Charlie sits down with Mike Childress, an Affiliate of the Feld Group Institute and a seasoned IT leader. As Chief Technology Officer, Mike has played a pivotal role in designing and deploying IT solutions across various sectors, most recently in Transportation.

Charlie and Mike explore the value of building strong connections with teams by walking the halls and emphasize the importance of alignment, trust, and approachability in today’s hybrid work environment.

Find out more about Mike's work and career here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-childress/ 

Charlie is joined by David Trent, Senior Vice President of Business Development at Canfor. David oversees mergers and acquisitions, growth strategies, sustainability initiatives, and technology. Canfor, a global leader in the forest products industry, is one of the world’s largest producers of sustainable lumber, pulp, and paper.

Together, Charlie and David explore lessons learned across industries and discuss the pressing need for businesses to adapt to challenges like supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, geopolitical conflicts, and regulatory changes. David’s unique blend of business acumen and technical expertise provides a blueprint for navigating these complexities and securing long-term success.

Find out more about David and his career: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmtrent/ 

Charlie is joined by John Jacobi, CIO, and Shannon Okinaka, CFO, of Hawaiian Airlines—Hawaii's largest and longest-serving airline. Known for leading all U.S. carriers in on-time performance since 2004, Hawaiian Airlines recently entered a new chapter as part of Alaska Airlines following a completed acquisition last fall. The two airlines are now working toward integrating under a single FAA operating certificate, a process filled with complexities.

John and Shannon bring a unique perspective shaped by Hawaiian culture and an exceptional partnership between technology and finance—an alignment that may be key to navigating transformation successfully.

Learn more about John and Shannon's journeys here:

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

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-okinaka-2a060139/

Welcome to Let’s Take a Walk, brought to you by the Feld Group Institute. We are excited to introduce this new podcast series where we’ll dive into insightful conversations covering strategic blind spots and showcasing leadership insights that inspire growth and transformation.

Our goal is to proactively share our Community’s collective experience –not only with each other but also with your broader networks of colleagues and business partners.

Here’s Charlie Feld with a message for the Feld Group Institute Community as we enter this next chapter.