Disruptive Innovators: Champions of Digital Business - CIO & IT Leader Interviews, Digital Transformation, Digital Innovation

Key Takeaways:

(04:06) Removing the word "impossible" from your mindset and focusing on finding solutions rather than obstacles.

(05:53) Overcoming challenges and adapting to new environments can shape resilience and work ethic.

(08:31) Engineering principles can play a significant role in driving medical innovation.

(10:08) AI and mathematical modeling can be used to improve diagnostics and risk stratification in healthcare.

(13:41) Personalized medicine can increase positivity rates and potentially benefit healthcare margins.

(25:01) Workforce shortages in radiology require innovative solutions such as remote workflows and AI augmentation.

(27:06) AI can help reduce burnout by augmenting radiologists' work rather than increasing their workload.

(31:49) The future of healthcare will likely involve AI at the center of innovation, improving efficiency and outcomes.

Resources Mentioned:

Dr. Aalpen Patel

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aalpenpatel/

MedQuest Associates | LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/medquest-associates/

MedQuest Associates | Website

https://www.mqimaging.com

Becker's Healthcare

https://www.asccommunications.com/

Medium

https://medium.com/

EE Times

https://www.eetimes.com/

SquawkBox

https://www.cnbc.com/squawk-box-us/?msockid=014c12082de5636d164800ce2c5e6294

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Sandra Powell-Elliott, Chief Innovation and Commercialization Officer at Hackensack Meridian Health, joins David Wright to discuss the intersection of innovation, AI, and commercialization in healthcare. With a background spanning administration, business strategy, and technology adoption, she shares insights on how health systems can embrace automation, foster an innovation-driven culture, and transform care delivery.

Key Takeaways:

(03:33) Diving into a problem makes finding solutions easier.

(06:32) Connecting over key problems can help break down silos.

(10:32) Importance of distinctions between managing and leading.

(13:14) Cutting costs alone won’t drive success — growth and innovation are key.

(16:42) AI should be leveraged as an assistive tool, not just a buzzword.

(20:09) Learning to say “no” is a crucial skill in leadership and innovation.

(27:55) Driving transformation by pulling together research and innovation.

(30:42) Creating an innovative culture starts with engaging all employees as problem solvers.

(36:44) Nurses’ workarounds often reveal scalable innovations that can improve efficiency.

(39:03) Healthcare’s future lies in personalized, in-home diagnostics and treatment.

(40:55) Business models must evolve for health systems to sustain preventive care.

Resources Mentioned:

Sandra Powell-Elliott

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandra-powell-elliott-999a609/

Hackensack Meridian Health | LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/hackensackmeridianhealth/

Hackensack Meridian Health | Website

https://www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/en/

“The Heat Will Kill You First” by Jeff Goodell

https://www.amazon.com/Heat-Will-Kill-You-First/dp/0316497576

“Freedom” by Sebastian Junger

https://www.amazon.com/Freedom-Sebastian-Junger/dp/1982153415

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This week, David Wright is joined by Farnaz Ronaghi, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer at NovoEd, to discuss how AI transforms employee learning, the shift in enterprise SaaS and the key leadership lessons she has learned while scaling a company. They explore the role of curiosity in leadership, the challenges of growing a team and how enterprises are rethinking their approach to learning and development.

(03:16) Prototyping ideas is easier than ever with AI.

(05:17) Finding the right career path takes exploration, persistence and support from mentors and colleagues.

(10:18) Every conversation, even difficult ones, can become a learning opportunity.

(14:55) Leadership is about creating space for others to own their decisions.

(17:03) Agility means knowing when to slow down and when to move fast.

(21:42) Traditional SaaS isn’t enough — enterprise tools must integrate seamlessly.

(27:43) AI will change employee learning by embedding training into workflows.

(34:02) Failure is the best way to grow — learn fast and move forward.

Resources Mentioned:

Farnaz Ronaghi -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/farnazr/

NovoEd | LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/novoed/

NovoEd | Website -

https://novoed.com

“Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most” -

https://www.amazon.com/Difficult-Conversations-Discuss-What-Matters/dp/0143118447

“Continuous Discovery Habits” -

https://www.amazon.com/Continuous-Discovery-Habits-Discover-Products/dp/1736633309

“Joy of Agility”

https://www.amazon.com/Joy-Agility-Problems-Succeed-Sooner/dp/1637742770

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This week, David Wright is joined by Claudionor Coelho Jr., Chief AI Officer at Zscaler, the company running the largest cybersecurity cloud in the world. Together, they discuss the intersection of AI and cybersecurity, the accelerating pace of technological change and how organizations can prepare for an AI-driven future.

Key Takeaways:

(05:54) Lessons learned from early career failures and how collaboration drives success.

(08:36) The rapid acceleration of AI development, from LLMs to generative AI.

(15:40) Zscaler processes over half a trillion transactions daily.

(21:56) The importance of data lineage in AI systems.

(25:51) The need for organizations to treat data organization seriously.

(30:40) Addressing the cybersecurity talent shortage with AI automation.

(32:25) How generative AI is used by both defenders and attackers in cybersecurity.

(36:55) “Life is fluid, and you should enjoy the journey.”

Resources Mentioned:

Claudionor Coelho Jr. -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudionor-coelho-jr-b156b01/

Zscaler LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/zscaler/

Zscaler | Website -

https://www.zscaler.com

Thanks for listening to the “Disruptive Innovators” podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the Champions of Digital Business.

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Pavan Pidugu, Chief Technology Officer of FMCSA at the US Department of Transportation, shares insights from his transformative career, which spans retail leadership and federal government innovation. As CTO, he leads initiatives that enhance safety and efficiency in the transportation industry, driving cultural and technological change.

(02:31) The importance of fostering a startup culture within government roles.

(09:41) How learning from failure and adaptability shapes strong leadership.

(15:11) Balancing empathy and tough decision-making as a leader.

(19:53) Lessons from implementing cultural and technological transformation at FMCSA.

(26:25) Technology is straightforward, but people and processes determine the success of transformations.

(36:33) Using identity verification to combat fraud in the trucking industry.

(41:04) Leveraging AI and data governance to promote safety and compliance.

(45:32) The future of transportation with edge computing and autonomous systems.

Resources Mentioned:

Pavan Pidugu -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/pidugupavan/

US Department of Transportation LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/usdot/

US Department of Transportation | Website -

https://www.transportation.gov/careers

“The Autobiography of a Yogi” by Paramahansa Yogananda -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autobiography_of_a_Yogi

Swami Vivekananda -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swami_Vivekananda

Thanks for listening to the “Disruptive Innovators” podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the Champions of Digital Business.

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Cheryl Johnson, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Betterworks, joins David Wright to share her career journey and leadership lessons. Cheryl discusses embracing challenges, staying grounded and creating human-centered work cultures. She also shares pivotal career moments, including overcoming burnout, navigating startups and driving innovation with AI.

Key Takeaways:

(03:53) The value of showing up authentically as a leader.

(09:40) Leaning into fear creates growth opportunities.

(16:32) You don’t have to be ready, just courageous.

(23:36) Recovery from burnout requires prioritizing health and mindfulness.

(30:42) Humility is key to leadership; no one is a “perfect leader.”

(37:15) Building consumer-level ease of use in enterprise tech is essential.

(44:47) AI must enhance human work without replacing accountability.

(50:08) AI tools can level expectations and unlock innovation.

(52:27) Trusting yourself is key to overcoming imposter syndrome.

Resources Mentioned:

Cheryl Johnson -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylporro/

Betterworks LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/betterworks/

Betterworks | Website -

https://www.betterworks.com/

“The Hard Thing About Hard Things” by Ben Horowitz -

https://www.amazon.com/Hard-Thing-About-Things-Building/dp/0062273205

Thanks for listening to the “Disruptive Innovators” podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the Champions of Digital Business.

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Ryan Hale, Chief Information Officer at Lithko Contracting, joins David Wright to discuss scaling a business while navigating digital transformation. Lithko, the nation’s second-largest concrete contractor, manages over 500 projects in 22 locations. Ryan reflects on his decade of leadership, sharing lessons on problem-solving, data-driven decision-making and embracing innovation.

Key Takeaways:

(02:26) Lithko’s projects span warehouses, hospitals and high-rises, fostering local connections in every town.

(05:29) “Every day you have to earn it” underscores Ryan’s drive and accountability.

(11:04) Leadership involves hiring smart people and embracing humility to solve challenges collaboratively.

(17:34) Continuous improvement requires reflecting on failures to refine processes.

(29:20) The aging workforce in construction presents a challenge in capturing undocumented expertise.

(32:53) Data-driven insights empower newer workers to perform at experienced levels.

(40:04) Technologies like drones and augmented reality are transforming construction workflows.

(43:17) Scaling requires balancing entrepreneurial spirit with effective governance.

(43:51) Leaders must slow down to celebrate achievements while planning for future challenges.

(46:01) Saying “yes” to one priority often means saying “no” to another, requiring careful trade-offs.

Resources Mentioned:

Ryan Hale -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-hale-8491aa8/

Lithko Contracting -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/lithko-contracting/

Lithko Contracting website -

https://www.lithko.com/

McKinsey Report on Technology Adoption in Industries -

https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/mckinsey-digital/our-insights/the-top-trends-in-tech

Thanks for listening to the Disruptive Innovators podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the Champions of Digital Business.

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In this episode, David Wright is joined by Daniel Burrus, a renowned futurist, author, and Founder and CEO of Burrus Research, Inc. a global research and consulting firm based in Wisconsin. Burrus shares his insights on anticipatory thinking, hard and soft trends, and how businesses can leverage these concepts to remain relevant and future-ready.

Key Takeaways:

(07:45) Thinking big, then aiming for an even bigger goal.

(08:55) The power of failing fast to learn faster.

(12:14) Failure fosters growth through resilience and adaptability.

(21:27) Defining hard trends as future facts that drive certainty.

(23:41) Distinguishing between hard and soft trends in planning.

(25:11) Viewing disruption as a choice, not an inevitability.

(30:53) Using future facts to confidently innovate and make bold moves.

(36:16) Taking an hour a week to unplug from the present and focus on the future.

Resources Mentioned:

Daniel Burrus -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielburrus/

Burrus Research, Inc. | LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/burrus-research-inc-/

Burrus Research, Inc. | Website -

https://www.burrus.com/

2025 Technology Hard Trends Report -

https://www.burrus.com/technology-driven-trends-2/

AI Strategy Report -

https://www.aistrategyreport.com/ai-report-daniel-burrus

Flash Foresight: How to See the Invisible and Do the Impossible by Daniel Burrus -

https://www.burrus.com/store/flash-foresight-book/

The Anticipatory Organization by Daniel Burrus -

https://www.burrus.com/store/the-anticipatory-organization-book/

Thanks for listening to the “Disruptive Innovators” podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the Champions of Digital Business.

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Paul Smith, Chief Information Officer of Amnesty International, shares his journey from a working-class background to becoming a leader in digital innovation at one of the world’s largest human rights organizations. With insights into resourcefulness, cybersecurity and global tech solutions, Paul offers a look into managing technology with purpose and resilience.

Key Takeaways:

(06:06) The importance of leveraging networks for shared knowledge and support.

(08:23) Recognizing the value of humility and continuous learning in leadership.

(10:38) Managing time effectively is a critical factor in tech project success.

(14:03) Closing the digital divide for inclusivity across diverse regions.

(18:36) Cybersecurity challenges posed by nation-state actors.

(22:54) Leveraging AI to manage large-scale knowledge for human rights protection.

(26:57) CIOs evolving as ecosystem leaders, orchestrating connections between people, technology, and services.

(27:44) Adopting a forward-thinking mindset toward digital disruption and opportunity.

(31:53) Advice to younger self: Step out of comfort zones, engage in networking, and share knowledge.

Resources Mentioned:

Paul Smith -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/pdsmithmba/

Amnesty International -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/amnesty-international/

Amnesty International website -

https://www.amnesty.org/

“Clearly Agile” by Giles Lindsay -

https://clearlyagile.agiledeltaconsulting.com/

Thanks for listening to the “Disruptive Innovators” podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the Champions of Digital Business.

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Ingo Paas, CIO and CDO of Green Cargo, shares insights into leading digital transformation within the rail cargo industry. Green Cargo was the winner of the 2023 IDC Future Enterprise Best in Future of Digital Infrastructure EMEA Award. Ingo has been at the forefront of leveraging AI to innovate and transform traditional industries, showcasing how digital infrastructure can support scalable and sustainable solutions.

Key Takeaways:

(04:10) Don’t underestimate transformational changes in technology, especially AI.

(09:32) Ingo’s experience of raising his son with a rare genetic condition taught him to find purpose in difficult challenges and drive change.

(16:19) Finding a purpose larger than oneself leads to more fulfilling and meaningful achievements.

(20:44) Building a cloud-based platform using OpenAI and graph technology.

(22:49) Modernizing core infrastructure and moving it to the cloud.

(25:14) Autonomy, trust and accountability are key leadership principles at Green Cargo.

(27:05) Strategy needs to be flexible to adapt to rapid changes in technology.

(31:47) Many leaders underestimate the disruptive potential of technological change.

Resources Mentioned:

Ingo Paas -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ingo-paas-aa655a9/

Green Cargo | LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-cargo/

Green Cargo website -

http://www.greencargo.com/

”Digital Composable Enterprises” by Ingo Paas -

https://www.amazon.com/DIGITAL-COMPOSABLE-ENTERPRISES-Evolutionary-Organizations/dp/B0C1HRT9XG

Thanks for listening to the Disruptive Innovators podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the Champions of Digital Business.

#DisruptiveInnovation #Innovation #DisruptiveTech #DigitalBusiness