Go Beyond The Connection

Cybersecurity isn’t just about technology—it’s about leadership.

In this episode of Go Beyond the Connection, Javed Ikbal breaks down how misalignment at the executive level weakens even the most well-funded cybersecurity programs.

Drawing on decades of experience in security leadership, Javed explains why CISOs must stop speaking in technical terms and start communicating business risk. He shares examples of how cultural gaps, unclear roles, and competing priorities leave companies vulnerable—and how to turn that around.

What you’ll learn:

1. Why people—not tools—still pose the biggest risk
2. How executive misalignment creates security gaps
3. Why CISOs must translate threats into business language
4. How to reduce shadow IT through better alignment
5. The role of empathy in building a strong security culture

Quote from Javed:

“If security is getting in the way of business, business will go around security. Every time.”

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📖 Check out the Episode Landing Page: https://www.bigleaf.net/podcast-episodes/013-javed-ikbal/

📺 Watch More Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSnAvj9VfOKQ2ISXOUIAc3Jse8S3eJIde

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👤 Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/javedikbal/

🏢 Guest Company: https://www.brighthorizons.com/

What does it take to design a network that won’t go down—even when something breaks?

In this episode, Milagro CEO Hamed Mazrouei shares how he built the HAFT platform to deliver fault-tolerant, high-availability infrastructure across multiple business locations, even on a budget.

Key Learnings:

1. Design for every failure point
2. Scale HA with Bigleaf SD-WAN
3. Keep your brand safe through tech and partner accountability

Quote: “Bigleaf has to be a 10. We don’t tolerate anyone who isn’t.”

🎧 https://feeds.captivate.fm/go-beyond-the-connection/

📖 https://www.bigleaf.net/podcast-episodes/012-hamed-mazrouei/

▶️ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSnAvj9VfOKQ2ISXOUIAc3Jse8S3eJIde

When healthcare systems fail, lives are on the line. That’s why CIOs can’t just be operational—they must lead.

In this episode of Go Beyond the Connection, Julie Dearinger-Smith, Founder & CEO at Contingency Health Solutions, discusses how CIO leadership in healthcare resilience is reshaping patient safety, business continuity, and cross-functional alignment.

Julie brings 25+ years of experience in nursing informatics and IT leadership to the conversation, revealing why the CIO is no longer a behind-the-scenes tech role. Instead, today’s CIO is a strategic partner, capable of translating complex systems into boardroom decisions—and helping entire health systems plan for the unexpected.

Key takeaways:

1. A resilient network starts with contingency planning, not just infrastructure.
2. Wireless must be strong enough to be invisible.
3. Leadership must ensure technology is adopted—not just implemented.
4. Downtime is inevitable. Preparation reduces its impact.
5. Cross-functional trust creates true resilience.

Julie emphasizes that people—not just platforms—create stability. “Even the best technology is completely useless if it isn’t adopted,” she says.

1. 🎧 Go Beyond The Connection
2. 📖 Read the blog recap
3. ▶️ Watch more episodes
4. 📬 Subscribe on LinkedIn
5. 👤 Guest on LinkedIn: Julie Dearinger-Smith
6. 🏥 Guest Company: Contingency Health Solutions

Rob Huffstedtler, Global Head of Solutions Architecture at Sitecore, brings decades of cross-functional experience to this question—and the answer isn’t always obvious. In Episode 11 of Go Beyond the Connection, Rob explains why aligning executive leadership with technical goals is the difference between meaningful innovation and organizational gridlock.

Through compelling stories drawn from his journey in IT, sales enablement, and even competitive chili cookoffs, Rob explores the hidden forces that shape how companies use (or misuse) their data. He argues that data is only valuable when aligned to business outcomes—and that alignment begins with the C-Suite.

“If data clarity and alignment don’t happen at the C-suite level, silos form. Then data becomes a tool to justify decisions, rather than a shared language for making the right ones.”

This episode offers tactical advice for anyone selling into—or advocating within—enterprise organizations. If you're tired of managing by anecdote, struggling with siloed KPIs, or being treated as a cost center, Rob’s insights will help you change the conversation.

🎧 Listen at http://www.gobeyondtheconnection.com

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-huffstedtler

🌐 Sitecore: https://www.sitecore.com

Dean Sapp, Chief Information Security Officer at Filevine, explains why cybersecurity is more than just a cost center. He explores the financial risks of data breaches, revealing how swiftly companies can lose customers. He shows that business-minded security leaders need both technical skills and commercial acumen. He offers insights on leveraging IT to enhance revenue and trust.

“A breach can hit profits overnight—strong security is truly a business enabler.” - Dean Sapp

Businesses often overlook the critical relationship between cybersecurity and operational growth. In this conversation, Dean reveals how disciplined habits—both in personal life and technology—can create a robust foundation for success. Learn how a commitment to consistent preparation, proactive defense, and relentless improvement can help safeguard data, earn stakeholder trust, and promote sustainable revenue gains.

Scott Reid, National Vice President of Technology Strategy and Sales at Radiology Partners, dives into why hitting the reset button is sometimes the smartest move. From lessons learned on championship teams to leading successful business strategies, Scott shares how continuous reevaluation and embracing change drive real growth.

“You'll know it's time to start over when results decline and competitors outperform you.”

We discuss building trust within teams, leveraging technology for competitive advantage, and recognizing when the status quo holds you back.

🎧 Full audio feed: https://feeds.captivate.fm/go-beyond-the-connection/

🔗 Full podbook and blog: https://www.bigleaf.net/podcast-episodes/008-scott-reid/

Find Scott on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottmreid22/

Gary Trobaugh, Director of Information Technology at Life Flight Network, explores the pivotal role of a wireless-first approach in modern network infrastructure. He highlights how quick setup, mobility, and satellite connectivity create competitive advantages. He underscores the importance of securing sensitive data—especially in life-critical industries—and why seamless connectivity enables rapid expansion and secure, higher-level customer experiences.

"Wireless is the future. You need to embrace it, get comfortable with it, and utilize it. It will become a part of everyone’s daily life—if it hasn’t already." - Gary Trobaugh

As industries evolve, wireless-first solutions offer substantial business agility. Adopting wireless-first means organizations can meet immediate demands, outpace competitors, and secure faster, more reliable operations. Gary shares invaluable insights into how businesses can ensure security while reaping the benefits of a flexible and scalable wireless-first infrastructure.

Most IT leaders know they cannot do everything alone. But knowing that and actually building the partner relationships that make a difference are two very different things.

In this episode, Steve MacDonald sits down with Shawn Tinsley, Senior Director of IT at Dell Technologies, to talk about what it really takes to build partner ecosystems that drive results. Shawn brings a rare combination of executive IT experience and graduate-level research in organizational decision-making, and he uses both to make a clear case: the organizations that win are the ones that invest in the people and relationships around their technology, not just the technology itself.

Shawn discusses why no single team can possess all the expertise a modern enterprise requires, what happens when organizations rely too heavily on internal knowledge alone, and how external partners can fill critical gaps while helping companies focus on what they do best. He also shares the story of leading a cloud migration involving 7,000 applications, a project that succeeded not because of the technology plan but because of the change management work and trust built along the way.

Key Learnings

• No internal team can hold all the expertise a modern enterprise needs -- partner networks fill critical gaps
• Culture, not technology, is the most consistent predictor of organizational success across 250 studies
• A shift from passive ticket-taking to proactive service delivery generated $50 million in savings over three years
• Trust and two-way communication are what make large-scale technology implementations succeed
• Identifying core vs. non-core functions is the highest-leverage decision an IT leader can make

"Even the most advanced tools are meaningless unless people unite around shared goals."

-- Shawn Tinsley, Senior Director of IT, Dell Technologies

For IT and network leaders thinking about how to get more from their partner relationships, this conversation offers clear, experience-backed guidance.

Listen now and connect with Shawn Tinsley on LinkedIn

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Visit Go Beyond The Connection website for more information

Interview Guest: Jim Grassman, Vice President of Technology at Homes for Heroes

Find them on LinkedIn

Eric Cole, Founder and CEO at Secure Anchor Consulting, explores critical challenges around data security in a connected world. He highlights how many of us lose track of our digital assets when relying on cloud storage and wireless networks. He demonstrates the risks of neglected security controls, particularly as we scale operations. He offers practical advice for building resilience without sacrificing convenience.

“Data keeps multiplying, and if we don’t control it, we can’t harness its power.” – Eric Cole

Eric Cole’s conversation dives into the ever-shifting demands of cybersecurity and networking, highlighting the importance of remaining adaptive to advances in threat tactics. He reveals how a love for problem-solving propels him to explore cutting-edge solutions, ensuring businesses stay resilient while protecting their most valuable asset—data. Ultimately, he shows that continuous innovation is the only way to stay ahead of cyber adversaries.

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Visit Go Beyond The Connection website for more information

Interview Guest: Eric Cole, Founder and CEO at Secure Anchor Consulting

Find them on LinkedIn