Innovative leadership often begins where courage meets conviction—and Naeem Ishaq, EVP, CFO, and Chief Strategy Officer at Checkr, embodies both. From his early days as a McDonald’s fry cook to helping lead companies like Salesforce and Square through hypergrowth and IPO milestones, Naeem’s journey is one of persistence, humility, and vision. In this conversation, he shares what he learned from working alongside some of tech’s most brilliant minds, how mentorship and trust shaped his leadership style, and why embracing AI and transparency are key to driving lasting change. His story proves that real innovation comes from those unafraid to take the hard path and redefine what’s possible.