Tech Whisperers: Inside the Playbooks of the Best Digital Leaders

With AI turning the traditional leadership playbook on its head, many leaders are finding themselves stuck in cycles of pilots, experimentation, and uncertainty. Marianne Johnson, EVP & Chief Product Officer at Cox Automotive, is one of the select few who are already creating real business impact, rewriting the playbook and redefining what’s possible in the process. In this episode of Tech Whisperers, we’re shining a light on Marianne’s enterprise leadership story, which involves orchestrating one of the largest business transformations in the industry, grounded in the conviction that AI starts and ends with people.

Marianne shares...

While many leaders spend their careers trying to avoid uncertainty, GE Aerospace CIO David Burns has built his by embracing it. After more than 25 years leading through transformation, disruption, and some of the biggest moments in modern business and technology, David has developed a leadership philosophy rooted in continuous learning, developing people, and helping teams thrive when the path ahead is anything but clear.

In this episode of Tech Whisperers, we are shining the light on David’s journey and exploring what it takes to lead through turbulence, build high-performing teams, create a culture of continuous improvement, an...

Jane Connell began her career without a college degree and no pre-determined path to executive leadership. Yet through grit, curiosity, authenticity, and an unwavering belief that leadership is ultimately about people, she has built one of the most respected careers in technology. In this episode, we are shining the light on Jane’s remarkable journey ahead of her induction into the CIO Hall of Fame.

Through a diverse group of Mystery Questioners who help us answer the question “What Would Jane Do?” Jane is sharing the leadership philosophies, career-defining moments, and deeply personal lessons that shaped her four-d...

While many leaders will put technology and innovation at the center of the story, Sal Companieh, Chief Digital & Information Officer at Cushman & Wakefield, keeps people, trust, and authentic relationships at the center instead. In this episode of Tech Whisperers, Sal sits down with host Dan Roberts for one of the most thoughtful leadership conversations we’ve ever featured.

We’re unpacking Sal’s leadership playbook to learn how empathy, curiosity, trust, and human connection have become the foundation of innovation at scale inside a 53,000-person global organization.

Connect with Sal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salume...

What does successful leadership look like in the age of AI, constant disruption, and accelerating change? In this episode, Dan Roberts sits down with Sears Merritt, CIO at MassMutual. Rather than chasing headlines, Sears has spent more than a decade building systems, teams, and cultures that consistently deliver impact, all while staying deeply grounded in purpose, accountability, and policyholder-first service.

We are unpacking Sears’ leadership playbook to learn how MassMutual approaches innovation inside a 175-year-old institution, why adaptability is becoming a timeless leadership skill, and how organizations can create environments where breakthrough thinking naturally emerges.

Co...

Today’s guest is a technology executive who has mastered the art of honoring a strong legacy while reinventing it in an era of massive disruption. Leigh-Ann Russell is the CIO and Global Head of Engineering at BNY, which was founded 240 years ago.

In this episode, Leigh-Ann is opening up her leadership playbook and sharing her perspectives on how to lead through chaos with clarity, why coherence is her defining word for today’s AI era, and how organizations can balance trust, innovation, and transformation at scale.

Tune in for expert advi...

This episode we’re sitting down with Sanjay Shringarpure, CIO at The Freeman Company, to unpack the intangibles of leadership. These are the qualities you can’t easily measure on a dashboard but are often the key difference between leaders who talk about transformation and those who actually achieve it.

Over his two decades of technology leadership experience, Sanjay has built a strong track record of leading major digital transformation projects by drawing on his ability to foster collaboration while delivering innovative solutions. From decision velocity to creating a culture of extreme transparency, he has mastered the inta...

There is no better guest to celebrate our 100th Whisperers episode with than Denise Russell Fleming, CIO and EVP of Technology & Global Services at BD. Denise has built a remarkable career across telecom, aerospace, defense, and healthcare, leading large-scale transformation while staying laser-focused on three vital areas: purpose, people, and impact. Throughout her leadership journey, her ability to ensure clarity and deliver outcomes at scale has made her the go-to for orchestrating the most complex cross-company, high-stakes initiatives.

Denise embodies everything it means to be a Tech Whisperer. In this episode, we’re unpacking her playbook, the ex...

What does it take to lead technology at enterprise scale in a world defined by AI, ambiguity, and nonstop disruption?

That’s one of the big questions we’re exploring in this episode with guest Mojgan Lefebvre, EVP and Chief Technology & Operations Officer at Travelers. Since joining the property casualty insurer in 2018, Mojgan has been the driving force behind its digital and operational transformations, modernizing core platforms, strengthening customer experience, and enabling business growth through technology.

Mojgan’s professional journey spans senior leadership roles across insurance, healthcare, consulting, and technology, with a perspective that’s been inf...

There are leaders who understand technology, and there are leaders who understand people, but when someone comes along who truly masters both, incredible things start to happen. Shelia Anderson, EVP and Chief Information & Digital Officer at Unum, is one of those rare and special leaders. A four-time CIO and Hall of Fame inductee, Shelia has built a career defined by transformation, resilience, and developing others.

In this episode, we are unpacking Shelia’s playbook to learn about:

In this episode, we are sitting down with Keith Ferrazzi, bestselling author of Never Eat Alone and Never Lead Alone, to talk about what leadership, teamship, and trust really look like in an AI-driven world, and how to strengthen relationships by embracing candor.

Drawing on his research and insights as well as strategies and tools from his books, Keith is opening up his playbook to share how leaders can stop thinking about AI in silos. We’ll explore the secrets to growing meaningful professional relationships, building high-performing teams, and leading in today’s dynamic and interconnected business envi...

In this episode, we are shining the light on a leader whose journey truly plays out like a movie. Sastry Durvasula has one of those rare stories that blends technical mastery, human-centered leadership, and bold reinvention. After starting out as an engineer, his career journey has included leading transformation for a number of big brand organizationizations. He’s now the Chief Operating, Information, and Digital Officer at TIAA, a $1.4 trillion, 100+ year-old financial institution. From film knowledge to navigating AI, uncertainty, and large-scale change, Sastry’s expertise knows no bounds, and now, you’re getting a front-row seat to tap into a...

In this era of accelerated disruption, leaders who have the right combination of clarity, courage, and conviction stand apart from the pack. GSK Chief Digital & Technology Officer Shobie Ramakrishnan brings all of that to the table—and then some! With her deep and broad experience in both biotech and hi-tech companies, Shobie has mastered the art of leading at scale, engaging the whole organization in digital transformation, and positioning herself to embrace what the future will bring. 

As Shobie shows us, the most successful leaders do more than keep up; they play offense. Join us as we unp...

After years of interviews with dozens of incredible digital leaders, we’ve explored countless “answer the call” moments, and as we’ve seen, great leaders don’t rely on luck to receive those calls. They place themselves in the right place at the right time so that when the time comes, they are at the top of the list. 

Jeanine Charlton, the Chief Technology & Digital Officer at Merchants Fleet, is a perfect example of such a leader. In this episode, we are unpacking Jeanine’s customer-first, business-first executive playbook, which has included having responsibility for a $2 billion P&L and 3,500...

This week, we are shining a light on Mike Anderson, Chief Digital & Information Officer at Netskope, to unpack the mindset and playbook behind his exceptional ability to “lift as he climbs.” Mike’s not your typical tech exec; he’s a business guy in an IT wrapper, someone who’s as comfortable in the boardroom as he is in the scrum room. 

From his early days at Schneider Electric to helping Netskope go public, Mike shares hard-earned lessons on balancing transformation with operational excellence, reshaping pressure into performance, and leveraging storytelling as a leadership superpower.

Tune in for...

This week, we are shining the light on one of the most intentional and inspiring CIOs in the game, Ken Piddington, Chief Digital, Technology, & Integration Officer at RelaDyne. Ken exemplifies what it means to be a leader who teaches, mentors, and communicates with purpose.

Over the years, we’ve collected several of his “Ken-isms,” the short, punchy expressions that encompass his leadership philosophy, strategy, and core beliefs. In this episode, we’ll explore these pillars of his leadership playbook and dig into how he uses teaching in his leadership approach, giving you new insights on how to lead tra...

Mindy Simon’s path from a Nebraska farm to her current role as Chief Operating Officer of Aon, where she helms a 22,000-person global operation, is anything but conventional—and that's exactly what makes her story so compelling. Mindy’s a great example of how embracing your roots can empower your future, and in this episode, we are shining a light on why she is the kind of transformational leader everyone wants on their team. 

We’re unpacking Mindy’s transformational leadership playbook, which is built around a people-first mindset, a sharp focus on measurable outcomes, and a rare calm...

In this episode we’re shining the light on the leadership superpowers and industry impact of Diane Schwarz, Group CIO of Smurfit Westrock, a global leader in sustainable packaging. Diane’s leadership style is a unique blend of calm confidence, strategic clarity, and operational excellence that turns traditional roles inside out. You’ll hear why those around her refer to her not just as a CIO but as a Chief Integration Officer, Chief Inspiration Officer, Chief Innovation Officer, and more.

We will unpack how Diane masterfully led the IT integration of two global giants, and we’ll dig into...

In this episode of Tech Whisperers, we are joined by two experts who are shaping the future of AI in the enterprise, Dr. Lisa Palmer, CEO of Dr. Lisa AI, and Ashwin Rangan, CEO at DoubleCheck Solutions. Lisa and Ash are sharing a wealth of practical, actionable insights to help us uncover why AI initiatives stall out at the “messy middle” and what leaders can do to reignite progress and start generating real business value. 

Not only have both Lisa and Ashwin walked in the shoes of a CIO, they are also the authors of new books that...

Over the past three years, we’ve had the privilege to sit down with more than 100 of the most visionary and impactful technology leaders across industries. They've shared their bold strategies and hard-earned lessons, and unpacked playbooks that are continuing to shape the future of leadership and innovation.

In this special “Best of the Best” episode, we’ve curated some of the top insights from our most listened-to episodes. From mastering the fundamentals of digital transformation to future-proofing organizations, balancing people and technology, resisting AI hype, and embracing adaptability, these episodes demonstrate the power of guiding principles in a noi...

Our CI4CI miniseries continues with guest Katrina Redmond, EVP and CIO of Eaton Corporation. As the world hits a historic inflection point in infrastructure — driven by AI, electrification, and massive investments in data centers and energy — Katrina is playing a pivotal role, helping lead one of the most mission-critical companies into the future.

Join us as we explore how Katrina is spearheading Eaton’s digital strategy in this era of rapid innovation, leading with bold strategy, operational excellence, and a refreshingly human approach. 

Tune in for valuable nuggets from Katrina’s leadership playbook, including:

In part 2 of our Critical Infrastructure for Critical Infrastructure (CI4CI) miniseries, we are joined by Mike Adams, a digital executive who is playing a leading role in this once-in-a-generation inflection point.

As the Chief Digital Technology Officer at Black & Veatch (BV), Mike has a front row seat to the critical infrastructure transformation being driven by the convergence of AI, data centers, and the energy transition. His career journey has been defined by a combination of fearless leadership and clear, inspiring communication, resulting in a leadership style that rallies teams and inspires decisive action. 

Join u...

The lightning-fast rise of AI has come with a cost: the need to overhaul America’s power grids, pipelines, and water systems to accommodate its explosive growth. As trillions of dollars pour into this complete overhaul, there are key leaders paving the way. 

In a special mini-series focusing on “Critical Infrastructure for Critical Infrastructure (CI4CI),” we’re shining the light on a few of the extraordinary tech leaders who are architecting, securing, and scaling the systems that power our nation and economy. Joining us to kick off the series is Afshean Talasaz, Senior Vice President and Chief Tec...

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but they’ll never forget how you made them feel.”

Perhaps no Tech Whisperer embodies that timeless Maya Angelou insight better than 7 Brew CIO Danyel Bischof-Forsyth. She is a master at creating cultures where people feel safe, empowered, and inspired, which means she isn’t just driving digital strategy, she is creating an environment where everyone is invested in driving it, too. Through it all, Danyel leads with authenticity, courage, grace, and kindness, no matter the situation.

So grab some coffee, settle in, and get...

Bhaskar Ramachandran is the powerhouse CIO behind PPG’s digital transformation. A master at driving culture change, building strong IT teams, and rallying everyone around the organization’s vision, he has a long track record of delivering real business results across industries. We were fortunate to have the opportunity to sit down with Bhaskar in person at PMI Digital’s studio in Pittsburgh for a deep-dive into the many facets of his leadership playbook.

In this episode, Bhaskar talks with Dan about his career journey and approach to his day-to-day role at PPG. He also unpacks a few of...

Tech Whisperer Earl Newsome is the pinnacle of modern, mission-driven IT leadership. Informed by a decade-long military career, Earl has fully unlocked his ability to lead through adaptation, inspiration, and ambition. Now, as the CIO of Cummins, Inc. and with 20 years of experience in corporate America under his belt, he has also become skilled at nurturing those traits in his team.

In this episode, Earl is treating us to a masterclass in how to lead, adapt, and inspire, drawing from his leadership playbook of foundational principles tailored to the real-world complexities of modern IT leadership. We’re al...

In this episode, we are sitting down with a very special guest who has had a massive impact on the CIO profession–Monte Ford. Monte is a CIO Hall of Fame inductee, an advisor to many of the top CIOs and business leaders, and a board member for several large companies, such as JetBlue and Centene. 

For all of his accolades and accomplishments, Monte is a leader who prefers to keep a low profile, so it was a thrill to have the opportunity to sit down with him and unpack his leadership playbook. Monte is opening up abo...

For this episode, we had the privilege of visiting the Regions Bank headquarters in Birmingham, Alabama, for an in-person conversation with Chief Enterprise Operations and Technology Officer Dan Massey. “Digital Dan,” as he’s known to many, embodies what it means to bridge technology, operations, and innovation at the highest level, ensuring technology is not just an enabler but a true driver of business value. He’s someone who is fully present no matter the situation, whether he’s leading a powerhouse organization of 5,000 employees, spending time with his family, or writing and performing music with his band of 30 years, The...

In this episode, we are shining the light on CIO Hall of Fame legend Adriana (Andi) Karaboutis and some of the incredible milestones that have defined her career—including a 21-year tenure in the automotive industry at Ford and General Motors, followed by technology and business leadership roles at Dell, Biogen, and National Grid. Now, Andi is focused on writing the next chapter in her professional story, serving as a director on four corporate boards.

Andi is opening up her leadership playbook to reflect on the challenges she’s overcome, the groundbreaking initiatives she’s led, and her vi...

With the rise of generative AI, CIOs and IT leaders are experiencing a leadership revolution. GenAI is shaking up both how we engage with technology and how leaders guide their organizations through adoption, governance, and innovation. 

We are thrilled to have the opportunity to sit down with Institute for the Future’s Bob Johansen and Gabe Cervantes and Handshake’s Jeremy Kirshbaum, whose new book “Leaders Make the Future, Third Edition: 10 New Skills to Humanize Leadership with Generative AI” is out this week. Be among the first to dive into this game-changing resource designed to give leaders clarity o...

 In this episode, we are featuring an extraordinary leader who's been blazing trails and inspiring countless others throughout her career. Amy Brady is the Chief Information Officer at KeyBank, where she leads the company's technology, operations, and services organizations.

Amy is the epitome of a leader who can seemingly do it all, and because of that she is making her mark across the industry while continually championing causes that uplift women in tech.  We're diving into Amy's incredible career journey, uncovering her leadership philosophies, and highlighting those career-defining moments and superpowers that make her so special and imp...

One of the hallmarks of a great Chief Technology Officer is that they are able to translate a passion for technology into a driving force for business success. Nationwide’s Jim Fowler is a CTO who does exactly that, by striving for “great” instead of settling for “good.” 

We are unpacking Jim’s 20+ years of experience across industries, companies, and countries to learn lessons from his career journey and his strengths as a visionary leader that can help CIOs and IT leaders at all levels achieve greatness. 

Join us as we explore Jim’s leadership playbook and lea...

This episode we’re shining the light on Kathy Kay, a leader whose name is synonymous with “building” — and she is a builder in every sense of the word. Kathy not only excels at developing high-performance teams, she extends that builder mindset across multiple areas in both her personal and professional lives.

In a wide-ranging conversation, Kathy is sharing how she applies her philosophy of building to her current role as EVP & CIO at Principal Financial Group. We’ll explore her strengths in building courage, collaboration, community, innovation, and family as she lives out a leadership style that balan...

Inducted in the CIO Hall of Fame in 2019, Zack Hicks is a leader who has left a major impact on the CIO profession through his relentless pursuit of innovation to drive new business outcomes. Having previously been the CEO of Toyota Connected and the Chief Digital Officer at Toyota Motor North America, Zack is now making his mark at Kimberly-Clark as their Chief Digital & Technology Officer.

With a career that includes numerous “answer-the-call” moments, Zack knows what it takes for leaders to deliver major wins for their organizations. In this episode, we’re unpacking some of those key mo...

While many CIOs are busy figuring out what the CIO’s role looks like today, our guest this week is already answering the question, “What does the CIO of tomorrow look like?” 

As EVP and Chief Information, Digital, and Corporate Strategy Officer at Tractor Supply Co., Rob Mills has been instrumental in driving the $14.6 billion retailer’s rapid growth, profitability, and world class customer experience. His influence and impact are expansive: He has a hand in P&L, serves on Tractor Supply’s executive committee, and also sits on numerous public and private boards.

Join us as we ta...

There are some Tech Whisperers who leave a legacy by investing their skills in just one or two companies across their career, and then there are those who leave their legacy by making their mark on several organizations throughout their career. As a whopping seven-time CIO and a three-time winner of the CIO100 Award, Mark Settle is a standout example of the latter. 

During his CIO journey, Mark somehow also made the time to publish two must-read books, Truth from the Valley, A Practical Primer on IT Management for the Next Decade and Truth from the Trenches: A...

You’re in for a special treat with this episode as we sit down with the GOAT, the greatest-of-all-time CIO, Robert B. Carter. Rob served as the CIO of FedEx for almost a quarter of a century, during which time he transformed IT strategy and led the company to unprecedented success, not to mention 27 straight CIO 100 Awards.

In this episode, we’re delving into Rob’s extraordinary 24-year tenure at FedEx and exploring the essence of leadership, the importance of humility, the role of mentorship, and the challenges and milestones that have defined his remarkable career.

Join...

As the leader of over 5,000 technologists, Monica Caldes, Global CIO at Liberty Mutual Insurance, has established herself as one of the top digital executives in the industry. She is one of those rare leaders that has figured out the secret formula for mixing boldness, courage, empathy, and kindness, making her a leader that people are eager to work under.

In this episode, we are shining the light onto Monica’s story to uncover the “It Factor” that makes her such an incredible leader, and we’ve included some really cool surprises for Monica along the way!

Join u...

In this episode, we are shining the light on Dr. Janet Sherlock, a digital and retail executive who leads through her expertise in digital transformation, customer experience, omnichannel strategy, data, and AI and machine learning. 

Janet’s career spans companies such as ExxonMobile, British Petroleum, and, for the last seven years, Ralph Lauren, where she served as Chief Digital & Technology Officer, driving the company’s digital transformation strategy and leading their global e-commerce strategy. 

Join us as we unpack Janet’s digital leadership playbook to learn:

There are leaders who know how to win big results, but don’t know how to win people, and then there are leaders who know how to win people, but don’t know how to win big results. NTT DATA North America CIO Barry Shurkey is one of those great leaders who knows how to win both in business and with his people. 

For this episode, we sat down with Barry at NTT DATA’s Innovation Center in Plano, Texas, to shine the light on his career journey and open up his tech leadership playbook so you can lea...