Shift & Thrive: CEO Insights on Driving Change

What happens when a robotics CEO ditches Agile and embraces long-term commitments? AJ Meyer shares how bold moves and clarity of vision drive real innovation. On this episode of Shift & Thrive, AJ Meyer, co-founder and CEO of Pickle Robot Company, pulls back the curtain on building a robotics company that’s tackling one of logistics’ biggest challenges: autonomously unloading trucks. From his...

How can leaders evolve their management style, leverage AI, and navigate rapid market changes to build resilient, forward-thinking organizations in tech? In this episode of Shift & Thrive, Dimitri Sirota, Co-founder and CEO of BigID, shares insights from his journey as a data privacy leader, including how he guided his company through the uncertainties of COVID-19, transitioned to a remote-fir...

What if the key to solving industrial carbon emissions lay in modular innovation, AI, and a mission sparked by a childhood shaped by disaster? In this episode, Natalie sits down with Aniruddha Sharma, CEO of Carbon Clean, to explore the transformative journey from student startup to global carbon capture leader. Aniruddha shares how a deep personal connection to environmental impact and a passion...

How can leaders transform go-to-market strategies by aligning sales, marketing, and customer experience while fostering a people-first culture and driving sustainable growth? In this episode, Brad McGinity draws on his deep experience as a founder, board member, and revenue leader to explore what it takes to build resilient go-to-market strategies. He shares lessons from transforming sales motions...

What does it take to lead a cybersecurity startup with empathy, clarity, and focus, while staying true to your vision and your customers' real needs? In this episode, Pete Martin, co-founder and CEO of Realm Security, shares his journey from leading at top cybersecurity firms to building a company focused on simplifying security data. He opens up about the importance of vulnerability in leadership...

How can leaders adapt, grow, and lead with impact in a rapidly evolving marketing landscape while staying true to their values and vision? In this special “Flip the Mic” episode of Shift & Thrive, Natalie celebrates one year of the podcast and kicks off season 2 by switching seats from host to guest. With colleague Cyndy Hunter stepping in as guest host, Natalie reflects on her journey as a B2...

What does it take to evolve from a startup into a global leader in a cutting-edge industry? In this re-air of Shift & Thrive, we’re bringing back a powerhouse conversation between Natalie and Matt McCrann, CEO of DroneShield. If you missed it the first time or need a second listen, you’ll hear Matt unpack how he’s guided his team through rapid growth, innovation, and the unique challenges of t...

What happens when startups align sales, marketing, and customer success from day one, and what role should AI and leadership play in that equation? In the first episode of our Go-to-Market miniseries, Natalie Nathanson sits down with Scott Brown, partner and head of platform and GTM at Cervin Ventures, to explore how early-stage companies can transform their growth strategies. They dive into Scott...

What if embracing empathy and intentionality could unlock your greatest business success? In this episode, Ricky Sun, founder and CEO of Tupa, joins Natalie Nathanson for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, mindset, and building a values-aligned company. From his shift to a more intentional way of living, fueled by meditation and spiritual practices, to navigating go-to-market strategy and...

What does it take to lead innovation across industries while staying true to your values? In this episode, Natalie sits down with François Dossa, a global executive whose journey spans banking, automotive, and tech consulting, to explore the answer. From launching a corporate venture fund to promoting sustainability, François shares how technology, diversity, and authenticity have shaped his leade...

What does it take to turn cutting-edge robotics into practical tools for farmers? In this episode of Shift & Thrive, Natalie is joined by Katie Bradford, co-founder and CEO of Rotate8. She shares how her team is making farming tech more accessible, modular, and repairable. From her transition from engineer to leader to her vision for slow, sustainable growth, Katie offers insights on collabora...

What does it take to scale a cybersecurity startup into a globally recognized company while maintaining trust and team culture? In this episode, Natalie sits down with Varun Iravatham, CEO of NopalCyber, to explore exactly that. From his transition from pro cricket to entrepreneurship, to building a thriving business with over 50 clients across three continents, Varun shares the pillars behind Nop...

What does it take to shift from a consulting model to a tech-driven product in a traditionally risk-averse industry like food safety? In this episode of Shift & Thrive, Natalie Nathanson interviews Karim Khinouche, founder and CEO of Novolyze, about his journey from industrial engineer to food safety innovator. Karim shares how his company evolved from a consulting firm into a scalable tech pl...

What does it take to lead with confidence, navigate acquisitions, and build a high-performing team? In this episode, Natalie sits down with Craig Dunham, CEO of Voltron Data, to discuss his career journey, leadership philosophy, and the key lessons he’s learned along the way. Craig shares insights from his time as CEO of Lumar and GM at Guild Education, as well as his experience leading Seismic th...

What does it take to scale a sales organization, navigate rapid growth, and lead with innovation? In this episode, Natalie interviews Ben Eisenberg, CEO of People Data Labs, about his journey from intern to CEO. They discuss his unique go-to-market strategies, leadership philosophy, and the power of customer feedback in product development. Ben shares insights on hiring, measuring success, and fos...

How can leaders drive innovation while staying true to their core mission, especially in times of rapid change? In this episode of Shift & Thrive, Natalie sits down with Sarah Lehman, CEO of Zartico, to discuss leadership, innovation, and the power of data-driven decision-making. Sarah shares her journey from leading technology companies to transforming Zartico’s approach during the COVID-19 p...

What does it take to live a life of courage, risk, and purpose? In this episode, Natalie sits down with John Graham, adventurer, author, and activist, to explore the power of bold decisions, from negotiating high-stakes diplomacy to surviving a burning ship. John shares insights on leadership, integrity, and the transformative impact of storytelling, leaving listeners with a compelling call to emb...

What mindset shift does it take to go from being a founder to a truly effective CEO? In this episode of Shift & Thrive, Natalie sits down with Richard Walker, CEO of Quik!, to explore his evolution from launching his first business at 12 to leading a company focused on revolutionizing digital forms processing. We dive into the power of visionary servant leadership, the tough decisions that com...

Entrepreneur Debo Onifade, CEO of DelonApps and DelonJobs, shares how he pivoted his company from hardware to digital services, scaling to 200 employees in under four years. He discusses his coaching-based leadership style, niche market strategy, and the lessons he’s learned from rapid growth. He also reflects on the importance of adaptability, investing in young talent, and building strong partne...

How can small businesses balance investing in marketing and technology while navigating economic downturns and staying ahead of industry trends? In this episode, Natalie interviews Nathan Whittacre, founder and CEO of Stimulus Technologies, about his journey from starting a business at 11 to leading a successful IT firm. He shares insights on organic growth through referrals, the importance of inv...

How can AI-driven robotics transform logistics and supply chain operations while overcoming the challenges of real-world unpredictability? In this episode, Natalie sits down with Samir Menon, founder and CEO of Dexterity, to explore his journey as an entrepreneur and leader in the robotics industry. They discuss the evolution of "physical AI," how Dexterity is revolutionizing logistics with AI-dri...

On this episode of Shift & Thrive, Natalie interviews Sriram Subramanian, co-founder, and CEO of Link to Any. They talk about his journey from senior roles at PayPal and HP to building a SaaS platform that streamlines integration for SMBs in the hospitality, retail, and service industries. Sriram shares insights on sales, product innovation, and leadership—emphasizing autonomy, cultural fit, a...

How can IoT revolutionize industries, enhance safety, and drive innovation in a rapidly evolving tech landscape? In this episode of Shift & Thrive, Natalie sits down with Kelly Ireland, a trailblazing tech entrepreneur with 40 years of experience in IT. As the founder, CEO, and CTO of CBT, Kelly shares her journey from self-taught programmer to industry leader, highlighting her company’s strat...

What if the key to unlocking groundbreaking innovation wasn’t just about hiring the right talent or hosting occasional brainstorming sessions, but rather about fundamentally reshaping how organizations operate? In this episode of Shift & Thrive, Natalie sits down with Daniel Theobald, a visionary in robotics and a pioneer in fostering innovation within organizations. Daniel shares invaluable i...

How can businesses leverage technology to simplify food donations while building strong partnerships with nonprofits to tackle food insecurity more effectively? In this episode of Shift & Thrive, Natalie interviews Kimberly Smith, CEO of Copia, a company revolutionizing food donation through technology. Kimberly shares how Copia automates surplus food redistribution, simplifying the donation p...