Vanessa is a serial business builder and technology innovator with over 25 years of experience across SAP, Trigger Media and McKinsey. The businesses she has built and relaunched are leaders in their verticals. She is the Co-Founder and CEO of Sugarwork, an enterprise SaaS knowledge sharing platform empowering employers to own and maintain the tacit knowledge, skills, and relationships that drive their businesses using generative AI. She was most recently Vice President of SAP.iO, SAP’s early-stage venture arm, where she oversaw SAP.iO’s North American Foundries in New York and San Francisco, and recruited and accelerated 87enterprise software startups. Prior to SAP, Vanessa was Chief Operating Officer at Trigger Media Group, a $22MM digital media incubator. She co-founded and was the interim CEO of Trigger’s portfolio companies: Inside Hook (digital media company &men’s lifestyle brand; sold to private equity) and Fevo (SaaS technology for group experiences in sports and music; Series C, market leader). She began her career at McKinsey & Company and was an Associate Partner in the Firm’s Media and Entertainment Practice, based in Amsterdam, London and New York. Sugarwork Vanessa currently serves as a Non-Executive director of Appen Ltd. (ASX: APX), a global AI data services company; and Goodman Group (ASX: GMG), a global industrial real estate company. She serves on the Audit Committee for Appen and the Sustainability& Innovation Committee for Goodman. Vanessa graduated magna cum laude with an AB in psychology from Harvard University and cum laude with a JD from Harvard Law School. She was a Fulbright Scholar at Universiteit Utrecht in the Netherlands where she conducted independent research on the International War Crimes Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia and the International Court of Justice. She serves as a member of Harvard University’s Board of Overseers, and as a Past President Director of the Harvard Alumni Association (was President from July2021 - June 2022). She lives in New York City with her husband and two children.

Jean-Claude F. Monney, a Digital Transformation Advisor and Co-founder of The Monney Group LLC, discusses his extensive experience with AI integration and digital strategy. He emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and personal growth, advocating for lifelong education. The conversation also delves into the evolving landscape of leadership in the age of AI, highlighting critical thinking and AI literacy. Jean-Claude stresses the value of diverse perspectives in knowledge acquisition, promoting open-mindedness as key to innovation and personal development.

Dr. Rachel Teague is a TEDx speaker and emerging authority in knowledge management, specializing in the human aspects of knowledge sharing. She shares her transformative journey, emphasizing the significance of mentorship and unexpected opportunities. The conversation delves into the dynamics of knowledge transfer, the importance of community-building in organizations, and effective change management strategies. Rachel also touches on the ongoing debate of viewing knowledge as an asset versus a resource, advocating for a people-centered approach to enhance collaboration and learning.

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Discover the KM Landscape 2025 initiative, aimed at redefining global knowledge management through collaborative efforts. Hear about the evolving practices within organizations, focusing on collaboration and accessibility. The discussions highlight the critical need for standardized terminology and constant improvements. Additionally, the podcast emphasizes the importance of diverse perspectives in shaping knowledge management standards, inviting both professionals and outsiders to contribute to this dynamic field.

Stefano Scaglioni, a Product Assurance and Safety Manager at the European Space Operations Center, discusses the importance of quality and process improvement in satellite operations. He explores the collaborative dynamics of scientific missions and the significance of camaraderie among team members. Stefano emphasizes how effective knowledge management and quality assurance empower teams and shares insights on the structured approach to learning from experiences. He even spices things up with anecdotes about Italian cuisine, including perfect wine pairings!

Blake Melnick, a seasoned leader in knowledge management and workplace innovation, discusses the critical role of innovation in enhancing employee satisfaction and organizational performance. He distinguishes between innovation and invention, emphasizing that anyone can innovate without extensive resources. Blake dives into the importance of nurturing an innovation-friendly culture, sharing real-world examples, and the concept of intrapreneurship. He explores learning from failures as a continuous innovation journey and underscores the necessity of a supportive mindset for effective knowledge management.

Kim Sherwin, Director of Knowledge at Aurecon, brings over 20 years of expertise in libraries and knowledge management. She discusses the transformative journey from librarianship to knowledge management, emphasizing the power of converting information into actionable knowledge. Kim explores fostering a culture of knowledge sharing in organizations, framing knowledge as an economic asset. With a focus on communication and storytelling, she highlights how to embed knowledge into corporate processes and navigate challenges with adaptability and collaboration.

Rachad Najjar, Ph.D, an expert in organizational learning and knowledge management, dives into the fascinating world of artificial intelligence. He dispels myths about AI, showcasing its limitations compared to human intelligence and its historical rise. Rachad raises ethical concerns regarding privacy and the need for global standards in AI. He emphasizes citizen-led tech for sustainability, pointing out the environmental costs of data centers. Finally, he highlights the essential role of emotional intelligence in knowledge management, showcasing how interpersonal skills drive learning.

Sven Rinke, a director of Knowledge Management & Learning Strategy at a global fintech and PhD in Theoretical Physics, shares invaluable insights on cultivating learning cultures. He discusses innovative virtual engagement strategies that evolved to enhance organizational culture through curiosity and collaboration. Sven emphasizes the complexity of interpersonal communication in workplaces, the importance of a people-centric approach in knowledge management, and the transformative role of AI tools in streamlining creative processes.