CXO Secrets by EDS

In this episode of CXO Secrets, David McClelland speaks with Dave Hoon, CTO at Norseman, about transforming IT operations in the public sector. With decades of experience supporting the U.S. Department of Defense and federal agencies, Dave shares practical insights on overcoming legacy infrastructure, achieving cloud efficiency, and navigating the unique challenges of government IT. The conversation explores application modernisation, cybersecurity in sensitive environments, and the real-world potential—and limitations—of AI in federal operations. A must-listen for tech leaders driving efficiency in complex, high-stakes environments.

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Modernising Government IT — Driving Public Sector Efficiency with Dave Hoon, CTO at Norseman - EDS

In this episode, host David McClelland sits down with Dak Lyanearachichi, EVP and CTO at NRG Energy, to explore how technology and culture combine to drive value and lead change in the energy sector. Dak shares insights into managing complex digital transformation initiatives at one of the largest power companies in the US. He discusses the challenges of modernising critical infrastructure, embracing innovation while ensuring operational reliability, and navigating the evolving energy landscape. Dak highlights the importance of cultivating a culture that empowers teams and accelerates adoption of new technologies. Reflecting on his leadership approach, he reveals how balancing technical vision with empathy creates a foundation for sustainable growth. Tune in to discover how Dak leads with vision to deliver value and foster a culture of care in a rapidly changing industry.

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Managing Technology and Culture — Leading Change with Dak Liyanearachchi, EVP, CTO at NRG Energy - EDS

In this episode, host David McClelland sits down with Dr Tim Calahan, CIO at Michigan Medicine, to discuss the monumental cloud migration journey underway at one of the leading healthcare institutions in the US. Tim shares deep insights into moving critical clinical systems like Epic and Sectra to the cloud with minimal disruption to patient care. He explores the unique challenges of migrating over 900 applications, the importance of partnering with experts, and how adopting Infrastructure as Code is transforming operational consistency. Tim opens up about the cultural shift needed to upskill long-tenured staff and the crucial balance between technology, people, and processes in healthcare IT. Reflecting on his career, he reveals how thinking like a consultant helps anticipate future needs beyond immediate problems. Tim also offers leadership wisdom on aligning technology with ethics and culture in mission-critical environments. How do you lead transformational change while keeping patient care front and centre? Tune in to find out.

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Leading with Vision — Cloud, Culture, and Care with Dr Tim Calahan, CTO at Michigan Medicine - EDS

In this episode, host David McClelland sits down with Martin Covill, Chief Information Security Officer at Intelligent Processing Solutions Limited (iPSL), to explore the growing epidemic of executive burnout—especially among cybersecurity leaders.As the pressures of digital transformation, regulatory compliance, and 24/7 cyber threats mount, security executives face increasing mental and emotional strain. Martin opens up about his own experiences leading major cloud transitions and managing high-stakes security across a joint venture owned by some of the UK’s biggest banks. He shares practical strategies to protect both organizational assets and personal wellbeing in a role that never truly "switches off."They discuss the impact of confidentiality on stress, the stigma around mental health in leadership, and how symptoms of burnout can go unnoticed until it’s too late. Martin offers tangible frameworks for managing remote teams, encouraging wellness, and building a culture where leaders—and their teams—can thrive.Beyond the boardroom, Martin reflects on his military background, his personal journey into wellbeing advocacy, and the lessons he’s learned supporting both his staff and his own family through mental health challenges.With CISOs under constant pressure, how can organizations protect those who protect them? And what’s the cost of ignoring the human side of cyber leadership?

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Confronting CISO Burnout: Security, Stress & Self-Care with Martin Covill, CISO at iPSL - EDS

In this episode, host David McClelland sits down with John van Uden, Chief Technology Officer at Nordea Bank, to explore what it takes to lead major technology transformation while navigating new cultures, countries, and corporate dynamics.

After a move from Canada to Finland, John reflects on his first year in one of the Nordic region’s largest banks. From tackling regulatory challenges like DORA to driving cloud adoption across a diverse and legacy-heavy tech estate, John shares how he’s building trust, simplifying complexity, and aligning stakeholders across borders.

They discuss the nuances of Nordic corporate culture, the importance of establishing “Team One,” and how language—spoken and unspoken—can shape everything from strategy to stakeholder engagement. John also opens up about the risks of over-indexing on work and the value of immersing fully in a new culture both professionally and personally.

Beyond the tech, John shares his approach to stakeholder relationships, setting early goals, and building organizational maturity without undermining progress. His advice? Eat lunch with everyone, live within the risk culture, and never underestimate the power of being consistent.

With banking under pressure to modernize while staying compliant and resilient, how can CTOs hit the ground running in new environments without breaking what already works? And what does leadership really look like when you're trying to build momentum across borders?

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Leading Through Change: Culture, Complexity & Cloud with John van Uden, CTO at Nordea Bank - EDS

In this episode of CXO Secrets, host David McClelland sits down with Milos Topic, Vice President for IT and Chief Digital Officer at Grand Valley State University, to explore the powerful intersection of leadership, technology, and transformation. Milos opens up about why courage is the leadership trait he values most — not just the boldness to make tough decisions, but the deeper courage to speak truth, challenge the status quo, and lead with authenticity and integrity. Drawing on his experiences across higher education and digital innovation, he discusses how AI and emerging technologies are reshaping institutions and industries, and why leaders must lean into discomfort to drive meaningful change. This episode dives into what it takes to remain relevant in a fast-moving world, highlighting the importance of adaptability, communication, and people-centred leadership. Milos shares practical insights on building a culture of trust, how to empower teams through uncertainty, and why vulnerability and empathy are critical tools for modern executives. Whether you're a senior leader navigating digital transformation or someone aspiring to lead with more purpose, this candid conversation offers valuable lessons on resilience, growth, and staying true to your values in the face of change.

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In this episode, host David McClelland sits down with Luis Suarez, Chief Technology Officer at H.I.G. Capital, to explore the evolving art of negotiation in digital leadership and the strategic role of technology in private equity.

As global firms move at lightning speed to capitalize on emerging opportunities, tech leaders like Luis face the dual challenge of enabling innovation while safeguarding security. Luis shares how H.I.G. integrates security from the ground up, embraces agile transformation, and uses collaboration—not confrontation—to drive results.

They discuss the importance of empathy in negotiation, the pitfalls of fear-based sales tactics, and how generative AI is changing the way leaders prepare for high-stakes conversations. Luis also offers actionable insights on how to build long-term vendor relationships, manage risk without slowing progress, and foster a collaborative team culture grounded in mutual respect.

Beyond the boardroom, Luis reflects on his career journey from entry-level analyst to CTO, his passion for mentorship, and the leadership lessons he’s carried through a 20-year tenure in one of the world’s most dynamic investment environments.

With technology advancing at breakneck speed, how can CTOs stay ahead without sacrificing trust, security, or human connection? And how do great leaders turn every negotiation into a win-win?

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In this episode, host David McClelland sits down with John McClure, Chief Information Security Officer and Senior Vice President of Enterprise Infrastructure and Cloud at Sinclair Broadcast Group, to explore the evolving intersection of media, cybersecurity, and innovation. As the media industry undergoes massive disruption—from shifting viewer habits to the rise of NextGen TV—John shares how Sinclair is rethinking its legacy infrastructure to deliver new kinds of digital services. They discuss the strategic advantages of ATSC 3.0, including one-to-many data transmission, and the potential for over-the-air updates to vehicles, digital signage, and emergency systems. John also unpacks the cybersecurity implications of Sinclair's broad digital transformation, detailing how the organization is managing an increasingly complex threat landscape across IT, cloud, and operational technology. From third-party risk to legacy tech challenges, he explains how Sinclair is building a secure, resilient foundation for the future. Beyond the tech, John reflects on his leadership philosophy, the impact of military experience on staying calm under pressure, and why mentoring has been a cornerstone of his success. As media companies face rapid technological and cultural shifts, how can CISOs lead with both strategy and empathy? And what does it take to safeguard the future of critical infrastructure in a digital-first world? Steve also shares career lessons, unconventional leadership insights, and a thought-provoking question for future guests. As AI reshapes cybersecurity, how can CISOs and CIOs stay ahead? And what’s the cost of falling behind?

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Transforming Media Infrastructure: Cybersecurity, Innovation & Leadership | John McClure, CISO & SVP at Sinclair - EDS

In this episode, host David McClelland sits down with Bashir Agboola, Chief Technology Officer at the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), to explore the rapidly evolving role of technology in healthcare.

As hospitals increasingly rely on AI, automation, and data-driven insights, the healthcare sector faces new challenges—from cybersecurity threats to the ethical implications of AI in patient care. Bashir shares how HSS is leveraging technology to enhance patient outcomes, streamline operations, and stay ahead of emerging risks.

They discuss the delicate balance between innovation and security, the role of AI in optimizing clinical workflows, and why leadership buy-in is essential for digital transformation. Bashir also highlights the biggest cybersecurity threats facing healthcare organizations today and offers practical strategies to safeguard sensitive medical data.

Beyond the tech, Bashir reflects on his career journey, leadership philosophy, and the lessons he's learned navigating complex digital transformations in a high-stakes industry.

With technology reshaping healthcare at an unprecedented pace, how can CIOs and CTOs drive innovation while ensuring security and compliance? And what happens when healthcare falls behind?

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CXO Secrets is back! In the first episode of our new season, host David McClelland sits down with Steve Wilson, Chief Product Officer at Exabeam, to unpack the AI-driven cybersecurity arms race. With attackers leveraging AI to automate scams, create deepfakes, and exploit vulnerabilities at scale, traditional defences are falling behind. Steve reveals how AI is transforming security operations—from smarter threat detection to AI-powered SOCs that help analysts cut through the noise and quickly spot abnormal activities. They discuss how AI enables faster, more accurate threat detection, including dynamic risk scoring and the ability to spot insider threats that might otherwise go unnoticed. They dive into the importance of staying ahead of AI-powered attacks and why security leaders must adapt fast, with Steve highlighting the need to embrace AI in their security operations and the broader enterprise. He shares key insights on how to build a strong AI strategy without needing to become a data scientist, and why finding the right partners is crucial. Steve also shares career lessons, unconventional leadership insights, and a thought-provoking question for future guests. As AI reshapes cybersecurity, how can CISOs and CIOs stay ahead? And what’s the cost of falling behind?

#CXOSecrets #EDSAI in Cybersecurity: Defence, Threats & the Future of SOC | Steve Wilson, CPO at Exabeam - EDS