Tech Whisperers: Inside the Playbooks of the Best Digital Leaders
Episodes
Denise Russell Fleming: Leading with Trust at Enterprise Scale
18 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
There is no better guest to celebrate our 100th Whisperers episode with than Denise Russell Fleming, CIO and EVP of Technology & Global Services a...
What Transformative CTOs Do Differently: Mojgan Lefebvre on Leading in the Age of AI
25 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What does it take to lead technology at enterprise scale in a world defined by AI, ambiguity, and nonstop disruption?That’s one of the big questions...
Proven Beyond a Reasonable Doubt: The Hall of Fame Career of Shelia Anderson
04 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
There are leaders who understand technology, and there are leaders who understand people, but when someone comes along who truly masters both, incredi...
Keith Ferrazzi on Architecting the Future of Human-AI Collaboration
14 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we are sitting down with Keith Ferrazzi, bestselling author of Never Eat Alone and Never Lead Alone, to talk about what leadership, t...
How TIAA’s Sastry Durvasula Leads Transformation, One Reinvention at a Time
17 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we are shining the light on a leader whose journey truly plays out like a movie. Sastry Durvasula has one of those rare stories that ...
The Speed of Reimagination: How Shobie Ramakrishnan Leads Change That Lasts
03 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this era of accelerated disruption, leaders who have the right combination of clarity, courage, and conviction stand apart from the pack. GSK Chief...
Setting Yourself up to Get the Call: Jeanine Charlton’s Leadership Playbook
19 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After years of interviews with dozens of incredible digital leaders, we’ve explored countless “answer the call” moments, and as we’ve seen, gr...
Netskope CIO Mike Anderson on Future Proofing Your Team & Career
05 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we are shining a light on Mike Anderson, Chief Digital & Information Officer at Netskope, to unpack the mindset and playbook behind his...
CIO as Teacher: Inside Ken Piddington’s Leadership Excellence Playbook
22 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we are shining the light on one of the most intentional and inspiring CIOs in the game, Ken Piddington, Chief Digital, Technology, & In...
How Mindy Simon Guides Aon Through Transformation with Calm & Clarity
08 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Mindy Simon’s path from a Nebraska farm to her current role as Chief Operating Officer of Aon, where she helms a 22,000-person global operation, is ...
Diane Schwarz on the Humility and Humanity of being a CIO
24 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we’re shining the light on the leadership superpowers and industry impact of Diane Schwarz, Group CIO of Smurfit Westrock, a global ...
Winning with AI: Governance, Storytelling, and the Road Out of the Messy Middle
10 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Tech Whisperers, we are joined by two experts who are shaping the future of AI in the enterprise, Dr. Lisa Palmer, CEO of Dr. Lisa ...
The Best of the Best: Timeless Tech Whisperer Lessons That Still Inspire
27 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Over the past three years, we’ve had the privilege to sit down with more than 100 of the most visionary and impactful technology leaders across indu...
Powering the Future: Eaton CIO Katrina Redmond on Leading Transformation
13 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Our CI4CI miniseries continues with guest Katrina Redmond, EVP and CIO of Eaton Corporation. As the world hits a historic inflection point in infrastr...
Black & Veatch CDTO Mike Adams: Charting Strategy & Digital Innovation
30 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In part 2 of our Critical Infrastructure for Critical Infrastructure (CI4CI) miniseries, we are joined by Mike Adams, a digital executive who is playi...
CI4CI Trailblazer: Afshean Talasaz on AI, Data & the Art of Anticipation
16 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 expl...
The 6 Ps of Modern Leadership: Danyel Bischof-Forsyth Unplugged
25 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“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 e...
Leading with Passion & Purpose: The PPG Playbook with CIO Bhaskar Ramachandran
11 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Bhaskar Ramachandran is the powerhouse CIO behind PPG’s digital transformation. A master at driving culture change, building strong IT teams, and ra...
From the Warroom to the Boardroom: The 6-Word Story of Earl Newsome
28 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Tech Whisperer Earl Newsome is the pinnacle of modern, mission-driven IT leadership. Informed by a decade-long military career, Earl has fully unlocke...
Monte Ford: The Evolution from Executive to Boardroom Strategist
07 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Tech, Banking, and the Power of Translation: Dan Massey’s Leadership Playbook
16 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For this episode, we had the privilege of visiting the Regions Bank headquarters in Birmingham, Alabama, for an in-person conversation with Chief Ente...
The CIO-to-Board Playbook of Hall of Famer Andi Karaboutis
26 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
The Augmented CIO: 10 Skills of Game Changing Leadership in the GenAI Era
05 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With the rise of generative AI, CIOs and IT leaders are experiencing a leadership revolution. GenAI is shaking up both how we engage with technology a...
Empowering Teammates and Building Tomorrow’s Digital Workforce: Amy Brady’s Tech, Banking & Community Leadership
19 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we are featuring an extraordinary leader who's been blazing trails and inspiring countless others throughout her career. Amy Brady...
Nationwide’s Jim Fowler on the CIO's Good to Great Journey
05 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
One of the hallmarks of a great Chief Technology Officer is that they are able to translate a passion for technology into a driving force for business...
Kathy Kay: Building Possibilities and Enabling Growth at Principal Financial Group
22 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode we’re shining the light on Kathy Kay, a leader whose name is synonymous with “building” — and she is a builder in every sense of ...
A Career of Answer the Call Moments with Zack Hicks
08 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Inducted in the CIO Hall of Fame in 2019, Zack Hicks is a leader who has left a major impact on the CIO profession through his relentless pursuit of i...
Talking Tech, Digital & Strategy with Tractor Supply’s Rob Mills
18 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
While many CIOs are busy figuring out what the CIO’s role looks like today, our guest this week is already answering the question, “What does the ...
Truth Telling with 7X CIO Mark Settle
04 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There are some Tech Whisperers who leave a legacy by investing their skills in just one or two companies across their career, and then there are those...
Inspirations from the CIO G.O.A.T., Rob Carter
13 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You’re in for a special treat with this episode as we sit down with the GOAT, the greatest-of-all-time CIO, Robert B. Carter. Rob served as the CIO ...
Leading Wing-to-Wing Digital Transformation with Monica Caldas
30 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As the leader of over 5,000 technologists, Monica Caldes, Global CIO at Liberty Mutual Insurance, has established herself as one of the top digital ex...
Designing Winning Careers & Organizations with Janet Sherlock
16 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we are shining the light on Dr. Janet Sherlock, a digital and retail executive who leads through her expertise in digital transformat...
The Leadership Edge: Barry Shurkey’s IT Superpowers Revealed
02 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There are leaders who know how to win big results, but don’t know how to win people, and then there are leaders who know how to win people, but don’...
The AQ Factor: Building Adaptive People, Teams & Companies
11 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There are two types of companies: Those that achieve incredible amounts of success only to crumble when they fail to keep up with the world around the...
The Defining Moments of CIO Legend Anil Cheriyan
21 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Even among the best technology leaders, there are those who stand out. These are the “CIO Legends” who have not just led their organizations succe...
Collins Aerospace CIO Mona Bates Keeps Her “I” on the Prize
31 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The best leaders are highly intentional about keeping themselves and their teams focused on what matters to deliver high-impact results. Collins Aeros...
CDO Brian Abrahamson Drives Value Creation by Delivering What Matters
10 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The most effective digital leaders today have a clear vision and a laser-like focus that allows them to focus on delivering what really matters. They’...
Red Sox SVP & CTO Brian Shield Honors Tradition, Innovates for the Future
12 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It’s not every day you get to record an episode with a superstar guest at a superstar location, so when we had the opportunity to interview a legend...
The CC&TO Featuring Bhavani Amirthalingam as Chief Customer & Technology Officer
22 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Bhavani Amirthalingam’s career spans more than 25 years of experience in key technology and executive leadership roles across a multitude of industr...
Seeing Around Corners with Ally’s Sathish Muthukrishnan & Donna Hart
01 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ally Financial is the nation’s largest all-digital bank, serving 11 million customers with a full suite of online banking services, investment advis...
The Blueprint for CIO Success with Xerox CEO Steve Bandrowczak
10 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week is a special one for Tech Whisperers, because not only do we have an incredible guest, but an incredible guest host, as well!In this episode...
Thriving in “Chapter 2” with Diana McKenzie & Karenann Terrell
20 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
No matter where you are in your career journey, there is always a need to plan for “The Great Pivot,” that moment when you hang up your day job an...
Big Bet Leadership with Best Selling Author John Rossman
27 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This episode of Tech Whisperers is dedicated to the transformational leaders–those who have the courage and vision to make big bets and the enduranc...
The ‘Chief Intentional Officer’ with Brown & Brown CIO Gray Nester
14 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
While many leaders fill their roles with expertise, wisdom, and excellent capabilities, there are some who stand out even among the most successful. T...
Edward Jones’ CIO Frank LaQuinta on Promises Made, Promises Kept
31 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As the CIO and Principal over Digital, Data, and Operations at Edward Jones, Frank LaQuinta is laser focused on delivering extraordinary experiences t...
Cream Always Rises to the Top with Cengage CTO Jim Chilton
17 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Just as the CIO role itself is evolving and transforming alongside technology, so are the processes and the businesses that use them. To be successful...
Top CxO Recruiters Talk the Evolving Role of the CIO & State of Tech Talent in 2024
03 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
One of the biggest realities facing CIOs is the fast-paced evolution of their role and the scope of their responsibilities, especially with new AI too...
Shaping the Federal Reserve’s Digital Future with CIO Ghada Ijam
13 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ghada Ijam serves as the CIO for the Federal Reserve System, one of the world’s most vital and complex organizations, affecting the economy on an in...
The Power of P&L Ownership with WestRock CIDO Amir Kazmi
29 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Amir Kazmi is the Chief Information & Digital Officer at WestRock, a $20 billion Fortune 200 company that provides packaging solutions for countle...
The Hartford’s Deepa Soni Redefines the Art of the Possible
08 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What exactly does it take to lead a 213-year-old company through a digital transformation initiative? How about an enterprise CIO whose career has spa...
Thriving in New Roles, Companies & Industries with COO Marina Bellini
18 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
From 8 years in Big Four consulting, to 20 years across three global CPG companies, to now the COO of Latin America’s largest bank, Banco Itaú, Mar...
The Four E’s of Transformational Leadership with Generac CIO Tim Dickson
04 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The best leaders don’t only pay attention to how they engage with those on their teams, they also devote their attention to how they show up every d...
Qualcomm CIO Cisco Sanchez Supports Hyper Growth by Focusing on What Matters
20 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When an organization is moving toward its goals, it’s common for teams to get distracted with tasks and projects that are related to the goals, but ...
The 7 Attributes of Great CIOs with Giant Eagle’s Kirk Ball
23 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How do you identify and adopt the differentiators that enable the top CIOs to pull away from the rest of the pack? For Giant Eagle CIO & EVP Kirk ...
The Goldilocks Approach to GenAI: Two Experts Unpack How To Get it Just Right
09 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Generative AI has taken the world by storm, opening up whole worlds of opportunity for technology leaders to simplify their processes and empower thei...
Punching Your Ticket as a Tech Leader with CIO Legend Chris Hjelm
26 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Many of our most inspiring leaders are people who know their values and stick to them, no matter the cost. For CIO legend Chris Hjelm, values-based le...
Leveraging Technology to Disrupt the Insurance Industry with SelectQuote CIO Floyd May
12 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you’ve heard an episode of Tech Whisperers before, you’ve heard of the TechLX leadership development program. At our most recent graduation for...
Lighting the Path to Digital Maturity & the Boardroom with NACD CIO Rona Bunn
28 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
From entry-level employees all the way up to the boardroom, the journey to digital maturity impacts all aspects of organizations that pursue it. This,...
Why Most Digital Transformation Initiatives Fail
14 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Companies are investing trillions of dollars into digital transformation initiatives, but research tells us that 70% of digital transformation initiat...
How to Innovate Successfully with Oshkosh Corp CIO Anupam Khare
31 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What does it look like for a tech leader to be successful at innovating with products, services, digital, strategy, and employee engagement? Join us a...
The Great CISO Balancing Act with United’s Deneen DeFiore
17 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We’re thrilled to have a top-notch, Hall of Fame CSO as our first cybersecurity executive to join us on the podcast. Deneen DeFiore, VP & CISO a...
The Journey From CIO to CEO with Segra’s Kevin Hart
03 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When we think of a top leader that is serious about creating future-ready leaders, cutting through the noise to identify the right issues, and who cli...
Winning Through Resiliency With Panera CIO John Meister
19 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As work culture has shifted to quicker employee turnover, people like Panera Bread CIO, John Meister are becoming a rare species: seven years at Accen...
From KGB Spy to Powerhouse CIO and American Citizen: Jack Barsky’s Story
05 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How does someone go from being a KGB spy and one of the most wanted men in America to becoming a fully-fledged American citizen and a top-notch CIO? J...
Becoming a P&L Owner with Zoetis CDO Wafaa Mamilli
22 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Wafaa Mamilli is the Chief Digital & Technology Officer at Zoetis, the world’s leading animal health company, a Fortune 500 company with more th...
Redefining Your Value Proposition with Unisys CTO Dwayne Allen
08 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s guest is Dwayne Allen, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Unisys. Dwayne’s professional history, which includes leading...
Little Caesars’ CIO on ‘Answering the Call’ in Work and Life
22 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
From leading at great companies like Enterprise Rent-a-Car and Express Scripts to now leading as the CIO of Little Caesars, Anita Klopfenstein, has an...
3 Layers of Transformation with TransUnion CIO Abhi Dhar
08 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we are unpacking the leadership playbook of Abhi Dhar. Ahbi has been the Chief Digital Officer for a Fortune-50 company, a tech start...
Two Powerhouse CxOs Share Digital Strategies, “Answer the Call” Moments
25 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Tech Whisperers, we are unpacking the amazing journeys of two CxO giants and industry leaders: Kim Mackenroth and Chris Nardecchia....
Office Shock: Why We Need Future-Ready Leaders
16 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As companies and workers continue to adjust to constantly changing workplace environments and cultures, there remain many questions about what it mean...
A Vibrant Tech Future with Nutanix CIO Wendy Pfeiffer
11 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Leadership takes a certain level of boldness that not many people can achieve, but even with that boldness, many leaders are still afraid to say what ...
Top CxO Recruiters Talk Transformation & State of Tech Talent
28 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Recruiting the best technology talent has been on everyone’s mind throughout 2022, and CIOs still struggle to find the very best talent to their tea...
Succession Done Right with Steve Zerby and Annie Baymiller of Owens Corning
14 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ensuring a smooth transition between an outgoing and incoming CxO is one of the most complex projects for any organization to take on, but Owens Corni...
Turning Vision into Action with Teladoc’s Chief Innovation Officer, Claus T. Jensen
30 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What kind of career experience, confidence, and leadership capability does it take to have a company’s CTO, CIO, and CDO all report directly to you?...
The Role of Spirit and Mindset in Digital Transformational Leadership with Ingram Micro’s Global CDO, Sanjib Sahoo
16 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Leadership accomplishments are always significant, but when put in the grander context of a leader’s journey, that significance can increase dramati...
Digital Leadership Insights from the World’s Best Leadership Development Organization
02 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The military is often regarded as the best leadership development organization in the world, and for good reason. Discipline, focus, accountability, e...
Transforming the Game Experience with the NFL’s First CIO, Michelle Mckenna
19 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What does it mean to be a trailblazing CIO in one of the biggest and most celebrated sports organizations in America, the National Football League (NF...
From CIO to P&L Owner with Aflac’s Transformation Officer Rich Gilbert
05 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As businesses embrace more digital technology and tools to drive revenue and transform their operations, CEOs are expecting their tech leaders to step...
The Intentional CIO with Abbott CIO, Sabina Ewing
21 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The best digital leaders know how to build loyalty within their teams by extending trust, leading with intentionality, and always seeking constructive...
Cutting Through the Noise as a Digital Leader with Lumentum's SVP CIO, Ralph Loura, Part 1
07 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We had an incredible opportunity to sit down in person with Ralph Loura, the SVP CIO at Lumentum, for a special two-part conversation at The CIO 100 A...
Cutting Through the Noise as a Digital Leader with Lumentum's SVP CIO, Ralph Loura, Part 2
07 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We are back for part 2 of our two-part episode with Ralph Loura, recorded onsite at The CIO 100 Awards held at the Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Ver...
How to Win Through a Differentiated Technology & People Strategy with Discover's Amir Arooni
24 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
While most companies share some standard ways of operating, it’s that unique sliver in approach that truly differentiate the great companies from th...
The H.E.A.R.T. of CIO Leadership with Kristie Grinnell
10 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The best leaders across all industries are leading their people with HEART: humility, empathy, adaptability, resiliency, and transparency. They are ba...
Creating Healthy Tension with Larry Quinlan
27 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Larry Quinlan is a Hall of Fame CIO who is widely regarded as one the most successful and impactful leaders to ever take on the role. As the Global Ch...
“There Are No More Mulligans” with CIO Legend Charlie Feld, Part 2
13 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We are back for part 2 of our 2-part series with Charlie Feld, an industry legend who helped to shape the modern CIO role before it even existed! Char...
“There Are No More Mulligans” with CIO Legend Charlie Feld, Part 1
13 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As someone who has helped to shape the modern CIO role before it even existed, Charlie Feld is an industry legend who has been instrumental in moving ...
Patient Persistence in Tech Leadership with Michael Smith
29 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Few people truly appreciate the complexity, effort, and vision required to establish and maintain global leadership in any industry, let alone luxury ...
From IT to the Boardroom: Lessons from 3 CIOs-turned-Board-Members
15 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, you’ll have the chance to hear from not one but three remarkable CIOs: Julie Cullivan, Wayne Shurts, and Carol Zierhoffer. In addit...
Engineering Best-in-Class Customer and Employee Experiences with Gill Haus
01 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As CIO for Consumer & Community Banking (CCB) at JPMorgan Chase, Gill Haus plays a major role in the firm’s business and its success, leading mo...
Leading Digital Innovation in Healthcare with Angela Yochem
18 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In the healthcare industry, advances in technology and innovative digital services are not only transforming the patient and employee experience, they...
Empowering IT Teams to Drive Business Value
04 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As the technology agenda grows bigger and bolder, today’s CXOs need to empower their teams to make decisions, take action, and create real business ...
Inside the Playbooks of Top Digital Leaders: The Tech Whisperers Podcast
04 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this introductory episode, host Dan Roberts, CEO of Ouellette and Associates, provides a sneak peak of what listeners are in store for with these ...