Jeff Lupinacci, Founder and CEO of Evolve HR Solutions, joins Karina Jimenez to share his career journey from manufacturing to corporate HR and ultimately entrepreneurship. Jeff explains how walking through open doors shaped his path and why varied experiences early on can compound over time.

They discuss Jeff’s concept of AI as a third workforce alongside full-time and contract talent, how leaders should think about mapping work across people and technology, and where AI adds value without replacing human judgment. Jeff also shares practical advice for the next generation on AI fluency, job hopping versus building depth, and why in-person relationships still matter for long term career growth.

Toni Baruti, CIO & CTO at AllHealth Network, joins Cesar Jimenez to share how curiosity shaped her path from finance into IT leadership, business intelligence, and the C suite.

They discuss mentorship and building pathways for others, what a strong culture looks like in practice, and how Toni hires and leads with clarity and accountability. Toni also explains how her team is approaching AI in behavioral health with clear governance, real-world use cases, and a strong focus on keeping humans in the loop.

Kathy Fore, Director of Community Relations and Marketing at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida, joins Karina Jimenez to share how she built a 25+ year marketing career without taking a traditional college path.

Kathy reflects on moving from agency to corporate to nonprofit work, what truly stays the same in marketing, and how mentorship and curiosity shaped her leadership style. They discuss navigating ageism in the marketing industry, learning from tough leaders, and why understanding the mission is essential in nonprofit marketing.

The conversation closes with what’s ahead for RMHC of Central Florida in 2026, including its 30th anniversary and global rebrand, as well as advice for anyone carving their own lane and leading with purpose.

Sharon Milz, Chief Information Officer at TIME, joins host Cesar Jimenez to share her journey from early infrastructure roles to leading technology at one of the world’s most recognized media brands. Sharon reflects on how working across industries shaped her leadership approach and why understanding the business context matters as much as technical expertise.

They discuss building trust within teams, creating environments where people feel safe raising issues early, and the importance of continuous learning as technology and AI continue to reshape the role of today’s CIO. Sharon also shares her commitment to mentorship, supporting women in tech, and paying it forward to the next generation of leaders.

Fred Van Essen, Chief Strategy Officer, joins co-host Karina Jimenez to share leadership lessons from airlines, satellite communications, and high-growth teams bringing new products to market. He explains why strong leaders speak less, listen more, and create space for others to contribute.

They talk about building teams that thrive with freedom and accountability, how to protect innovation early on, and why transparency and trust matter when organizations are under pressure to change.

Neil Morris, Head of Information Technology at Redaptive, shares his leadership journey from becoming a father in high school to leading complex IT organizations across aerospace, energy, and enterprise environments. He reflects on how resilience, family support, and community shaped his career and leadership mindset.

Neil explains how he attracts and develops strong teams by hiring for learning ability, humility, and adaptability rather than narrow technical experience. He discusses managing high performers who struggle with team dynamics, the importance of cultural awareness in leadership, and how executives should view AI as a business value driver rather than a shortcut. The conversation closes with practical guidance for new executives stepping into the C-suite and for graduates navigating early technology careers.

Liz Crisafi, Senior VP of Global Marketing at Hornblower Group, joins co-host Karina Jimenez to share how a career built without a rigid master plan can still lead to meaningful leadership. Drawing on her journey from iconic brands like Kodak and Discovery to leading global marketing teams today, Liz explains why curiosity, adaptability, and human connection have guided every step.

She discusses how definitions of success evolve, why failure is often the fastest teacher, and how confidence grows by leaning into discomfort. Liz also offers a grounded perspective on using AI as a thought partner, translating ideas across audiences, and why great marketing still starts with emotion, creativity, and understanding people.

Albert Evans joins host Cesar Jimenez on Next in Line to share his path from the 82nd Airborne and 12 years in law enforcement to leading cybersecurity as a Chief Information Security Officer. Albert breaks down why compliance does not equal security, how to think like a threat actor, and what “proactive” really means in a world of offensive AI and faster attacks.

He also shares hard-earned leadership lessons on resilience, gratitude, and building teams where strategy is clear and people feel supported. To close, Albert offers practical advice for first-time C-suite leaders and early-career job seekers on standing out, learning continuously, and focusing on opportunity and mission.

Olga Noha joins Karina Jimenez to discuss how moving to the U.S. became the ultimate leadership boot camp, shaping her approach to resilience, reinvention, and global brand leadership. As Global VP of Integrated Marketing and Brand Strategy at Creatio, Olga explains how engineering discipline and human-centered storytelling converge to drive transformation at scale.

She breaks down how leaders can zoom out during moments of change, align global teams through shared narrative and cadence, and use AI to augment people rather than replace them. Olga also offers practical advice on building trust across cultures, hiring for mindset over resume, and leading with clarity in fast-moving environments.

Doug Saunders, CIO at Arctic Glacier, joins host Cesar Jimenez to break down what IT leadership looks like inside a private equity-backed business and why strong CIOs stay fluent in the P&L, not just the tech stack. Doug shares how a nontraditional background shaped his approach to hiring, why he prioritizes communication and learning over perfect credentials, and how leaders build high-trust teams through transparency, accountability, and collaboration.

He also connects lessons from sports and coaching to business execution, from staying calm under pressure to focusing on the process instead of the outcome. Doug closes with a forward-looking take on AI, how it will reshape workflows and even challenge the traditional SaaS licensing model, and what early-career technologists can do to stand out in a crowded market.