Alice Hansen joins Co-Host Karina Jimenez to share her unconventional journey into marketing leadership. Starting in PR and rising to Chief Marketing Officer, Alice explains how adaptability, cross-departmental collaboration, and a willingness to embrace discomfort shaped her career. She reflects on the value of financial literacy in marketing, the importance of company culture, and why building strong relationships with finance, IT, and sales is essential for success.

Alice also explores the evolving role of AI, why it enhances marketing but cannot replace creativity, and makes the case for rethinking the CMO title as “Chief Market Officer,” placing market understanding at the center of strategy. She closes with advice for the next generation: lean into challenges, ask questions, and use discomfort as fuel for growth.

David Reid is the CTO & CMO of NOV and CEO of redM. In this episode, he explains how redM raises broad public awareness about human trafficking with messaging that reaches beyond insiders. We cover why trafficking often hides in plain sight, how grooming frequently begins online and can unfold over years, and practical ways families can set healthy, age-appropriate boundaries around devices and digital spaces. We also discuss why reintegration is hard for survivors and how small, consistent actions from communities make a real difference. Recovery works best in supportive, non-polarizing environments.

David closes with leadership lessons you can apply today: seek people who invest in you, learn from adversity, build self-awareness, balance work and home to avoid burnout, treat failure as input, identify and use your superpowers, and prioritize relationships over tasks. Understanding differences lowers defensiveness, and culture and creativity shape who we become through continual growth.

Kevin Keith, Chief Marketing Officer at Edible Brands, joins Co-Host Karina Jimenez to share how he builds brands people love. We cover founder-first strategy, turning insights into sharp, shared direction, and why emotional connection beats raw metrics when you’re trying to grow. 

Kevin breaks down what collaboration actually works, what he learned moving from top agencies to the client side, and a memorable “Snapple” mistake that sharpened his leadership skills. He explains how curiosity fuels ideas, why listening to franchisees and customers matters, and how Edible is evolving from “arrangements” to a broader gifting platform. We also discuss mentoring, the strengths and challenges of Gen Z, and developing genuine confidence in your speaking and leadership abilities.

Lawrence Montgomery joins co-host Karina Jimenez for a practical look at modern healthcare marketing. Lawrence, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Baptist Health, shares his 20+ year path from finance to healthcare and what it takes to lead marketing that moves people and the business. He explains why understanding consumer behavior, pairing emotion with data, and protecting human relationships are essential.

Lawrence clarifies where AI is helpful and where it should not be used, and closes with guidance for future marketers: sharpen critical thinking and strategy, keep the patient relationship at the center, and build long-term relationships that compound over a career.

Jason L’Odense, Chief Information Technology Officer at Global Medical Response, shares his 30-year journey from field tech to CITO across multiple industries. He explains why empowering teams, embracing failure, and managing risk are essential to leadership, and why mentorship and succession planning are critical for preparing the next generation. 

Jason reflects on the lessons learned from stepping into the C-suite, emphasizing the importance of curiosity and continuous learning, as well as how leaders can strike a balance between technical expertise and a people-first culture. He also discusses the realities of AI and shadow IT, the value of diverse perspectives, and why inclusivity must stay at the center of how technology serves organizations.

AI is transforming the workplace, and those who fail to learn it risk being left behind. John Shellenberger, CIO at Johns Manville, shares how curiosity, self-development, and a culture of learning drive long-term career success. He explains why being present in the workplace creates opportunities you cannot get remotely, how networking opens doors, and why focusing on results instead of titles matters at every stage. 

John also discusses the evolving role of the CIO, the importance of integrity and humility in leadership, and the art of delegating so others can grow. Whether you are early in your career or preparing for the C-suite, his insights offer a practical guide to staying relevant, building strong connections, and paying it forward.