Ekaterina Curry is a global operations leader. As the Managing Director and Head of Operations at Millennial Specialty Insurance, she is passionate about uncovering value in operations ‘engine room’ teams. She transforms support teams to high impact business partners who improve margin and enable growth.

Previously managing a global team of 240 operations specialists and editors in 22 countries, Ekaterina specializes in leading global teams with a focus on millennials and Gen-Z. Listen to her story as it began in Bulgaria during the collapse of communism, leading her to arrive in the U.S. with a suitcase and a dream. She’s had quite the ride!

In this episode, we discuss:

- The impact of change in leadership

- Balancing tactical and strategic thinking

- Reflection and learning from mistakes

- The value of reverse mentorship

You can find Ekaterina on LinkedIn.

🎙️ Check out the podcast at secret-ops.com

🤓 Learn more about Ariana Cofone at arianacofone.com

📧 Email us at [email protected]

Produced by Fina Charleson

As 2023 comes to an end, we wanted to thank you! For listening, sharing and helping to make Secret Ops a reality. Since we launched in November 2022, we've...

• Published 27 episodes with experts from across industries
• Had thousands of listeners from 38 countries tune in
• Launched the Secret Ops website, store, newsletter, and Youtube channel.

As the holidays approach, we will be taking a brief break, returning in the new year on January 3.

In the meantime, please subscribe to our monthly newsletter. We’ve been working behind the scenes on something special that subscribers will get access to first.

Have a very happy holiday and we will see you in 2024!

🎙️ Check out the podcast at secret-ops.com

🤓 Learn more about Ariana Cofone at arianacofone.com

📧 Email us at [email protected]

On this episode of Secret Ops 🎙️, we chat with Amy Kalnoki COO and Co-Founder of Bitwave, a software platform that provides cryptocurrency accounting, tax tracking, bookkeeping, DeFi ROI monitoring, and crypto AR/AP services for enterprise businesses.

We dive into Amy's experience as a serial entrepreneur and technology industry veteran with expertise in enterprise software sales, accounting, and cryptocurrencies. She also her passion about cryptocurrency and the potential for blockchain technology to change the world.

In this episode, we discuss:

- Challenges of operating in the digital asset accounting space

- Discovering Bitcoin and its potential

- The evolving nature of digital assets

- Staying organized in operations

🎙️ Check out the podcast at secret-ops.com

🤓 Learn more about Ariana Cofone at arianacofone.com

📧 Email us at [email protected]

Produced by Fina Charleson

Zach Rattner is the Chief Technology Officer and co-founder at Yembo. In this episode we dive into the many ways AI can solve real-world issues, like providing accurate quotes for home and office moves. Zach opens up about his career path, including his time at Qualcomm and his journey to starting Yembo. He emphasizes the value of feedback, cultivating a culture of constant growth, and embracing failure.

In this episode we discuss:

• Using AI to Solve Complex Problems
• Optimizing workflow with global teams
• Creating a culture of feedback
• De-risking and engineering risk in entrepreneurship

Check out his book, Grow Up Fast where Zach explores the thrilling highs and lows of an AI startup journey.

Learn more about my work at arianacofone.com or drop me a line at [email protected]!

Ty Givens is an accomplished trailblazer in the customer experience industry. With over 20 years of  experience, Ty has earned a reputation as an exceptional leader and CX visionary as the founder and CEO of CX Collective. In this episode Ty shares how her background in customer service and workforce management led her to start her own company. Tune in to learn how she has revolutionized the way contact centers interact and engage with customers by providing organizations with tailor-made solutions.

In this episode we discuss:

• Challenges of managing a call center
• Starting CX Collective
• Customer service versus customer experience
• The process of change and improvement
• Importance of good customer experience

You can find Ty on LinkedIn

Learn more about my work at arianacofone.com or drop me a line at [email protected]!

Produced by Fina Charleson

Aušrinė Keršanskaitė is a seasoned operations leader and a driving force behind Operations Nation, a community-powered knowledge hub that connects and empowers hundreds of operations leaders globally.

Aušrinė is also Head of Operations at Reframe Technologies, a company rethinking our approach to work. With over a decade of hands-on experience navigating the unique challenges of early-stage companies, she has played an instrumental role in guiding startups through their evolutionary journey from pre-seed stages to series B.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Recognizing the need for Operations Nation
• Managing people in operations
• The importance of adaptable processes
• The value of mentoring
• The power of proactive thinking in operations

You can find Aušrinė Keršanskaitė on her LinkedIn

Check Out Operations Nation, the safe space for operations professionals to share advice and "ops war stories" to help each other survive, grow, and thrive in their careers.

Learn more about my work at arianacofone.com or drop me a line at [email protected]!

Produced by Fina Charleson

#operations #secretops #OperationsNation #InternationalOpsFestival

Gareth Evans is s a leader and disruptor in the energy industry. As the CEO of Veckta, he committed to find solutions that create profitable and sustainable energy outcomes such that we can all thrive. His time in Iraq following the gulf war opened his eyes to a world without access to reliable energy and other basic essentials needed to survive. Tune in to learn about his mission of empowering businesses and communities to make the global transition towards a more affordable, secure and renewable energy future.

In this episode we discuss:

• Importance of education in the energy transition
• Placing decision-makers in control
• Simplifying the Complexities of the Energy Sector
• Challenges in the energy industry
• Gareth's vision for the energy industry

You can find Gareth on his website.

Listen to Veckta's podcast: Renewable Rides

Learn more about my work at arianacofone.com or drop me a line at [email protected] or drop me a line at [email protected]!

Produced by Fina Charleson

Lauren Lea is an expert when it comes to managing businesses in the online space. As CEO and founder of OBM Associates, she explores the world of Online Business Management and her special approach when partnering with business owners to achieve sustainable growth through high-level management.

After discovering what it actually takes to be an extraordinary OBM, her work steered toward a passion for teaching, supporting like-minded OBMs and launching her second business, OBM Associates®

In this episode we discuss:

• Role of an Online Business Manager 
• Difference between an OBM and a COO
• Implementing processes and automation
• Power of processes in business
• Discipline and self-motivation
• Signs you might need to hire an Online Business Manager

You can find Lauren on her website

Learn more about my work at arianacofone.com or drop me a line at [email protected]! 

Produced by Fina Charleson

As a self-proclaimed ‘Swiss Army Knife’ of executive functions, Joe Aurilia has served at the executive level across diverse departments. He is currently the Senior Vice President of Operations for Cyware, an automated alert aggregation and advisory sharing platform designed to drive real-time situational awareness.

In this episode we discuss:

• The power of working in a range of different job roles
• Advice for non-technical individuals when approaching new technology
• How to quantify what a tool can actually do for you
• How to best communicate the importance of operational initiatives
• … and what do people mostly get wrong about operations?

You can find Joe on LinkedIn

Learn more about my work at arianacofone.com or drop me a line at [email protected]!

Produced by Fina Charleson

Ghazaleh Youshani is a seasoned operator in the financial and startup world. Ghazaleh brings a wealth of experience as a managing director, head of operations, and chief operating officer. Tune in as we unpack being a woman in a male-dominated industry, promoting inclusive workplaces and what motivates her career ambitions. 

In this episode we discuss:

• Advice for women pursuing careers in finance and operations
• The importance of education and training
• The type of soft skills and mindset that are crucial for success
• Working in hedge funds vs investment banks
• Succeeding in male-dominated industries

You can find Ghazaleh on LinkedIn

Learn more about my work at arianacofone.com or drop me a line at [email protected]! 

Produced by Fina Charleson