Disruptive Innovators: Champions of Digital Business - CIO & IT Leader Interviews, Digital Transformation, Digital Innovation

In this episode, David Wright sits down with Ken Knapton , Chief Information Officer of Win Brands ( Costa Vida / FatCats ), to explore the evolution from individual contributor to strategic team leader in enterprise IT environments. They delve into overcoming organizational resistance to change, particularly when implementing shared services across multi-location businesses. Ken reveals how perso...

Holly Hon , Senior Vice President of Operations at Entertainment Partners, joins David Wright to explore how strategic execution, data-driven leadership and cross-functional collaboration shape long-term success. Holly shares lessons from transforming services into scalable product organizations, building AI readiness through data governance and advocating for enterprise-wide change — all with a m...

Host David Wright talks to Breno Gentil , Strategic Advisor of C.I.KNOW , whose previous roles include Global CTO of British American Tobacco and Senior Director of Digital and Technology at Heineken. Breno shares lessons from his global career leading transformation across consumer goods and explains why simplifying tech is core to IT leadership today. From AI hype to sailing analogies, this conv...

Ramesh Razdan , Global CIO/CTO of Bain & Company , joins David Wright to share how a foundation of humility, gratitude and servant leadership has shaped his journey from rural Kashmir to leading global technology transformation. They discuss managing change at scale, fostering collaboration across geographies and functions and how emerging technologies like AI can unlock personalized solutions...

A technologist who embraces business leadership, prioritizes humility over ego and learns to truly let go can drive lasting transformation. Brad Sexton , Chief Information Officer of Terrible's , joins David Wright to talk about leadership, innovation and the realities of driving digital transformation in a diverse, fast-paced organization. Brad shares lessons learned from a career spanning govern...

This week, David Wright is joined by Dr. Aalpen Patel , Chief Clinical and Innovation Officer of MedQuest Associates . Dr. Patel shares insights on innovation in healthcare, particularly in radiology, and discusses his journey from engineering to medicine. Dr. Patel emphasizes the importance of innovation in addressing healthcare challenges. Key Takeaways: (04:06) Removing the word "impossible" fr...

Sandra Powell-Elliott , Chief Innovation and Commercialization Officer at Hackensack Meridian Health , joins David Wright to discuss the intersection of innovation, AI, and commercialization in healthcare. With a background spanning administration, business strategy, and technology adoption, she shares insights on how health systems can embrace automation, foster an innovation-driven culture, and...

This week, David Wright is joined by Farnaz Ronaghi , Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer at NovoEd , to discuss how AI transforms employee learning, the shift in enterprise SaaS and the key leadership lessons she has learned while scaling a company. They explore the role of curiosity in leadership, the challenges of growing a team and how enterprises are rethinking their approach to learning...

This week, David Wright is joined by Claudionor Coelho Jr. , Chief AI Officer at Zscaler , the company running the largest cybersecurity cloud in the world. Together, they discuss the intersection of AI and cybersecurity, the accelerating pace of technological change and how organizations can prepare for an AI-driven future. Key Takeaways: (05:54) Lessons learned from early career failures and how...

Pavan Pidugu , Chief Technology Officer of FMCSA at the US Department of Transportation , shares insights from his transformative career, which spans retail leadership and federal government innovation. As CTO, he leads initiatives that enhance safety and efficiency in the transportation industry, driving cultural and technological change. Key Takeaways: (02:31) The importance of fostering a start...

Cheryl Johnson , Chief Product and Technology Officer at Betterworks , joins David Wright to share her career journey and leadership lessons. Cheryl discusses embracing challenges, staying grounded and creating human-centered work cultures. She also shares pivotal career moments, including overcoming burnout, navigating startups and driving innovation with AI. Key Takeaways: (03:53) The value of s...

Ryan Hale , Chief Information Officer at Lithko Contracting , joins David Wright to discuss scaling a business while navigating digital transformation. Lithko, the nation’s second-largest concrete contractor, manages over 500 projects in 22 locations. Ryan reflects on his decade of leadership, sharing lessons on problem-solving, data-driven decision-making and embracing innovation. Key Takeaways:...

In this episode, David Wright is joined by Daniel Burrus , a renowned futurist, author, and Founder and CEO of Burrus Research, Inc. a global research and consulting firm based in Wisconsin. Burrus shares his insights on anticipatory thinking, hard and soft trends, and how businesses can leverage these concepts to remain relevant and future-ready. Key Takeaways: (07:45) Thinking big, then aiming f...

Paul Smith , Chief Information Officer of Amnesty International , shares his journey from a working-class background to becoming a leader in digital innovation at one of the world’s largest human rights organizations. With insights into resourcefulness, cybersecurity and global tech solutions, Paul offers a look into managing technology with purpose and resilience. Key Takeaways: (06:06) The impor...

Ingo Paas, CIO and CDO of Green Cargo, shares insights into leading digital transformation within the rail cargo industry. Green Cargo was the winner of the 2023 IDC Future Enterprise Best in Future of Digital Infrastructure EMEA Award. Ingo has been at the forefront of leveraging AI to innovate and transform traditional industries, showcasing how digital infrastructure can support scalable and su...

This week, David Wright is joined by Mike Todasco , Visiting Fellow at the James Silberrad Brown Center for Artificial Intelligence at San Diego State University . Mike shares his journey from accountant to leading innovation at PayPal and now, in his current work with AI at San Diego State University. They explore the power of AI tools in driving business effectiveness, the importance of great le...

David Wright is joined by Scott Murray , Chief Operating Officer at Collective Health , to discuss the future of healthcare. Scott shares insights from his diverse career, spanning roles at Safeway, eBay, and now Collective Health. He emphasizes the importance of leadership, innovation, and customer-centricity in transforming healthcare. Key Takeaways: (03:05) Confronting brutal facts and not lett...

This week, David Wright is joined by Gaurav Banga , the CEO and founder of Balbix , a company leveraging AI to enhance cybersecurity risk management. Gaurav shares his journey from PhD to serial entrepreneur, offering insights into the intersection of cybersecurity and AI, and the lessons learned from building successful companies. Key Takeaways: (03:06) Focus on solving problems, and view cyberse...

In this episode, David Wright is joined by Dr. Douglas Bruce , Professor of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and SVP, Chief Clinical Integration Officer at MetroHealth System . They explore the intersection of healthcare and technology, focusing on behavior change and the role of digital tools in patient care. Dr. Bruce shares insights from his extensive experience in...

This week, David Wright is joined by Claudia Infante , Chief Data Officer at Margaritaville , to discuss her journey from Director of Revenue Strategy to leading Margaritaville’s data-driven initiatives. They explore how Claudia has played a pivotal role in scaling the brand, the importance of understanding customer experiences, and the lessons learned from failures. Key Takeaways: (02:25) Walking...

Understanding the cost dynamics and technological advancements in diagnostic imaging is crucial for both patients and providers. This week, David Wright is joined by Dr. John Simon , Founder and CEO of SimonMed Imaging , to discuss the innovations in radiology, the affordability of imaging services and the impact of AI on diagnostic care. Key Takeaways: (02:25) Dr. John Simon's role and the scope...

Innovation isn't just about the next big idea; it's about fostering a culture that brings those ideas to life. This week, David Wright is joined by Prith Banerjee , CTO at Ansys , to delve into the intricacies of driving innovation in large organizations. They explore the importance of leveraging external disruptive innovations and balancing academic research with practical applications. Prith sha...

Imagine transforming your business with technology that not only boosts productivity but also empowers your team and drives success. This week, Jason James , CIO of Aptos Retail , joins David Wright to discuss the strategic role of technology in retail and the significance of leadership and mentorship in driving business success. They dive into how technology empowers businesses, the importance of...

In this episode, David Wright is joined by Jonathan Chan , Head of Global IT and Security at Episource , who shares insights on leveraging technology to drive business goals and enhance efficiency in healthcare. Jonathan reveals how transforming IT from a cost center into a revenue driver can revolutionize healthcare. Key Takeaways: (03:36) IT is a business enabler. (05:11) Converting IT conversat...

This week, David Wright is joined by Brian Rowe , Vice President of Information Technology at Rehrig Pacific Company . Brian shares details of his unique journey and insights into the pivotal role of human-centric solutions in driving innovation and efficiency. Key Takeaways: (04:00) Every problem is ultimately a human problem. (06:03) The realization that coding didn’t bring personal fulfillment....