In this episode of Soul of the CIO, Martin Gilliard, (Optierra, Ex-Meta, Barney’s, Microsoft) breaks down the future of retail and why physical stores are more important than ever. While many believe e-commerce has taken over, the reality is very different. Over 80% of transactions still happen in physical stores, and retailers are transforming those spaces into powerful data-driven engines.

We explore how modern retail brands are no longer just selling products. Instead, they are leveraging data, personalization, and omnichannel strategies to create better customer experiences, drive higher profits, and compete in a rapidly changing market.

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In this episode of Soul of the CIO, we sit down with Trevor Gordon from Save the Children to explore how technology, data, and AI are transforming the future of humanitarian work.

Trevor shares his journey from the private sector back into the nonprofit world—and how that full-circle moment shaped his perspective on leadership, innovation, and impact. From supporting frontline workers in high-risk environments to managing complex global IT infrastructure, he offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to deliver technology at scale for good.

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In this episode of Soul of the CIO, we sit down with Cassie Kozyrkov, globally recognized AI leader, statistician, and former Chief Decision Scientist at Google. Known for founding the field of Decision Intelligence, Cassie has helped some of the world’s largest organizations harness artificial intelligence, data science, and machine learning to drive smarter business outcomes. Join us as we explore how CIOs and technology executives can move beyond hype and turn AI strategy into measurable impact. Cassie shares practical insights on building data-driven cultures, improving executive decision-making, managing AI risk, and leading digital transformation with confidence.

Soul of the CIO is Sponsored by Nexthink, the leader in digital employee experience. Learn more: nexthink.com 

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What does it really take to become a CIO? Not a straight path. Not a perfect résumé. And definitely not privilege. In this episode of Soul of the CIO, David Germain shares one of the most honest leadership journeys we’ve ever recorded — from growing up in an underprivileged household with illiterate parents and no safety net… to becoming a Chief Information Officer at just 27 years old. But this isn’t a “success story.”

It’s a story about resilience, rejection, confidence, and redefining what winning actually means. David opens up about: Growing up without money, connections, or a roadmap Being told to “get a trade” just to survive Accidentally falling into tech as a computer operator Grinding through years of night exams and sacrifice Becoming a CIO before 30 Navigating bias, identity, and leadership pressure Why he stepped away from executive life to focus on purpose, family, and impact And the surprising life lesson he learned from a taxi driver about success

This conversation goes deeper than career advice — it’s about character, curiosity, and building a life you actually want. If you’re early in your IT career, aiming for the C-suite, or questioning what success really looks like… this one will stay with you.

Soul of the CIO is Sponsored by Nexthink, the leader in digital employee experience. Learn more: nexthink.com 

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What does it take to build a 30-year career across Nike, Mylan, and Estée Lauder — and still redefine success on your own terms? In this episode of Soul of the CIO, we sit down with former global CIO Michael Smith to explore his extraordinary journey from humanities major to technology leader at some of the world’s most iconic brands. From helping scale Nike from a $1B footwear company to a $25B global powerhouse, to leading digital transformation at Estée Lauder, Michael shares lessons on leadership, authenticity, and building trust at scale. We dive into: How Nike’s culture of trust accelerated decision-making and innovation The power of being a “T-shaped” leader in technology Building global e-commerce strategy from the ground up Using AI and digital platforms to drive consumer experience in beauty Why he stepped away from a dream CIO role to attend his son’s wrestling season What true success means after decades in the C-suite Michael also discusses his passion for impact — from investing in Northern Irish football club Carrick Rangers to founding TechPACT, a coalition of CIOs focused on expanding access to technology careers. This conversation is about more than digital transformation. It’s about legacy, leadership, and making a meaningful difference — in business and beyond. If you're a CIO, IT leader, aspiring technologist, or interested in digital strategy, executive leadership, or AI innovation, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss. Subscribe for more conversations with global technology leaders. Learn how digital leaders are shaping the future of enterprise.

Soul of the CIO is Sponsored by Nexthink, the leader in digital employee experience. Learn more: nexthink.com 

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What really happened in the hours before Russia invaded Ukraine — and how close did cyber warfare come to shutting a country down? In this episode of Soul of the CIO, we sit down with Sarah Armstrong-Smith, former Microsoft cybersecurity leader, to unpack one of the most significant cyber events in modern history. Just 12 hours before the physical invasion of Ukraine, Microsoft detected 300 simultaneous cyberattacks using destructive malware designed to cripple critical national infrastructure. Sarah takes us inside Microsoft’s unique vantage point during the lead-up to the invasion — from tracking nation-state threat actors and surging cybercrime during the pandemic, to the unprecedented decision to airlift Ukraine’s government data into the cloud days before missiles struck.

This conversation explores:

• How cyber warfare now precedes kinetic warfare
• Why cybercrime exploded during COVID-19 The rise of “cybercrime as a service” What Microsoft saw before the Ukraine invasion
• How private tech companies are now on the front lines of geopolitics
• Why future cyberattacks may lead to real-world casualties

It’s a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how global cyber defense, cloud infrastructure, and geopolitical conflict are now inseparably linked — and what every CIO and security leader needs to understand as cyber threats move from disruption to destruction.    

Soul of the CIO is Sponsored by Nexthink, the leader in digital employee experience. Learn more: nexthink.com 
Subscribe for more conversations with the leaders shaping the future of IT and technology. 
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In this episode of Soul of the CIO, we are joined by Sharon Prior, Chief Information Officer at Heathrow Airport, for an in-depth conversation on technology leadership at one of the world’s most complex and high-profile organizations. Sharon shares her perspective on the evolving role of the CIO, leading digital transformation at scale, and balancing innovation with resilience in a mission-critical, highly regulated environment. From modernizing legacy systems to building strong, purpose-driven technology teams, this episode explores what it truly takes to succeed as a senior technology leader today. This conversation is essential listening for CIOs, CTOs, IT leaders, and executives looking to navigate complexity, drive meaningful change, and lead with clarity and impact.  

Key topics discussed:  

• The role of the CIO in global infrastructure and aviation
• Digital transformation and enterprise technology strategy at Heathrow
• Leading large technology teams through constant change
• Cybersecurity, resilience, and operational excellence Culture, leadership, and the human side of technology  

Subscribe to the Soul of the CIO Podcast for more conversations with leading CIOs and technology executives from around the world.    

Soul of the CIO is Sponsored by Nexthink, the leader in digital employee experience. Learn more: nexthink.com. 
Subscribe for more conversations with the leaders shaping the future of IT and technology. 
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Michael Coates has had an extremely interesting work history and he's on Soul of the CIO to walk through it with us. From banks contracting him to hack their systems at just 21 to becoming the CISO of Twitter (before the banning of Trump), to now launching his own consultancy he knows security inside and out. He also offers his best advice on how individuals can keep their data safe.  

Soul of the CIO is Sponsored by Nexthink, the leader in digital employee experience. Learn more: nexthink.com 
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What does it take to break through the glass ceiling—and the paper ceiling—to become CIO of an iconic brand like Bentley Motors? In this episode of Soul of the CIO, host Tom welcomes Kirsty Mason, CIO of Bentley Motors, for a candid, deeply personal conversation about resilience, leadership, and carving an unconventional path to the top of IT.

From growing up in pubs in Derbyshire to leaving school at 15, navigating sexism in the workplace, becoming a young mother, and rising through IT without formal qualifications, Kirsty shares the defining moments that shaped her career. She reflects on the realities of the late ’80s and ’90s workplace, her “baptism of fire” into management, and the mentors who challenged her to see her own potential.

The conversation also explores what it means to lead technology at Bentley today—where handcrafted luxury meets advanced digital capability. Kirsty discusses aligning IT with business outcomes, building the right capabilities (not just buying tools), and approaching AI with intention, governance, and trust. This is a powerful episode about grit, growth, and leadership—with lessons for CIOs, aspiring leaders, and anyone building a career on their own terms.  

Soul of the CIO is Sponsored by Nexthink, the leader in digital employee experience. Learn more: nexthink.com 
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From comparing the modern CIO to a DJ who reads the room and sets the rhythm, to explaining why adoption matters more than installation, this wide-ranging conversation with Cummins CIO Earl Newsome explores what it truly means to lead technology in an era of continuous change. Earl dives into:

• Why the CIO’s role has evolved from “keeping the lights on” to shaping competitive advantage
• How AI will redefine industries—and why missing this trend is not an option
• The difference between episodic change and continuous transformation
• Why people, not technology, are the true source of value
• How leaders can build agility, anti-fragility, and resilience across their organizations
• Why AI will create more jobs than it eliminates

You’ll also hear Earl reflect on his own journey to the CIO role, the mentors who shaped his leadership style, and why belonging—not just diversity—is the key to unlocking discretionary effort and extraordinary outcomes. 🎧 Soul of the CIO is sponsored by Nexthink, the AI-powered digital employee experience platform helping IT leaders stay ahead of disruption through employee-centric AI and automation. Learn more at nexthink.com

Soul of the CIO is Sponsored by Nexthink, the leader in digital employee experience. Learn more: nexthink.com 
Subscribe for more conversations with the leaders shaping the future of IT and technology. 
Find the full in-studio video version on YouTube.