The Leadership Exchange

Tracy Lee sits down with Charlie Cichetti, a leader in green building and workforce upskilling, to unpack what it really takes to run high-performing, healthy, and profitable buildings. Charlie shares lessons from years helping companies pursue LEED and WELL certifications, navigate decarbonization, and turn sustainability goals into measurable ROI.They get into practical playbooks for retrofits vs. new builds, how policy and incentives shape project timelines, the role of data and AI in ongoing building performance, and the skills teams actually need to execute. You will also hear Charlie’s career advice for future sustainability leaders and a candid look at what separates projects that stall from ones that scale.Key Points from this Episode- Sustainability Certifications in Action: Charlie explains how organizations can pursue and maintain LEED and WELL certifications while aligning them with business goals.- Data and AI in Building Performance: They discuss how modern tools, from sensors to AI analytics, help monitor energy use, improve occupant health, and ensure long-term operational efficiency.- Retrofit vs. New Construction: Charlie shares the trade-offs, cost considerations, and policy influences that shape the decision between upgrading existing buildings and starting fresh.- Developing the Next Generation of Leaders : The conversation covers the skills future sustainability professionals need and practical career advice for breaking into and growing within the green building industry.Follow Tracy Lee on Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracyslee/Follow Charlie Cichetti on Linkeidn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanya-faddoul-917b81a/This Dot Labs Twitter: https://x.com/ThisDotLabsThis Dot Media Twitter: https://x.com/ThisDotMediaThis Dot Labs Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisdotlabs/This Dot Labs Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thisdot/This Dot Labs Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thisdotlabs.bsky.socialSponsored by This Dot: https://ai.thisdot.co/Chapters0:00 – Gratitude as the Antidote to Overwhelm1:08 – Introducing Guest Charlie Cichetti2:20 – Bourbon, Atlanta, and Shared Connections2:31 – Founding Schema.ai for Architects and Developers3:06 – Transition from Green Buildings to AI3:53 – Tips for Greening Your Business and Home Offices7:54 – AI Predictions and Data Privacy in Architecture13:26 – Enabling Early-Career Professionals with AI14:38 – Previous Ventures and Building Multiple Companies16:42 – How to Found and Operate Multiple Businesses22:02 – Avoiding Overwhelm While Leading28:14 – Patterns for Running Businesses in Tandem31:03 – Management vs. Leadership and the Five Levels34:18 – Final Sustainability and Leadership Tips35:01 – Bourbon as Community and Collection37:30 – Favorite Bourbons and Ryes40:44 – Closing Remarks and Where to Find Charlie

In this episode of the Leadership Exchange podcast, Tracy Lee sits down with Tanya Faddoul, VP of Strategy for Cisco’s Digital Resilience business. The two reflect on Tanya’s nonlinear journey from media sales to leadership roles at Amazon, DocuSign, and now Cisco. Tanya shares how she brings the voice of the customer into product strategy and how she’s navigating the fast-changing world of cybersecurity, AI, and digital transformation. They unpack how AI is reshaping internal collaboration, the urgency companies are feeling around reinvention, and why shared goals and customer-aligned narratives are key to healthy product and go-to-market partnerships.Key points from this episode:- Tanya Faddoul shares her unconventional path into tech leadership, highlighting lessons from her transitions between Amazon, DocuSign, and Cisco.- She emphasizes the importance of aligning product strategy with real customer pain points, using voice-of-customer insights and sentiment analysis.- The conversation explores how AI is transforming both external products and internal collaboration, enabling faster iteration and smarter decision-making.- Tracy and Tanya discuss the need for strong cross-functional partnerships, clear shared goals, and compelling narratives to drive successful digital transformation.Follow Tracy Lee on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracyslee/Follow Tanya Faddoul on Linkeidn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanya-faddoul-917b81a/This Dot Labs Twitter: https://x.com/ThisDotLabsThis Dot Media Twitter: https://x.com/ThisDotMediaThis Dot Labs Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisdotlabs/This Dot Labs Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thisdot/This Dot Labs Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thisdotlabs.bsky.social

In this episode of the Leadership Exchange podcast, Tracy Lee sits down with Atlanta-based investor, coach, and creator Von Wright for an honest conversation about purpose, transformation, and building a better future for yourself both personally and professionally. Von shares his journey from corporate success to finding deeper meaning in the “second half of life”, how personal challenges sparked radical change, and why he now focuses on impact-driven work. Von also breaks down why it’s important to invest in a healthy human economy and what he looks for in purpose-driven founders.Key points from this episode:- Von Wright shares how personal challenges pushed him to leave a successful corporate career and pursue more meaningful, purpose-driven work in the second half of his life.- He explains Zane Venture Fund’s focus on improving human health as a way to build a stronger, more sustainable economy.- He talks about creating Lifters of Men, a group that helps men through life transitions and encourages service, accountability, and support.- He describes what he looks for in founders, including a deep sense of purpose, lived experience with the problem, humility, and resilience.Chapters00:00 Trusting Yourself Over Outside Advice01:12 Meet Von Wright and the Many Roles He Plays04:47 What the Second Half of Life Really Means08:01 Futurecasting and the Pull to Create13:58 How Venture Capital Became a Path to Purpose15:43 What a Healthy Human Economy Looks Like21:04 Red Flags and Green Lights in Founders27:06 Von’s Personal Breaking Point and Reinvention32:28 The Question to Ask When You're at a Crossroads34:44 Tuning Out the Noise to Find Your PurposeFollow Von Wright on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vonwright/Follow Tracy Lee on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracyslee/This Dot Labs Twitter: https://x.com/ThisDotLabsThis Dot Media Twitter: https://x.com/ThisDotMediaThis Dot Labs Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisdotlabs/This Dot Labs Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thisdot/This Dot Labs Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thisdotlabs.bsky.socialSponsored by This Dot Labs: ai.thisdot.co

In this episode of Leadership Exchange, Rob Ocel sits down with John Aron, founder and CEO of Aronetics, to talk about authenticity in leadership, business, and government contracting. They explore what it takes to build trust and credibility as a small player in a space dominated by massive public and private institutions. John shares how staying grounded and transparent has helped him win trust in high-stakes environments, and how authenticity can scale from individuals to entire organizations. It’s a candid conversation about ambition, honesty, and why faking it just doesn’t cut it when the stakes are high.Key points from this episode:- John Aaron emphasizes the importance of being honest about your capabilities, especially in high-trust environments like government and defense. Trying to appear bigger than you are can backfire.- Despite competing with massive government contractors and enterprises, John shows how startups can hold their own by focusing on transparency, deep expertise, and consistent execution.- Authentic sales isn’t about manipulation. It's about clearly stating your value, understanding the other party’s needs, and seeking alignment, not just closing a deal.- As organizations grow, the authenticity of leadership sets the tone. Leaders who model transparency and integrity create space for their teams to do the same, building trust at every level.John Aaron Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jga/This Dot Labs Twitter: https://x.com/ThisDotLabsThis Dot Media Twitter: https://x.com/ThisDotMediaThis Dot Labs Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisdotlabs/This Dot Labs Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thisdot/This Dot Labs Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thisdotlabs.bsky.socialSponsored by This Dot Labs: ai.thisdot.co

In this episode of Leadership Exchange, Tracy Lee speaks with Karyn Mullins, a Fractional CTO, about how engineers can increase their impact by becoming more business-savvy. They unpack what it really means to “stay close to the money,” how understanding a company’s business model unlocks stronger engineering decisions, and why engineers should be involved early in strategic planning.Karyn shares practical advice for both engineers and business leaders: from how to identify a business-oriented engineer, to how cross-functional collaboration and exposure to customer needs can elevate careers and company outcomes. They also touch on AI, tech trends in healthcare, and why curiosity might be one of the most underrated engineering traits.Key takeaways from this episode:- Engineers who ask “why” instead of just “how” tend to be more aligned with business goals and create more impactful solutions.- Building relationships across departments like marketing and operations helps engineers gain context and improve decision-making.- Involving engineers early in strategic conversations leads to better outcomes, especially as AI shifts execution expectations.- Exposure to customer needs, through calls or direct feedback, helps engineers prioritize and design more valuable features.Follow Karyn Mullins on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karynmullins/Sponsored by This Dot: ai.thisdot.coChapters 00:00 – Why most AI projects fail and the need for early engineering involvement02:20 – “Stay close to the money”: what business-savvy engineering looks like06:00 – Why this mindset matters more now than ever09:18 – How to identify engineers who think like business partners13:47 – Practical ways engineers can become more business-aware14:17 – What leaders can do to support business alignment in engineering19:58 – The engineer’s role in customer experience and value delivery22:01 – Strategic engineers drive better business outcomes25:35 – A healthcare case study of early engineering impact28:13 – Three actions engineers can take this quarter30:23 – Rewarding curiosity and building inclusive cross-functional teams31:20 – Final thoughts: it’s a great time to be an engineer

How should business leaders approach AI?In this episode of Leadership Exchange, Rob Ocel sits down with Dr. Priya Sarathy to unpack what it really takes for organizations to adopt AI successfully. Priya shares insights from her executive workshop and upcoming book The AI Leadership Compass, emphasizing the critical role of leadership in making AI initiatives impactful and sustainable.They discuss why AI isn’t just a tech project, the importance of cross-functional stakeholder involvement, how to build AI fluency without hype, and why empathy matters more than ever. Whether you’re a tech-savvy leader or just starting to explore AI’s potential, this conversation is a practical guide to thinking strategically and humanely about transformation in the age of AI.Keypoints from this episode:- AI success starts with leadership engagement — Leaders must go beyond delegating AI initiatives to technical teams and develop personal fluency with the tools to guide strategy and measure impact effectively.- Business goals should drive AI adoption — AI shouldn’t be adopted for its own sake. Start with a clear business need, then explore how AI can enhance or support that objective.- Cross-functional collaboration is essential — Successful AI integration requires involvement from a wide range of stakeholders, including procurement, UX, and customers, not just data or engineering teams.- Empathy and communication reduce fear — Leaders must proactively address team concerns about AI replacing jobs by reframing the conversation around growth, new opportunities, and human strengths AI cannot replicate.Follow Priya Sarathi on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/priyasarathy/Sponsored by This Dot Labs: thisdotlabs.com

Tracy Lee talks with Felicia Schwartz about how to scale AI the right way. They cover what actually works beyond the hype, how to pick the right use cases, and why getting buy-in from your team matters more than fancy models. Felicia shares her six-step framework for real AI adoption and lessons from companies that got it right and wrong.Keypoints from this episode:- Scaling AI starts with business value, not technology hype. Felicia emphasizes the need to align AI initiatives with real business goals and measurable outcomes.- Leaders must demystify AI for their teams. Success starts with education and cross-functional collaboration, especially at the leadership and middle management levels.- Start small with high-impact use cases. A clear framework helps prioritize initiatives based on feasibility and value, avoiding the trap of “just checking the AI box.”-Feedback loops and transparency drive adoption. Sharing wins, failures, and learnings openly is key to building trust and momentum across the organization.Follow Felicia Schwatz on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/felicia-schwartz/Sponsored by This Dot Labs: thisdot.co

In this episode of the Leadership Exchange, Danny Thompson sits down with Dr. Stephanie Adams, Director of Intellectual Property and Grants at Micron Biomedical, to explore how Micron’s groundbreaking microneedle patch is redefining drug delivery. Stephanie shares how this painless, self-administered technology—already making waves in global vaccine distribution—could transform access to healthcare worldwide. They also discuss the intersection of IP protection and equitable access, the challenges of scaling a first-of-its-kind product, and how mission-driven innovation can drive real impact.Key points from this episode:- Micron Biomedical has developed a painless, self-administered microneedle patch for vaccines and injectables, reducing the need for cold storage and trained medical staff.- The technology is already being used in clinical trials in Africa with support from the Gates Foundation, showing promise in improving vaccine access in low- and middle-income countries.- Dr. Adams explains how Micron is protecting its innovations while keeping affordability and global accessibility at the core of its strategy.- She shares her journey from molecular biology and IP law to public health and biotech, emphasizing how aligning passion and skills can lead to meaningful, purpose-driven careers.Chapters0:00 – The Problem with At-Home COVID Tests0:46 – Meet Dr. Stephanie Adams3:04 – What Micron Biomed Is Building7:07 – How the Microneedle Patch Works10:02 – Solving Needle Phobia and Expanding Use Cases14:02 – Cold Chain Elimination and Global Distribution16:46 – Community Feedback and Early Impact19:36 – Balancing IP with Accessibility23:13 – Scaling Production and Regulatory Navigation26:02 – Stephanie’s Career Journey and Mission30:51 – Most Rewarding Moment and Final ThoughtsFollow Dr. Stephanie Adams on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-adams-ph-d-415b681/Sponsored by This Dot: thisdotlabs.com

In this episode of the Leadership Exchange podcast, Tracy Lee talks with Maria Thacker-Goethe, President and CEO of Georgia Life Sciences, to discuss the future of life sciences in Georgia and beyond. They talk about the growth of the local biotech and medtech ecosystem, the critical need for stronger innovation pipelines, and how collaborations between tech and life sciences are reshaping the industry.Maria shares insights on how AI, manufacturing, and public-private partnerships are driving change, the urgent need for federal investment to maintain U.S. leadership in biotech, and the realities of building a thriving life sciences workforce.Key Points from this Episode:- Georgia's life sciences ecosystem is growing rapidly, with strong university pipelines, a strategic location, and increasing focus on biomanufacturing—but continued collaboration and urgency are needed to stay competitive.- Cuts to NIH, NSF, and BARDA threaten the U.S.’s leadership in biotech. Maria stresses that public-private partnerships and sustained R&D investment are essential to maintain global standing.- AI, robotics, and advanced tech are transforming the sector. While life sciences move slower due to regulation, there's a growing opportunity to shorten timelines through thoughtful integration.- Life sciences is a high-risk, high-reward investment space. Scientific, regulatory, and reimbursement hurdles make returns slower and more complex than in tech, but the impact can be massive.Chapters0:00 – The risks and rewards of biotech01:17 – Atlanta’s life sciences ecosystem02:46 – What Georgia Life Sciences does05:11 – Georgia’s growth and competitive pressure07:29 – Innovation showcases and female founders10:14 – AI and emerging trends in life sciences13:07 – Biotech timelines vs tech timelines14:35 – How the US can stay globally competitive18:23 – Workforce, manufacturing, and trade policy24:02 – Investment risks in the life sciences sector30:07 – Biotech startup lifecycle and acquisition path32:43 – Where to learn more and stay connectedFollow Maria Thacker-Goethe on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariathacker/Sponsored by This Dot Labs: thisdotlabs.com

In this episode of The Leadership Exchange, Rob Ocel sits down with Shawn Wang—better known as Swyx—to explore how AI is reshaping the software industry from the inside out. Swyx shares his journey from parsing Bloomberg chat logs as a trader to co-founding the AI Engineer Summit and helping define the emerging discipline of AI engineering. He draws parallels to previous waves like frontend and DevOps, noting how AI engineering is quickly becoming its own specialization with unique practices, tools, and community norms.They discuss where AI is genuinely driving productivity—particularly for developers—and where hype still outpaces adoption. Swyx offers a grounded perspective on concepts like maintainability in the age of agents, and what it means for teams when both humans and machines are shaping the codebase. The episode also explores how leaders can navigate internal vs. external AI strategy and why building strong mental models is essential for staying ahead in a fast-moving field.Four Keypoints for this Episode:- AI engineering as a discipline – Swyx outlines how AI engineering is emerging as a distinct field, similar to how frontend and DevOps evolved, with its own tooling, best practices, and professional identity.- Real vs. hyped productivity gains – While AI tools have meaningfully increased productivity for developers, especially in coding workflows, broader low-code and no-code adoption has yet to deliver the same level of impact.- Rethinking maintainability – Traditional ideas of code maintainability may shift as agent-generated code becomes more common. Readability remains crucial, but flexibility and agent compatibility may redefine what "good" code looks like.- Leadership in an AI-augmented world – Leaders should focus on both internal and external AI use cases, develop frameworks for experimentation, and encourage teams to learn in public to stay adaptive in a fast-moving ecosystem.Follow Shawn Wang on Social MediaTwitter/X: https://x.com/swyxLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnswyxwang/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/swyx.ioSponsored by This Dot: thisdot.co