IT Leaders

In the age of AI, leadership, and followership are undergoing significant transformations. Maureen Metcalf, a highly respected executive advisor and CEO of the Innovative Leadership Institute, emphasizes the importance of evolving leadership practices to meet the demands of this new era. Her work focuses on guiding organizations through structured envisioning, leadership elevation, and organizatio...

AI is transforming how we work, accelerating productivity and decision-making across every industry—but it's also introducing a subtle, dangerous side effect: the erosion of human problem-solving, critical thinking, and technical intuition. This phenomenon, which I call AI Atrophy , represents the quiet decline of our cognitive and creative abilities as individuals increasingly rely on artificial...

In this compelling episode of the IT Leaders podcast, we explore the powerful intersection of mindset, resilience, and leadership. Join us as we sit down with Ryan Lavarnway, a distinguished figure in professional sports, known for his remarkable journey as a Major League Baseball player, and now a motivational speaker known for his engaging storytelling and impactful insights. Ryan Lavarnway, wit...

In this insightful episode, Deanna Durrett, CEO and General Counsel at El Toro, brings her legal acumen and leadership experience to a conversation every organization needs to hear—why people management deserves a place in our core training strategies. Drawing from her transformational journey from law to leadership, Deanna recounts her time at Success Academy Charter Schools, where she witnessed...

In this compelling episode, Olivia Fitchett shares a powerful blend of personal storytelling, neuroscience, and actionable leadership strategies to underscore the transformative impact of belonging in the workplace. Olivia opens with a vivid narrative from her time as a White House intern—a near-miss with the Secret Service that became a defining lesson in what it feels like not to belong. That mo...

In this energizing and no-nonsense episode of IT Leaders , Jason Johnson, VP of IT at Sweetwater, dives deep into the heart of effective leadership: time, delegation, and focus. Blending military precision from his Navy days with hard-earned wisdom from over a decade at one of America’s fastest-growing music retailers, Jason shares how intentional planning and letting go of the hero complex can un...

In this insightful episode of IT Leaders , Erin Petty, VP of IT Shared Services at Sweetwater, takes the mic to share a dynamic and heartfelt exploration into what it truly means to build confidence within IT teams. Drawing from her unique transition from sales and human services into tech leadership, Erin unpacks the soft skill that often goes overlooked but can make or break a team’s potential:...

In this episode of the IT Leaders podcast, Rachel Pritz—executive coach, speaker, and founder of Culture Coaching—invites us into a transformative conversation about self-leadership, drawing from six years of coaching high-performing professionals. With candor, insight, and just the right touch of humor, Rachel challenges conventional leadership norms, flipping the lens inward to explore what it t...

What do you do when you’re stuck—whether it’s in a project, a team dynamic, or your own leadership approach? In this episode, Shelisa Gautreaux, a seasoned HR leader and talent strategist, shares practical tools to help IT leaders and professionals break through roadblocks and enhance their effectiveness in leadership and collaboration . Shelisa explores key concepts from Marshall Goldsmith’s “Wha...

In this episode, Eric Satterly, CIO of Jefferson County Public Schools, introduces his Five Ates Framework for Transformation —a structured approach to IT service delivery that bridges the gap between technical teams and business needs. Drawing on decades of experience, Eric shares how IT has evolved from being the gatekeeper of technology to a collaborative partner in driving innovation. Through...

In this IT Leaders episode, Teresa Conroy-Roth, a seasoned consultant and relationship builder, joins Duane Weber, Vice President at Expedient, to share strategies for becoming a trusted advisor. The discussion centers around earning trust through empathy, active listening, and a client-first approach—moving beyond transactional relationships to forge lasting partnerships. Teresa recounts her earl...

In this episode of IT Leaders , Joe Rogalski, Vice President of IT at Delta Force, discusses the evolving nature of leadership in a rapidly changing technological landscape. With a career spanning global roles in both consumer goods and industrial manufacturing, Joe shares insights on leading teams through ongoing transformations. His current company, known for innovations like voice-controlled an...

In this episode of the IT Leaders podcast, we’re joined by Michael Quesada, a seasoned tech executive and thought leader specializing in organizational transformation. Michael shares his unique perspective on leadership as the critical "abstraction layer" that bridges vision and execution in technology-driven organizations. Drawing on his extensive experience as a CTO and entrepreneur, Michael unp...