Fear shows up at every stage of leadership, but courage determines how far we go.

In this powerful Chief in Tech session, Lakecia Gunter, Independent Board Director at

IDEX Corporation, shares how leaders can overcome fear, make bold decisions, and lead innovation with confidence in fast-changing tech environments.

Drawing from her journey across multi-billion-dollar businesses, AI-driven transformation, and executive leadership, Lakecia explores what it truly means to fear less and roar more, especially for women navigating high-impact roles in technology.

Key takeaways include:

• The art of making bold, high-stakes decisions
• Building resilience in moments of uncertainty
• Reframing fear as fuel for growth and innovation
• Cultivating courage to lead authentically and decisively

🎧 Tune in for an inspiring conversation on fearless leadership, innovation, and owning your voice at the table.

AI is no longer experimental—it’s operational, strategic, and reshaping how businesses lead and scale. In this session, Linda Yao, COO & Head of Strategy at Lenovo Solutions & Services Group, and Poonam Garg, VP at U.S. Bank, share real-world insights on turning AI ambition into business impact.

Key discussion points include:

• Why AI adoption must be practical, people-first, and security-led
• How generative AI is democratizing productivity across industries
• Building AI readiness through strong data, governance, and talent
• Leading change amid rapid technological disruption
• What visionary leadership looks like in an AI-driven future

🎧 A must-listen for leaders navigating AI adoption, scale, and responsibility in today’s fast-moving business landscape.

From moving to the U.S. to leading digital transformation at one of the world’s largest healthcare technology companies, Rashmi Kumar, SVP & CIO of Medtronic, shares her journey to the C-suite and the leadership lessons learned along the way.

In this episode, we explore:

• Taking bold career risks and stepping outside comfort zones
• Driving digital transformation with purpose and business impact
• Building resilient, future-ready leadership skills
• The role of mentorship and sponsorship in career growth
• Leading with vision, adaptability, and inclusion

🎧 Tune in for an inspiring conversation on resilience, transformation, and what it truly takes to lead at the highest levels of tech.

AI is reshaping enterprise strategy, cybersecurity, and the very nature of leadership—often all at once. In this Chief in Tech session, senior technology leaders share candid perspectives on navigating constant change in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.

In this Chief in Tech episode, senior executives Alvina Antar, Chief Digital Officer at F5; Meerah Rajavel, CIO at Palo Alto Networks; Sharon Mandell, Former CIO of Juniper Networks; and Wendy M. Pfeiffer, Founder of Box of Chocolates LLC, share candid insights from the front lines of digital and cybersecurity leadership.

Key themes include:

• How AI is redefining business strategy, productivity, and innovation
• Enterprise approaches to generative AI adoption—from experimentation to impact
• Cybersecurity, risk, and trust in an AI-driven world
• Digital transformation as a continuous journey, not a destination
• The human side of CIO leadership—wellness, resilience, and balance

🎧 Tune in for real-world insights on leading technology when everything is happening everywhere, all at once.

Leading Secure Innovation: Lessons on AI, Identity, and Cyber Resilience

As AI rapidly reshapes enterprise systems and threat landscapes, today’s technology leaders face a critical challenge: how to innovate responsibly while staying secure.

In this episode of Chief in Tech, senior executives Alvina Antar, Chief Digital Officer at F5; Meerah Rajavel, CIO at Palo Alto Networks; Sharon Mandell, Former CIO of Juniper Networks; and Wendy M. Pfeiffer, Founder of Box of Chocolates LLC, share hard-won lessons from the front lines of digital transformation and cybersecurity leadership.

In this conversation, we discuss:

• How AI is redefining the cybersecurity risk landscape
• The convergence of cybersecurity, software architecture, and identity
• Executive leadership strategies for AI governance and resilience
• Building trust-first cultures that empower innovation with accountability

🎧 Tune in for a forward-looking conversation on leadership at the intersection of AI and cybersecurity.

From the Bench to the Boardroom: Lessons from Leslie Vander Baan on Resilience, Risk, and Reinvention in Tech

What does it really take to navigate uncertainty, setbacks, and reinvention in a tech career?

In this episode, we hear a candid and deeply personal journey through entrepreneurship, career pivots, and the emotional realities of building, losing, and rebuilding in the tech industry. From blind ambition and launching a bold consumer-to-consumer venture, to scaling nationally with a Fortune 750 partner and facing the devastation of winding it all down, this story offers unfiltered insights into resilience and growth.

We explore key lessons on:

• Turning internal doubt and anxiety into fuel for growth
• Embracing risk and learning by starting before everything is perfect
• Navigating career setbacks, pivots, and unexpected endings
• Making decisions driven by opportunity rather than fear
• The power of reflection, recalibration, and trusting non-linear career paths
• How closed doors can lead to powerful full-circle moments

From entrepreneurial beginnings to leading an AI-powered inspection platform in Silicon Valley, this episode is a reminder that success is rarely linear—and that every experience, high or low, shapes your leadership story.

🎧 Tune in to discover how resilience, adaptability, and self-trust can help you not just survive but thrive, through professional challenges.

Inward to Upward: Lessons from Aysha Khan on Leadership, Clarity, and Redefining Success

What does it take to lead with intention and find fulfillment in both work and life?

In this episode, we explore the transformative leadership philosophy of Aysha Khan, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Treasure Data. Drawing on over 20 years of experience at Fortune 500 companies, Aysha has developed a powerful framework for growth, alignment, and impact.

We delve into her insights on:

• The role of exposure and role models in shaping vision and ambition
• Moving beyond work-life balance toward alignment and mission clarity
• Applying the Japanese concept of Ikigai to uncover your purpose
• Building a portfolio of impact across roles—executive, advisor, coach, and more
• Shifting from chasing success to attracting it through energy and intention

Aysha’s journey—from her early days in Karachi to leading in Silicon Valley—offers a compelling blueprint for anyone ready to grow from the inside out.

🎧 Tune in to discover how “Inward to Upward” leadership can help you unlock your full potential.

This podcast is based on a session at the Chief in Tech Summit, a conference focused on the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies on businesses.

Linda Yao, a Chief Operating Officer and Vice President for AI Solutions & Services at Lenovo, discusses the use of AI and how businesses can effectively implement and scale it. She highlights the importance of building a strong foundation, including security, people, technology, and processes, and stresses the need for a practical approach in determining where AI can drive the most value. The session also touches upon the challenges of managing AI in diverse settings, such as remote work and different industry sectors, as well as the potential impact of AI on traditional business models.

The podcast is based on the keynote presentations from the Chief in Tech Summit on the exciting future of AI and quantum computing, specifically their convergence.

Dr. Kristin M. Gilkes, Global Quantum Leader at EY, discusses the revolutionary potential of this synergy in various industries, highlighting its impacts on cybersecurity, healthcare, and finance. She emphasises the importance of understanding the differences between classical and quantum computing, using accessible examples like logistics to illustrate how quantum computing can solve complex problems more efficiently. Dr. Gilkes also explores the implications of AI development, particularly the potential for artificial general intelligence (AGI), and the ethical considerations that accompany such advancements.

In this talk from the Women and Tech Global Conference, Dr. Gilkes provides a clear and engaging explanation of these complex technologies, highlighting their potential to revolutionize various fields.

She discusses:

• The fundamental differences between classical and quantum computing: illustrating how quantum computing's ability to explore multiple possibilities simultaneously allows it to tackle problems beyond the reach of classical computers.
• The concept of "quantum utility": where we're already seeing quantum computers solve real-world business problems.
• EY's groundbreaking work on a "moonshot" project to develop early warning indicators for earthquakes: showcasing the potential of quantum computing to address critical societal challenges.
• The exciting future of AI with the emergence of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI): where AI systems could potentially surpass human intelligence in specific domains, leading to unprecedented problem-solving capabilities.
• Her optimistic view of AI's impact on the job market: emphasizing how AI can augment human capabilities and drive economic growth rather than replacing jobs.

Dr. Gilkes invites listeners to embrace these technological advancements and the boundless opportunities they present for a brighter future.

This podcast is based on the Chief in Tech Summit insights from Kate Prouty, the Chief Information Officer of Akamai Technologies, on how to be an organizational change maker. Prouty, having witnessed Akamai’s transformation from a start-up to a global tech giant, emphasises the importance of embracing change and fostering a growth mindset. She shares her experiences in navigating cultural shifts within Akamai, highlighting the need for leadership to adapt and listen to employees, as well as the benefits of promoting teamwork, collaboration, and inclusive work environments. Prouty encourages attendees to become catalysts for positive change within their own organisations, advocating for a culture that values diversity, personal well-being, and continuous improvement.

How to Be an Organizational Change Maker

Joining Akamai Technologies in 1999 and now serving as CIO, Kate Prouty has seen her organization evolve from a fledgling start-up to a billion-dollar industry-leader. During this talk, she will focus on the importance and positive value of change in an organization, how to evolve leadership to support the needs of an established but dynamic company, and lessons learned from two and a half decades in a rapidly evolving industry. Attendees will learn how to leave behind aspects of culture that no longer serve the company, and to drive a growth mindset from the top down.