Tech Whisperers: Inside the Playbooks of the Best Digital Leaders

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 us as we unpack Mike’s playbook to learn:Mike’s guiding principles for high-stakes decision makingHow he developed BV’s digital technology strategyWhy Mike is embracing the physical and digital aspects of new technologyThe defining moment that propelled Mike’s CIO JourneyHow Mike stood out as a leader among his peersFeaturing submitted questions from:Josh Edwards, Global Director of Data Science & Operations, Black & VeatchJoy Johnson, SVP, Office of the CDTO, Black & VeatchPhuong Tram, Retired CIO of Dupont, Chief Digital Advisor, FPTDani Brown, SVP & CIO, Whirlpool Corporation, 3x Board DirectorGreg Lane, CIO, State of DelawareAndi Le, Chief Digital Officer, FMC Corporation

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 Technology & Data Officer at Colonial Pipeline Company. Afshean is a visionary and humble leader who tackles the complex and challenging problems others avoid while letting the results speak for themselves. From his perspectives on AI and tech innovation to his insights on problem-solving, communication, and vision, you are guaranteed to walk away with lessons that will help you level up your own Tech Whisperer playbook.Join us as we unpack Afshean’s playbook to learn:The importance of a tight CEO-CIO relationshipHow Afshean developed his ability to anticipate upcoming trendsHow investing in the artistic side of his brain has influenced Afshean’s leadershipHow to manage the risk that comes with high-stakes, visionary decision-makingHow to ensure that every project returns a financial value to the businessWhy digitization is vital to long-term successImportant considerations before layering AI on top of current business processesFeaturing submitted questions from:Bo Rogers, VP for Process Excellence & Strategic Projects at Colonial PipelineDavid Benham, Co-Founder and Chief Product & Technology Officer at ROAM AIJohn Dickson, CISO, Colonial PipelineBuck Wheaton, Director of IT Commercial Product Lines, ONEOK

“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 ready to be energized and inspired!Tune in for Danyel’s advice on:Entering the tech industry as a womanNavigating organizational politicsElevating teams in periods of adversityBuilding complex long-term strategies that don’t require constant adjustmentsLeading as both a manager and as a team memberFeaturing submitted questions from:Mike Goodwin, 4x Board Member, 2x CIO, West Point Grad, Army VeteranTom Reiter, IT Executive, Danyel’s Former Hallmark ColleagueDave Caldwell, International CIO, Digital LeaderStephanie Quillen, Chief People Officer, 7 BrewCassie Attlebery, Founder & Principal, Talent Outside the Lines & Former HR DirectorMike Anderson, Chief Digital & Information Officer, NetskopeTiffany Benitez, Head of Data Governance, Compass USA

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 his leadership superpowers, including his ability to stay open and connected with his team members as much as possible while still maintaining progress toward his leadership goals.Tune in for Bhaskar’s insights on:How the digital IT strategy is formed and executed in relation to the overall company visionHis approach to driving culture change and adoptionHow to balance making time for your team with staying productive and on schedulePersonal responsibility for one’s career journeyHow to build a people-driven culture where IT is the engine fueling innovation, growth, and customer valueFeaturing submitted questions from:Martha Heller, Founder of Heller Search & The Heller ReportKim Mackenroth, VP & CIO, L3Harris TechnologiesGary Cantrell, 2x CIO & Former BossKevin Peer, IT Leader & Former Direct ReportLaura Harshberger, Global IT Director, PPGChris Cassotis, CEO, Pittsburgh International Airport, Fellow Board Director, S&T BankChris Caruso, Former CIO, PPG, Carnegie Mellon University Lecturer & Advisor

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 also exploring how his life’s journey has shaped him into the leader he is today, and how you can integrate some of his philosophies into your own personal and professional journeys.Tune in for Earl’s wisdom and perspective on:What he learned from the military and his 10-year stint in consultingHow he helps his team members become their best selvesHow to align an organization’s strategic level with its execution levelHow to apply “divergent thinking” to problem-solvingThe importance of doing the simple things wellThe “Plus-One Philosophy” for personal growthFeaturing submitted questions from:Dr. Janet Sherlock, Founder & CEO of Org.Works, Former CIO, Board Member, AdvisorBonnie Fetch, EVP & President for Operations, Cummins Inc.Gina Stead, Executive Director for IT, Cummins Inc.Shellye Archambeau, 6x Board Director, Former CEO, Author of Unapologetically AmbitiousChris Cardell, Personal FriendMichelle Greene, CIO of Cardinal Health, Board DirectorKimberly Saxton, CEO of The TechPACT, Advisor, IT Executive

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 about his career journey, his transition into the board room, what he has learned serving on boards, and more. Listen in to discover some of the many reasons Fortune Magazine named him one of the 50 smartest people in technology.Join us as Monte shares his insights on:The evolving influence of corporate tech leadersThe traits that separate great CIOs apartThe leadership qualities that are most important in a digital-first environmentHow he builds and maintains a strong relationship networkHow he weaves forward-thinking into his leadership approachFeaturing submitted questions from:Rob Carter, FedEx CIO (ret), Board Director, Episode 60 GuestJim Fowler, CIO, Nationwide, Episode 65 GuestKathy Kay, CIO, Principal Financial Group, Episode 64 GuestJohn Repko, 5x CIO, Board Member, AdvisorZack Hicks, CIO, Kimberly Clark, Episode 63 GuestMichelle Greene, CIO, Cardinal Health, Board DirectorSabina Ewing, CIO, Abbott

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 Shivers.Dan is opening up his leadership playbook to trace how his career journey and experiences have shaped him into the leader he is today.Join us as we explore Dan’s unique ability to translate business and technology, including:How he seamlessly translates between tech, engineering, and business talkHow he manages through conflicting agendas or stakeholdersHow he is navigating digital transformation at RegionsThe value of combining operations and technology in a large organizationDan’s approach to balancing his personal and professional lifeFeaturing submitted questions from:Ken Meyer, CIO of Enterprise Functions Technology, Wells FargoKate Danella, Head of Consumer Bank, Regions BankAnil Cheriyan, 3x CIO, Board Member & AdvisorAmeet Shetty, CDO – US Information Solutions, EquifaxScott Case, Head of Technology & Operations, Prudential FinancialRiley Massey, Dan’s DaughterWill Jones, Media Manager, Band Member

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 vision for the future. We’ll also explore some of the moments that shaped her into an industry trailblazer.Join us as we discuss key lessons from Andi’s career, including:How to cultivate effective collaboration with C-suite executivesHow a mindset shift on failure helped her build resilienceWhat led to her career transition to DellHow to simplify complex problems and ideasAndi’s “rewirement” approach to retirementFeaturing submitted questions from:Marv Adams, Strategic Advisor, Former CIO/COO/PresidentRalph Szygenda, Former Board Director, CXOJeanine Charlton, CIO, Merchants FleetJustin Mennen, CIO, Shake ShackAlvina Antar, CIO, Zuora & Okta (ret.)Tim Dickson, CIO, Regal RexnordMindy Simon, Global Chief Operating Officer, AON

Join futurist Bob Johansen, foresight expert Gabe Cervantes, and generative software innovator Jeremy Kirshbaum as they explore how generative AI is reshaping leadership. They discuss essential skills for CIOs, including 'future back' thinking and the shift from VUCA to BANI. Discover how to ethically embrace AI while fostering human-centric leadership, and learn how resilience and emotional intelligence are key in this rapidly evolving landscape. Get ready for insights that promise to transform your approach to leadership!

 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 impactful. Join us as we explore insights from Amy’s leadership playbook, including:How and why to embrace new roles, even when you don’t feel readyAmy’s advice on developing your skills as a public speakerThe importance of maintaining a continuous learning mindsetAmy’s lessons learned from experiences early in her careerFeaturing submitted questions from:Marc Gordon, Senior Advisor, Boston Consulting GroupKeith Silvestri, Chief Technology Officer, KeyBankMike Onders, EVP & CIO, KeyBankStan Brady, Amy’s HusbandJim Merlino, MD, EVP & Chief Innovation Officer, The Joint CommissionCaroline Eberle, Gartner Business Development Executive