Inspiring Voices

Dive into the world of retail, consumer products, and luxury with our host Christian Zani and Elaine Parr, a visionary leader at IBM, as she shares her unique journey from a local grocery store to leading transformative digital and AI initiatives in the business world. Discover how passion, resilience, and a knack for embracing technology have shaped her career and how she champions the next generation of female leaders in an industry ripe for innovation.Get ready for an inspiring tale that bridges jam factories, luxury brands, and cutting-edge technology.

1. [00:44 - 03:35] How did you get into this world of retail and CPG and what attracted you to it?
2. [03:49 - 06:33] What early life values or lessons have shaped who you are today, and how do they influence your decisions and strengths now?
3. [06:56 - 11:40] Were there mentors, sponsors, or champions throughout your career who helped shape key decisions and influenced the direction you’re in today?
4. [11:53 - 15:04] How did you go about identifying and building relationships with mentors, sponsors, or coaches and was that process organic, intentional, or a mix of both?
5. [17:17 - 18:22] As an IBM alumni who returned to the organization, what was your experience like coming back, and was there a person or opportunity that drew you back?
6. [18:34 -21:33] You touched on your recruiting experience earlier, could you share what the executive search and integration process was like when you returned to IBM?
7. [22:12 - 26:44] As you reflect on your career, what ultimately brought you back to IBM, and why did you decide to return?
8. [27:15 - 31:38] How would you inspire young professionals and future leaders to explore careers in technology, including areas like AI, machine learning, and industries such as retail and CPG?
9. [31:52 - 36:53] Beyond the technology itself like AI and quantum, what makes IBM an attractive place to lead, grow, and build a career over the next five to ten years
10. [37:32 - 40:88] For someone interested in consulting who may be new to it, what advice would you offer on navigating the demands of the role while balancing life at home?

In this episode of Inspiring Voices, our host Christian Zani welcomes Yogi Goyal, IBM’s newly appointed Global Managing Partner and Service Line Leader for AI-First Business Operations. With over 25 years of experience driving large-scale transformations and P&L growth across global markets, Yogi brings unparalleled insight into the evolution of business operations in an AI-powered world.

Yogi dives deep into what “AI-First” means for BPO today, explaining how IBM is redesigning workflows with agentic AI, enabling employees to focus on judgment, creativity, and human-centric work. He shares real-world examples from finance, procurement, HR, and customer operations, illustrating how IBM combines innovation with reliability to deliver transformative results for clients.

Listeners will also gain a personal perspective as Yogi recounts his inspiring journey - from overcoming early challenges in India to leading billion-dollar operations across multiple organizations, and finally joining IBM. He shares the mentors, experiences, and pivotal decisions that shaped his career and offers practical advice for professionals navigating the AI-driven future.

This conversation touches on leadership, talent development, organizational transformation, and the future of work, making it a must-listen for executives, students, and aspiring leaders alike. Tune in to hear how IBM is leading the next wave of business operations innovation and how you can be part of it.

1. [00:54 - 02:02] What does AI First mean for BPO today and how is IBM redefining business operations for global clients?
2. [02:09 – 03:43] Where do you see AI driving the biggest shifts in BPO right now, is it in automation, augmentation, decision-making, or entirely new operating models?
3. [03:44 - 04:47] Can you elaborate on the intersection of IBM with AI Agentic and HR, especially for our audience who may not be familiar with what’s happening in that space?
4. [04:58 - 06:06] With IBM’s decades of global delivery experience and AI accelerating, how do you see IBM repositioning itself within the BPO landscape?
5. [06:11 - 07:55] You’ve led major transformations across GE, Excel, WNS, and now IBM. What patterns are you seeing that make these transformations truly successful?
6. [08:07 -09:17] When building high-performing teams, what qualities do you look for, and what expectations do you have, whether for executives, experienced professionals, or even recent graduates?
7. [09:34 - 10:41] With so much discussion about AI potentially replacing roles, what advice would you give someone worried about their job becoming obsolete  and how can curiosity, eagerness, and a willingness to learn help them navigate this change?
8. [10:42 - 12:08] Is there anything else from a BPO perspective that you’d like to share, anything we haven’t asked that you’d like to highlight for our audience?
9. [12:22 - 16:01] Can you share with our audience a bit about your upbringing and the early experiences that shaped your interest in business and operations?
10. [16:24 - 19:49] From a career perspective, were there experiences or pivotal moments that defined your path, or major decisions that led you to the role you have today?
11. [19:56 - 20:28] Were there mentors or key influencers who helped shape the leadership style you have today?
12. [20:35 – 22:52] Pivoting to your IBM chapter, what was the key factor that excited you to take this next step in your career and life?
13. [23:18 - 25:03] Can you share your experience with our Executive Search and Integration practice, from recruiting through onboarding, and what that process was like for you personally?

In this episode, our host Christian Zani sits down with Juhi (McClelland, Managing Partner, IBM Consulting APAC) to explore her inspiring journey across two continents - from growing up in India to building a 25 year career in technology in America and beyond. Juhi shares the defining moments that shaped her, the mentors and leaders who guided her, and why she believes learning, inclusion, and putting the customer at the center are the keys to lasting success. She opens up about her transition to Singapore, her views on leadership, work life balance and her advice for anyone aspiring to enter the world of tech. A story of curiosity, growth, and staying true to yourself.

1. [00:54 - 04:18] Can you tell us about your upbringing and how it influenced your interest in technology?
2. [04:36 - 05:54] Did you always plan to work in business and tech, or did you have any other influence?
3. [05:57 - 06:45] Was there something that pointed you towards IBM, any specific internship or any other opportunity?
4. [07:00 - 08:46] What kept you at IBM through your entire professional journey?
5. [09:16 - 11:41] Have there been any specific defining moments for you in IBM?
6. [11:53 -14:21] How did the flexibility of IBM’s career paths support your growth over the years?
7. [14:32 - 16:36] Was there one role at IBM that really transformed how you think or lead?
8. [16:57 - 18:37] How have your assignments evolved during this time, and what has the transition to Singapore been like for you?
9. [19:14 - 22:08] What do you look for when identifying future leaders?
10. [22:45 - 25:58] How do you encourage young professionals to see a future in the tech industry?

In this episode, our host Christian Zani sits down with Juhi (McClelland, Managing Partner, IBM Consulting APAC) to explore her inspiring journey across two continents - from growing up in India to building a 25 year career in technology in America and beyond. Juhi shares the defining moments that shaped her, the mentors and leaders who guided her, and why she believes learning, inclusion, and putting the customer at the center are the keys to lasting success. She opens up about her transition to Singapore, her views on leadership, work life balance and her advice for anyone aspiring to enter the world of tech. A story of curiosity, growth, and staying true to yourself.

1. [00:54 - 04:18] Can you tell us about your upbringing and how it influenced your interest in technology?
2. [04:36 - 05:54] Did you always plan to work in business and tech, or did you have any other influence?
3. [05:57 - 06:45] Was there something that pointed you towards IBM, any specific internship or any other opportunity?
4. [07:00 - 08:46] What kept you at IBM through your entire professional journey?
5. [09:16 - 11:41] Have there been any specific defining moments for you in IBM?
6. [11:53 -14:21] How did the flexibility of IBM’s career paths support your growth over the years?
7. [14:32 - 16:36] Was there one role at IBM that really transformed how you think or lead?
8. [16:57 - 18:37] How have your assignments evolved during this time, and what has the transition to Singapore been like for you?
9. [19:14 - 22:08] What do you look for when identifying future leaders?
10. [22:45 - 25:58] How do you encourage young professionals to see a future in the tech industry?

Brought to you by IBM’s Executive Search & Integration team, Inspiring Voices is a podcast series that showcases great leaders who tell their personal life story, career trajectory and how they’ve made an impact throughout.

Welcome to Inspiring Voices, IBM's podcast showcasing executive leaders. In episode seven, host Christian Zani, takes us through the career journey of Aparna Sharma, GM, Managing Partner, Offerings and Growth, IBM. Get inspired by Aparna's story where she talks through her career journey, what inspired her to join IBM and how she has navigated her way around the organization for 20 years and worked her way up to an executive position.

Brought to you by IBM’s Executive Search & Integration team, Inspiring Voices is a podcast series that showcases great leaders who tell their personal life story, career trajectory and how they’ve made an impact throughout.

Welcome to Inspiring Voices, IBM's podcast showcasing executive leaders. In episode six, host Christian Zani, takes us through the career journey of Cristina Pontes, ISenior Partner, American Airlines and McKesson at IBM. Get inspired by Cristina's story where she talks through her career journey, what inspired her to join IBM and how she has navigated her way around the organization for 20 years and worked her way up to an executive position.

Listen for:

• [00:07 - 00:43] Welcome to episode six of Inspiring Voices
• [01:00 - 03:54] Can you walk us through your 20 year career with IBM?
• [04:00 - 08:35] Was there a defining moment for you in your career?
• [09:13 - 11:00] How has IBM set you up for success ?
• [11:10 - 12:57] How do you balance work and personal commitments ?
• [22:50 - 24:12] What motivates and drives you ?
• [24:26 -24:50] Advice to your 21 year old self.

Brought to you by IBM’s Executive Search & Integration team, Inspiring Voices is a podcast series that showcases great leaders who tell their personal life story, career trajectory and how they’ve made an impact throughout.

In episode five, host Christian Zani, takes us through the career journey of Carl Bernadotte, IBM's new Global Director of Executive Search and Integration. Get inspired by Carl's story where he talks through his career journey, what inspired him to join IBM and how he has found his integration into Big Blue. Listen in as he talks through how he utilizes his techniques as a basketball coach and translates those into his leadership role, how he navigates his work/life balance and draws on his background & faith, the grounding force that makes him who he is today.

Listen for:

• [00:04 - 00:46] Welcome to episode four of Inspiring Voices
• [00:53 - 02:25] What your role entails and what attracted you to IBM?
• [04:00 - 05:17] How have you been set up for success in your new role?
• [05:49 - 09:34] What are some of your passions?
• [09:40 - 11:58] What advice can you give on coaching ?
• [12:00 -14:40] What drives you to be successful ?
• [18:56- ] Advice to your 21 year old self.

Brought to you by IBM’s Executive Search & Integration team, Inspiring Voices is a podcast series that showcases great leaders who tell their personal life story, career trajectory and how they’ve made an impact throughout.

In episode four, host Christian Zani, takes us through the career journey of Nicolette Freeman, Vice President and Lead Client Partner for Aerospace and Defence at IBM. Get inspired by Nicolette's story where she talks through her early career in the military, and how she has transitioned into the corporate environment, sharing her advice for others who are wanting to or about to do the same. At IBM she details the secrets to her success, and how her championship mindset focuses her goal on how technology can make an impact in the aerospace and defence industry. Listen in as she candidly talks about ruthless prioritisation to ensure that everything important gets her attention, and how she dedicates time to giveback activities both inside and outside of IBM.

Listen for:

• [00:07 - 00:43] Welcome to episode four of Inspiring Voices
• [01:01 - 03:04] What your role entails and what attracted you to IBM?
• [03:39 - 05:13] Secret to your success?
• [05:32 - 06:55] Nicolette's military career and what inspired her to join
• [07:22 - 10:02] Combat experience and the corporate world.
• [15:27 - 19:32] Veterans and Black BRG groups.
• [23:18 - 26:15] Advice to vets wanting to join the corporate environment
• [29:15 - 32:23] Work life balance and the "cut line".
• [32:53 - 34:58] Advice to your 21 year old self.

Brought to you by IBM’s Executive Search & Integration team, Inspiring Voices is a podcast series that showcases great leaders who tell their personal life story, career trajectory and how they’ve made an impact throughout.

In this third episode, we uncover the exciting journey of Maurice Blackwood, Vice President of Americas zSoftware and co-chair of the Black Executive Council within IBM. Maurice has 20+ years of experience at IBM, and while telling his story he truly demonstrates how executives are set up for success by a great support system of mentors, advisors, and leaders, as well as an environment of never-ending opportunities. He also elaborates on what true mentorship is for him, his strong belief in the need for work-life balance in order to thrive, and shares his tips: work hard, stay balanced, and put some fun into it. This episode also offers Maurice's reflections on what a diverse culture truly is and what a company can and should do more of to embrace it fully.

Listen for:

• [00:07 - 00:43] Welcome to episode three of Inspiring Voices
• [00:46 - 03:30] Why IBM and Why still here after 20+ years
• [03:40 - 05:47] Being co-chair of the Black Executive Council
• [05:47 - 10:10] Reflectons about diveristy and inclusion and what we could do more of
• [10:10 - 12:07] Being set up for success as a senior leader. Livning on the messy edge.
• [12:07 - 16:00] Reflections on mentorship and menteeship, and the importance of books as part of the equation.
• [16:00 - 19:22] Sources of inspiration
• [19:22 - 21:39] Opportunities for leaders, such as being on an acceleration team
• [21:39 - 23:08] About those pivotal moments
• [23:08 - 26:33] "You have to ensure a healthy work life balance"
• [26:33 - 29:42] Advise to the 21-year-old self, how to Work hard, stay balanced, and put some fun into it.

Brought to you by IBM’s Executive Search & Integration team, Inspiring Voices is a podcast series that showcases great leaders who tell their personal life story, career trajectory and how they’ve made an impact throughout.

Join us for this episode as we dive into the fascinating journey of Dr. Nicola Hodson, Country General Manager UK & Ireland. Nicola reflects on IBMs culture and provides valuable insights into her experience as a new executive at IBM and how she navigates her path to success. Additionally, she tells us about her deep-rooted passion for science and technology, and how it intertwines with her commitment to sustainability. Nicola also sheds light on the importance of listening to your inner well-being and intuition while highlighting the impact of surrounding oneself with the right people—both personally and professionally. Her story serves as an inspiration, encouraging us to trust our instincts, embrace our beliefs, and persist in our pursuits.

BRG = Business Resource Groups