dynamo.  A fierce advocate for LGBTQ and women entrepreneurs, Waverly doesn’t just give advice; she gives strategies that work. At WyseHeart Advisory, she’s proving that retirement isn’t about slowing down—it’s about lifting up the next generation with tough love and a little bit o...

If there’s one thing Waverly Deutsch doesn’t do, it’s fluff.  In Part 2 of Love and Logic series, she shares her bold journey from STEM to stage, academia to entrepreneurship, and why she built WyseHeart Advisory to help founders thrive. A champion for LGBTQ and women entrepreneurs, Waverly proves that real mentorship isn’t about hand-holding—it’s about giving the kind of feedback that sticks. Key...

Welcome to Part 1 of “Love and Logic,” where Waverly Deutsch shows us how balancing passion and reason leads to real impact. Today, we explore her journey—how she carved her path and why she’s committed to helping others find theirs. In later episodes, we’ll cover her work at Chicago Booth and WyseHeart Advisory, where she dishes out “tough love for entrepreneurs.” Waverly is famous for her blunt...

Christopher Quek wasn’t built to follow the family script. In this two-part series, we explore how he walked away from the comforts of a well-established family business in Singapore to chase entrepreneurship in Malaysia—much to his father’s dismay. After returning home, he doubled down on his independence by selling his inheritance to launch TRIVE, a venture capital firm built on his own vision. ...

Christopher Quek wasn’t built to follow the family script. In this two-part series, we explore how he walked away from the comforts of a well-established family business in Singapore to chase entrepreneurship in Malaysia—much to his father’s dismay. After returning home, he doubled down on his independence by selling his inheritance to launch TRIVE, a venture capital firm built on his own vision....

Part Two.  From politics to entrepreneurship, Sihame El Kaouakibi has faced—and conquered—some serious challenges. Burnout? Check. Bankruptcy? Been there. A political storm? Handled. But instead of breaking under pressure, she calls herself “anti-fragile,” using adversity as fuel for reinvention. In Part One, we explore how she built herself back up as a leadership coach, diversity advocate, and c...

From politics to entrepreneurship, Sihame El Kaouakibi has faced—and conquered—some serious challenges. Burnout? Check. Bankruptcy? Been there. A political storm? Handled. But instead of breaking under pressure, she calls herself “anti-fragile,” using adversity as fuel for reinvention. In Part One, we explore how she built herself back up as a leadership coach, diversity advocate, and creator of W...

Higher education often feels like a reality TV show—full of rivalries, dramatic eliminations, and schools fighting for the top spot. But what if universities actually worked together? Enter Dr. Bridget Burns, CEO of the University Innovation Alliance (UIA) and host of The Innovating Together Podcast . From her small-town roots to becoming a driving force in educational reform, Bridget is on a miss...

Higher education often feels like a reality TV show—full of rivalries, dramatic eliminations, and schools fighting for the top spot. But what if universities actually worked together? Enter Dr. Bridget Burns, CEO of the University Innovation Alliance (UIA) and host of The Innovating Together Podcast . From her small-town roots to becoming a driving force in educational reform, Bridget is on a miss...

Change isn’t just a business buzzword—it’s a way of life. Jason Bloomfield, Global Head of Change and Experience Design at Ericsson, has spent over 20 years navigating the twists and turns of M&A, corporate transformations, and direct-to-consumer strategies. But his most valuable lessons didn’t come from boardrooms—they came from life itself. From childhood challenges to corporate shake-ups, J...

What do Tintin and talent recruitment have in common? Just ask Ian Myers. As founder and CEO of Oceans, he’s on a mission to connect Sri Lanka’s top professionals with U.S. businesses—scaling his company from zero to $10 million in just two years. But his career isn’t just about business; it’s been a full-blown adventure. From banking and venture capital to gaming and entrepreneurship, Ian has nav...

So you finally quit that toxic job, only to find yourself in another workplace filled with the same drama. What gives? Leadership expert Jennifer Selby Long explains why office politics follow you wherever you go—and how to stop them from running your career. In this two-part series, we tackle power dynamics, corporate chaos, and the real reason some people seem to climb the ladder effortlessly wh...

So you finally quit that toxic job, only to find yourself in another workplace filled with the same drama. What gives? Leadership expert Jennifer Selby Long explains why office politics follow you wherever you go—and how to stop them from running your career. In this two-part series, we tackle power dynamics, corporate chaos, and the real reason some people seem to climb the ladder effortlessly wh...

Jennifer Selby Long has spent three decades coaching tech leaders through the messiest corners of organizational change. In this episode, she tackles everything from leadership blind spots to stakeholder tug-of-wars and shares why handling office politics doesn’t have to feel like an episode of Survivor. Whether you’re managing a team or just trying to stay afloat during corporate upheaval, Jennif...

Jennifer Selby Long’s career took a surprise turn when she found herself managing change before “change management” was even a thing. Over the years, she’s cracked the code on why humans resist change—and how to help them embrace it. Now, as a trusted coach for tech leaders, she shares how to move beyond spreadsheets and systems to the real work of change: influencing people, handling conflict, an...

What happens when a media executive walks away from the world of celebrity and spotlights?  César Couto Ferreira, the former MTV and Vice Media powerhouse, traded backstage passes with global icons like Madonna and Coldplay for a mission with more depth. After launching media empires across Europe and Brazil, he realized that glitz alone wasn’t enough—he wanted impact. Now, he’s bringing his creat...

Michael Levitt didn’t just hit rock bottom—he crash-landed, lost his job, his car, his home, and survived a heart attack, all within a single year.  Talk about a wake-up call. Now, as the Chief Burnout Officer and Founder of Breakfast Leadership Network, he’s on a mission to make sure others don’t follow in his burned-out footsteps. With a career spanning finance, IT, and healthcare, plus a Top 20...

Ral West’s resume reads like an adventure novel. She’s been an airline owner, a cruise ship operator, a real estate investor, and now, a mentor for entrepreneurs looking to turn bold ideas into reality. After selling her Alaska-Hawaii charter airline to Alaska Airlines, she didn’t slow down—she just switched industries. In this episode, she shares her wild ride through decades of entrepreneurship...

Athena Brownson was at the top of her real estate game when life handed her a challenge she never saw coming—Lyme disease. What followed was an eight-year rollercoaster of chronic pain, exhausting treatments, and redefining everything she thought she knew about success. In the last episode, she took us through the raw, unfiltered truth of navigating an illness that most people don’t understand. An...

Athena Brownson was at the top of her real estate game when life handed her a challenge she never saw coming—Lyme disease. What followed was an eight-year rollercoaster of chronic pain, exhausting treatments, and redefining everything she thought she knew about success. In this episode, she takes us through the raw, unfiltered truth of navigating an illness that most people don’t understand. And i...

Back in my LA finance days, I managed billion-dollar bond funds with Jeffrey Gundlach, aka the “Bond King.” But today, we’re switching gears from complex portfolios to something a little shinier—gold. Collin Plume isn’t here to sell you coins—he’s here to talk about what really matters: how to build financial security, make retirement stress-free, and raise kids who actually understand money. If y...

Back in my LA finance days, I managed billion-dollar bond funds with Jeffrey Gundlach, aka the “Bond King.” But today, we’re switching gears from complex portfolios to something a little shinier—gold. Collin Plume isn’t here to sell you coins—he’s here to talk about what really matters: how to build financial security, make retirement stress-free, and raise kids who actually understand money. If y...

Ryota Tanozaki started his career selling shochu at Suntory. Now? He’s running the show as President & CEO of Tabist (formerly OYO Japan), leading a tech revolution for 90,000+ Japanese hotels. Along the way, he’s worn many hats—strategy consultant, product manager, GM, and even Head of Instagram Japan. We first crossed paths at Chicago Booth’s Executive MBA program (2013–2015), and I’m excite...