CEO: Behind the Scenes

Imamu ‘Mu’ Tomlinson, a practicing emergency physician and CEO who leads clinician-driven innovation, talks about leadership forged by frontline adversity. He explores staying close to patients, clinician-led innovation, equity as an organizational capability, measuring fulfillment over burnout, and scaling culture without diluting purpose.

Most leaders see sustainability as a necessary expense, but Alexander Hauser, CEO of TTSP HWP, believes that mindset is holding businesses back. In this episode of CEO: Behind the Scenes, Hauser draws on decades of experience designing and developing data centers across Europe to explain how energy grid constraints, often framed as roadblocks, can actually unlock innovation, efficiency and long-term value.Hauser explores how integrating renewables and smarter energy design can dramatically reduce operating costs and what the rapid rise of AI means for infrastructure, energy demand and leadership decision-making. He also shares why he refuses to accept “it’s not possible” as an answer and what it takes to build value inside imperfect systems.This conversation offers a sharp reframing of sustainability as a strategic advantage and a compelling case for why the leaders willing to challenge assumptions are the ones shaping what comes next. Access our free digital content: https://digitalmag.theceomagazine.com   Follow us:   LinkedIn: @the-ceo-magazine-global   Facebook: @theceomagazineglobal   X: @ceomagazinegl  Instagram: @theceomagazineglobal     Follow Alexander Hauser and TTSP HWP: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-hauser-9a6572a3/ Website: https://ttsp-hwp.de/en/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marc Potter, CEO of Actian and expert in data intelligence, discusses the pitfalls of chasing AI cost savings without a solid data foundation. He highlights the urgency for organizations to address data quality to prevent poor AI outcomes. Marc introduces the concept of governance-by-design, stressing the importance of classifying data correctly. He also offers insights on how to drive AI adoption through education and clear use cases, plus the need for thoughtful, value-driven AI strategies instead of rushed implementations.

AI is reshaping industries, yet many leaders still struggle with effective adoption. In this episode of CEO: Behind the Scenes, Optimal Blue CEO Joe Tyrrell explains why AI initiatives often fail in complex, high-stakes environments and what it takes to make them succeed.Tyrrell shares how to overcome operational resistance, why outdated processes cannot simply be automated and how AI can reduce human bias when applied with precision. He highlights the difference between interesting and important data and the mindset leaders need to create real value with emerging technology.If you want to understand how AI can succeed where traditional systems fall short, you won’t want to miss this conversation. Access our free digital content: https://digitalmag.theceomagazine.com Follow us:  LinkedIn: @the-ceo-magazine-global   Facebook: @theceomagazineglobal   X: @ceomagazinegl Instagram: @theceomagazineglobal  Follow Joe Tyrrell and Optimal Blue: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joetyrrell4/ Website: https://www2.optimalblue.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maximilian Werner, Founder and CEO of INSPIRED, a platform democratizing access to innovations, discusses the hidden challenges innovators face. He reveals that lack of visibility often outweighs funding issues in bringing ideas to life. Maximilian emphasizes the power of visual storytelling in attracting support and how community-driven approaches can accelerate solutions to global problems. He also highlights the importance of showcasing prototypes to engage supporters while maintaining essential secrets.

What happens when a CEO reimagines the dentist’s chair as a powerful gateway to whole-person health? In this episode of CEO: Behind the Scenes, Sarah Chavarria, CEO and President of Delta Dental of California, shares how her bold leadership is reshaping access to care for millions of people. Chavarria reflects on the future of preventative care and the creation of an innovation clinic that uncovered lifesaving insights. She also explores how curiosity, trust and courageous thinking fuel the cultural transformation behind this work. This conversation offers an inspiring look at the vision, commitment and innovative leadership that are reshaping the future of healthcare access for communities everywhere. Access our free digital content: https://digitalmag.theceomagazine.com Follow us:  LinkedIn: @the-ceo-magazine-global   Facebook: @theceomagazineglobal   X: @ceomagazinegl Instagram: @theceomagazineglobal  Follow Sarah Chavarria and Delta Dental of California: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahchavarria/ Website: https://www1.deltadentalins.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it mean for leaders to truly invest in their people? In this episode of CEO: Behind the Scenes, Finseca CEO Marc Cadin shares how responsibility, mentorship and meaningful relationships shape effective leadership. Cadin breaks down the lessons that guided his leadership journey, the importance of listening and how he unified eight nonprofits into one mission-driven organization. He also explains why employee financial security is essential for performance and resilience. The conversation highlights how responsibility, trust and financial security contribute to stronger, more confident teams. It’s a must-listen for leaders who want to support their people and create lasting impact. Access our free digital content: https://digitalmag.theceomagazine.com Follow us:  LinkedIn: @the-ceo-magazine-global   Facebook: @theceomagazineglobal   X: @ceomagazinegl Instagram: @theceomagazineglobal  Follow Marc Cadin and Finseca: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-cadin-059014a Website: https://www.finseca.orgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most leaders think company culture is about values on walls and team-building events, but what if they're missing the most important element? In this episode, Amaysim Vice President Virinder Nath reveals the single transformation that turns struggling teams into self-managing powerhouses and why execution beats perfect strategy every time. From his journey leading 20,000-plus team members in India to building startup energy at one of Australia's largest mobile virtual network operators, Nath shares the belief-action-results formula that drives consistent high performance. Packed with practical insights on leadership philosophy, team dynamics and sustainable growth strategies, this conversation will challenge everything you thought you knew about building a successful culture. Listen now to discover how to transform ordinary teams into extraordinary ones. Access our free digital content: https://digitalmag.theceomagazine.com Follow us:  LinkedIn: @the-ceo-magazine-global   Facebook: @theceomagazineglobal   X: @ceomagazinegl Instagram: @theceomagazineglobal  Follow Virinder Nath and Amaysim: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/virinder-nath-422752 Website: https://www.amaysim.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this enlightening conversation, Anthony De Fazio, CEO of BankVic, shares insights from his journey leading a member-first bank dedicated to police and emergency services. He emphasizes the power of respecting foundational identity over seeking popularity, revealing that this approach strengthened BankVic’s culture. De Fazio discusses practical strategies for reconnecting teams to purpose and highlights the importance of authenticity in decision-making. He also reflects on overcoming leadership isolation while scaling operations, demonstrating that true leaders stand firm in their values.

Marcus Zeltzer, Co-founder and Managing Director of Yellow Canary, shares his insights on hiring, culture, and the challenges of scaling startups. He discusses how the wrong hiring decisions can hinder growth and the pivotal role of compliance in building trust within teams. Zeltzer reveals the impact of AI on workforce dynamics and the importance of strategic, long-term planning. He also reflects on the evolution from founder to CEO and the critical decision-making that shapes a company’s future. A must-listen for aspiring leaders!