From navigating layoffs during the 2008 crash to leading financial transformation at Google, Lamont Johnson’s journey is a story of resilience, empathy, and reinvention. In this episode of Behind Numbers, host Alessandro Cozzi dives into how Lamont built his career through uncertainty, embraced change, and transformed finance into a driver of innovation and human connection.

Raised in Northern Virginia, Lamont’s path took him from Morehouse College to roles at Coca-Cola, Fiserv, and McKesson before joining Google—where he has led AI-driven efficiencies saving over $500M and built teams that thrive through trust and purpose.

Lamont shares pivotal moments that shaped his leadership:

• How losing his job early in his career taught him adaptability and self-awareness.

• Why empathy and transparency are the most underrated skills for financial leaders.

• How AI is reshaping—not replacing—the human side of work.

• Why the relationships you build will always outlast the reports you deliver.

He also reveals what it really takes to get into Google (after 20 interviews!), how to overcome imposter syndrome, and how he leads teams to improve productivity by 40%—not through control, but through compassion.

Lamont’s reflections remind us that leadership isn’t just about mastering numbers—it’s about mastering relationships. Whether you’re a finance professional, a startup founder, or a leader navigating transformation, this conversation offers timeless lessons on growth, humility, and the power of people in an AI-driven world.

🎧 Listen now to discover how empathy and innovation can coexist—and how to lead with both.