In Episode 54 of Next in Line, Karina Jimenez sits down with Carrie McDowell, a contingent workforce leader at Lyft, to break down what it really takes to build and run successful workforce programs in today’s rapidly evolving landscape.

Carrie shares her unconventional journey from retail and recruiting into leading workforce strategy, and dives into the disconnect between staffing partners, MSPs, and buyers that many organizations still struggle with today.

The conversation explores how AI is beginning to reshape the industry, why continuous learning is becoming the ultimate competitive advantage, and how leaders can better support the “middle layer” of professionals who are doing the day-to-day work but often lack access to key insights and development opportunities.

Carrie also emphasizes the importance of curiosity, relationship-building, and understanding the full team behind any partnership not just the person who sells you in the first place.

This episode is packed with real, practical insights for anyone working in staffing, recruiting, or workforce strategy and especially for those looking to grow into more strategic and advisory roles.

In Episode 54 of Next in Line, Cesar Jimenez sits down with Andrew Abrams, Vice President and Executive Producer of Entertainment and Production for the Vegas Golden Knights, to talk about career growth, networking, and what it really takes to break into professional sports.

Andrew shares his journey from growing up in Western New York experimenting with a VHS camera to leading the full in arena entertainment experience for one of the NHL’s most innovative franchises.

He walks through the real path behind the role, including:

• Starting in minor league hockey and working his way up

• Taking a leap into WWE and learning elite production at a global level

• Building relationships that opened doors at critical moments

• Returning to help build the Vegas Golden Knights from the ground up

The conversation also dives into what fans never see — the lights, music, video, and production that happen between the whistles — and how Andrew’s team creates a world class experience by pulling inspiration from Las Vegas shows, concerts, and emerging technology.

This episode is packed with practical advice for anyone looking to break into sports, media, or a competitive industry, with a strong focus on networking, timing, and being ready when opportunity shows up.

In this episode of Next In Line, Cesar sits down with Robert Sullivan, CIO and CISO at Agero and the 2025 National CISO of the Year recipient from the Orbie Awards.

Robert shares his unconventional path into technology leadership, starting in banking and operations before transitioning into telecom, software, and ultimately executive cybersecurity leadership. His journey highlights how many technology leaders discover their path through curiosity, adaptability, and a willingness to step into new challenges.

Throughout the conversation, Robert breaks down what modern cybersecurity leadership actually looks like today. He explains how security leaders must think like business leaders first — balancing innovation, risk management, and operational strategy while protecting critical data and infrastructure.

They discuss how organizations can build strong security cultures across fast-moving teams, why visibility and proactive threat management are essential in today’s cloud environments, and how emerging technologies like AI are changing both cyber defense and cyber threats.

Robert also shares insights on leadership development, working across teams to enable innovation safely, and why collaboration between engineering, security, and business leaders is more important than ever.

This episode offers valuable insights for technology leaders, cybersecurity professionals, and anyone interested in how modern organizations are navigating security, innovation, and leadership in an AI-driven world.

In this episode of the Next In Line Podcast, Karina sits down with Lars Silberbauer, global marketing leader, former CMO at HMD, and current advisor at Goldman Sachs. Lars shares lessons from a career that has taken him across the world working with iconic brands like LEGO, MTV, and the Olympic Committee, while also building companies of his own.

Lars dives into how marketing leaders must adapt to a world defined by constant disruption, rapid technological change, and the rise of AI. From translating marketing value into financial language that CEOs understand to treating your career like your own company, Lars explains the mindset required to stay ahead in today’s business environment.

The conversation also explores the growing importance of human authenticity in an AI driven world, why execution matters more than ideas, and how young professionals can position themselves for opportunity in industries that are evolving faster than ever.

If you’re a marketer, entrepreneur, or leader navigating change, this episode offers a powerful perspective on how to build a meaningful career while embracing disruption instead of fearing it.

In this episode of Next In Line, Cesar sits down with Maria O’Neill, a longtime technology executive and 20-year CIO, to talk about the mindset, resilience, and leadership principles that shaped her journey from computer programmer to global technology leader.

Maria shares how growing up as the youngest of seven in a Mexican immigrant family helped fuel her drive, why she has always been drawn to challenging project-based work, and how she navigated career pivots, higher education, motherhood, consulting, and executive leadership on her path to becoming CIO.

They also dive into what digital transformation really means, why AI is different from past tech waves, how leaders should think about security and adoption, and what it takes to build teams that embrace change instead of resisting it.

This conversation is packed with wisdom on ambition, adaptability, leadership, career growth, and what it really takes to stay relevant in a rapidly changing technology landscape.

In this episode of Next In Line, Karina sits down with Hannah Nichol, founder of Mane Impact, to discuss the journey from freelancing to building a purpose-driven marketing agency focused on ethical strategy, human-centered design, and sustainable business growth.

Hannah shares how a pivotal moment during a mission trip in San Francisco led her to rethink her career path and ultimately step into entrepreneurship. What started as freelance work in branding, design, and website development eventually grew into Mane Impact — an agency helping organizations align their messaging, brand identity, and marketing strategy.

They explore the core principles that remain constant across industries when it comes to marketing, why clarity and positioning matter more than tactics, and how businesses can build authentic relationships with their audiences.

The conversation also dives into topics like ethical marketing, burnout in entrepreneurship, sustainable business practices, and the hidden environmental impact of digital marketing, offering a unique perspective on how leaders can build organizations that grow responsibly while still making an impact.

This episode is filled with insights for entrepreneurs, marketers, and future leaders who want to build businesses rooted in purpose, clarity, and long-term sustainability.

In Episode 48 of Next in Line, Cesar Jimenez sits down with Michael Bush, Senior Director of IT and Head of Technology for the Colorado Rockies, to talk about career pivots, leadership, and what it really takes to build trust in IT.

Michael shares his unconventional path into technology, starting in accounting before making the leap into software, leadership, and eventually professional sports. He reflects on the importance of humility, authenticity, community, and learning to embrace risk early in your career.

The conversation also dives into the unique demands of running technology inside a Major League Baseball organization, from game-day operations and fan experience to analytics, infrastructure, and the growing role of AI in the business.

This episode is full of practical advice for aspiring IT professionals, emerging leaders, and anyone navigating growth, imposter syndrome, or a major career transition.

Sarah Icely Hill joins Karina Jimenez to share her 15 year journey across human resources, organizational strategy, and growth leadership at BrandActive. What began with a history degree and uncertainty about her career path evolved into a dynamic leadership role overseeing business development and marketing.

Sarah reflects on how curiosity, transferable skills, and a willingness to start as a beginner helped shape her career across multiple disciplines. From early roles at PwC, KPMG, and Canadian Tire to helping scale operations and strategy at BrandActive, she explains how focusing on problems instead of job titles opened doors to unexpected opportunities.

Throughout the conversation, Sarah shares why designing a life around values and experiences can be more powerful than rigid five or ten year career plans. She also discusses how principles from yoga and non attachment have shaped her leadership style, helping her stay open minded, curious, and resilient when facing new challenges.

The conversation also explores how younger professionals can build meaningful careers by leaning into discomfort, experimenting with new ideas, and believing in their ability to grow into roles they may not feel ready for yet. Sarah also shares practical advice on using LinkedIn intentionally to build authentic connections, grow a professional network, and create opportunities through thoughtful engagement.

Shivani joins Cesar Jimenez to share her journey from arriving in the United States in 1985 to becoming a CIO at a multibillion dollar organization. From mainframe developer to enterprise leader, she explains why the biggest risk in your career is staying in your comfort zone and how curiosity, data, and bold career moves shaped her path through Dell, PayPal, Schwab, and beyond.

She breaks down her transformation playbook, start with pain points, build with stakeholders not for them, leverage internal influencers, and make communication two way. Shivani also shares lessons from scaling enterprise systems, driving adoption, and building a single source of truth that created real business impact.

The conversation dives into AI in the enterprise, balancing speed with governance, building AI literacy internally, and why experimentation matters even when ROI is unclear. Shivani closes with powerful advice for leaders, build strong networks, practice allyship, shed perfectionism, and remember you do not have to be the smartest person in the room to lead.

Natalia Daies, Vice President of Executive Communications at Ada Marie, joins Karina Jimenez to share her 15-year journey across nonprofit communications, social impact storytelling, and executive brand strategy. Originally planning to become a nurse, Natalia pivoted early into public relations after discovering a passion for communications, going on to work across fundraising, special events, climate finance, environmental justice, and tech equity.

In this episode, Natalia explains why the first eight years of a career are especially critical for women and gender diverse professionals in STEM, and why sponsorship — not just skill building — plays a major role in long-term career growth. She shares how Ada Marie helps early career professionals navigate workplace culture, build confidence, and grow into leadership.

Natalia and Karina also discuss authenticity in the digital age, particularly for introverts building personal brands. She explains why consistency builds trust, how strong systems create powerful brands, and why understanding who you are is essential before showing up publicly.

Finally, Natalia reflects on lessons from working as both a team of one and leading larger teams, emphasizing grit, mission-driven work, and the importance of trusting your own voice rather than waiting for someone else to define your path.