CTO Confessions Brought to you by IT Labs

In this episode, Eric Levin shares his journey to becoming CTO and how taking calculated risks shaped his leadership style, one that's purpose-driven and people-focused. Key takeaways: - Why calculated risks are essential for growth - How transparency can strengthen team dynamics - Why embracing hard, boring tasks matters for leadership Tune in for an honest look at leadership in action. Important Risk Information: GCM Grosvenor (NASDAQ: GCMG) is a global alternative asset management solutions provider across private equity, infrastructure, real estate, credit, and absolute return investment strategies. Investments in alternatives are speculative and involve substantial risk, including market risks, credit risks, macroeconomic risks, liquidity risks, manager risks, counterparty risks, interest rate risks, and operational risks, and may result in the possible loss of your entire investment. No assurance can be given that any investment will achieve its objectives or avoid losses. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. The views expressed are for informational purposes only and are not intended to serve as a forecast, a guarantee of future results, investment recommendations or an offer to buy or sell securities by GCM Grosvenor. All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice in reaction to shifting market, economic, or political conditions. GCM Grosvenor® and Grosvenor® are trademarks of GCM Grosvenor and its affiliated entities. ©2025 GCM Grosvenor L.P. All rights reserved. Our Guest: Eric Levin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/levin-eric/ Website: http://www.gcmgrosvenor.com Intro and background music: Craig MacArthur - Power Shutoff (www.youtube.com/watch?v=x74iB_jtauw)

In this episode, Joe Hsy shares his approach to leading with innovation while balancing the benefits and risks of emerging tech—especially AI and data privacy. From scaling teams without micromanaging to aligning technology with real business value, Joe offers thoughtful insights for every tech leader. Key takeaways: - Ethical use of data and building trust - Balancing AI’s potential with its risks - Leading without micromanaging - Using tech to enhance in-location customer experiences Our Guest: Joe Hsy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joehsy/ Website: https://inbound.raydiant.com/ Intro and background music: Craig MacArthur - Power Shutoff (www.youtube.com/watch?v=x74iB_jtauw)

How do tech leaders build scalable, sustainable systems without descending into chaos? Rob Molchon, CTO of Vestwell, shares his insights on structuring order in fast-moving tech environments. We also take a quick trip down memory lane to see just how far tech has come. Key takeaways from the podcast are: – Clear ownership ensures tasks get done without constant oversight. – Strong foundations start with the right team in the right positions. – Change is inevitable; managing it wisely is key. Our Guest: Rob Molcon LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-molchon-2160652/ Website: https://www.vestwell.com/ Intro and background music: Craig MacArthur - Power Shutoff (www.youtube.com/watch?v=x74iB_jtauw)

The tech sector can be highly specialized, especially for leaders in biotechnology. In this episode of CTO Confessions, host TC Gill chats with Guy Yachdav, Senior Director at Immunai. Tune in for insights into his leadership journey. Key takeaways from the podcast are: - Academia and tech intersect in exciting ways, like using machine learning to predict the unpredictable. - Leadership in both fields means helping individuals transition, fostering self-leadership, and easing onboarding. - Rapid tech changes demand easy-to-adopt tools and opportunities for hands-on learning. Our Guest: Guy Yachdav LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gyachdav/ Intro and background music: Craig MacArthur - Power Shutoff (www.youtube.com/watch?v=x74iB_jtauw)

In this episode of CTO Confessions, Dan Van Tran shares how AI and tech power the authentication of collectibles, from cards to video games. We explore AI-driven pricing, scaling tech teams, and servant leadership in a unique industry. Key takeaways: - AI’s role in authenticating and valuing collectibles - Why emotions matter in price estimation - The challenges of scaling and leading with transparency Our Guest: Dan Van Tran LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dantran/ Website: https://www.collectors.com/ Intro and background music: Craig MacArthur - Power Shutoff (www.youtube.com/watch?v=x74iB_jtauw)

In this episode, we explore how emotions and technology work together to support employee growth. Tune in for a thoughtful discussion on what happens when technology meets emotions within the context of an organization. Key takeaways from the podcast are: - Aligning executive vision with employee execution fosters a unified direction. - Unstructured company survey language reveals emotions and intent, now decipherable with technology. - Encouraging risk-taking empowers employees to experiment and grow. - Balancing uniqueness with shared experiences enhances relevance and appeal. Our Guest: Armen Berjikly LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/armenb/ Website: https://www.betterup.com/ Intro and background music: Craig MacArthur - Power Shutoff (www.youtube.com/watch?v=x74iB_jtauw)

In this episode of CTO Confessions, TC Gill talks with engineering leaders Matt Culver & Nomaan Ahmed from Super.com about how data-driven decision-making shapes both engineering and company culture. They explore the role of data in leadership, team dynamics, and fostering a strong workplace culture. Key Takeaways: - Measuring the right things, even intangibles like happiness, helps build a strong organizational foundation. - Leaders must listen, adapt, and embrace feedback to avoid blind spots and poor decisions. – Hiring for cultural alignment and fostering organic team connections strengthens the workplace. Success depends on a team-driven mindset, the ability to pivot, and a shared vision. Our Guests: Matt Culver & Nomaan Ahmed LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattculver/ & https://www.linkedin.com/in/nomaanahmed/ Website: https://www.super.com/ Intro and background music: Craig MacArthur - Power Shutoff (www.youtube.com/watch?v=x74iB_jtauw)

What makes a great tech leader? Savas Karas, CTO of CAPREIT, believes it starts with kindness, support, and open feedback loops. In this episode of CTO Confessions, he shares how fostering a strong culture helps teams stay motivated, aligned, and unafraid of challenges. Key takeaways from the podcast are: - A shared vision keeps teams focused on meaningful goals. - Honest feedback leads to better decisions and stronger teams. - Embracing failure encourages innovation and growth. - Kindness builds trust, the foundation of great leadership. Our Guest: Savas Karas LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/savaskaras/ Website: https://www.capreit.com/ Intro and background music: Craig MacArthur - Power Shutoff (www.youtube.com/watch?v=x74iB_jtauw)

In this episode of CTO Confessions, our host TC Gill and guest Daniel Natic dive into the complex role of leadership in tech, exploring the balance between managerial expertise and deep technical knowledge. Key takeaways from the podcast are: - Tech leaders must stay sharp. Keep up with trends, drive change, and understand your team’s decisions. - Treat tools as resources, set aside ego and focus on efficiency. - Challenge the status quo. Streamlining operations is key; change is inevitable, lead it. Our Guest: Daniel Natic LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-natic/ Website: https://finquery.com/careers/ Intro and background music: Craig MacArthur - Power Shutoff (www.youtube.com/watch?v=x74iB_jtauw)

In this episode of CTO Confessions, we explore the dynamic relationship between educational standards, student engagement and the role of artificial intelligence. Listen to Todd Ellermann’s perspective on how these elements intersect and how they are shaping the future of EdTech. Key takeaways - EdTech companies must understand state-specific standards to succeed in U.S. K-12 education. - Engaging students used to TikTok-like content is a growing challenge. - AI in assessments sparks debates on integrity, skills mastery, and EdTech’s role. Our Guest: Todd Ellermann LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddecus/ Website: https://www.imaginelearning.com/ Intro and background music: Craig MacArthur - Power Shutoff (www.youtube.com/watch?v=x74iB_jtauw)