Speaking to Influence

Laura welcomes Senior Vice President of TD Bank, Chantal Capodicasa, to talk about how she found the courage to speak up in defense of her team and challenge a directive in a time of crisis.

In this episode you will learn:

• How Chantal challenges the misconceptions about ‘lenders’ at banks, and illustrates how they are more ‘relationship managers’ for bank clients.
• How Chantal’s family’s battle with cancer showed her how being vulnerable can leave space for her team to show up for her in ways she didn’t realize she needed
• How speaking up in a meeting, even when it’s just to ask a question or gain clarity, can benefit you and your team
• How storytelling in an interview can show you have the ‘It’ factor employers are looking for

24 Hour Challenge:

In your next meeting, if you’re usually one of the quiet participants, speak up! Ask a question, share a best practice, or encourage participation from other teammates.

About Chantal Capodicasa:

Chantal Capodicasa is a Senior Vice President for TD Bank, and is the Regional Vice President for Commercial Banking in Southern New Jersey.  Chantal began her career in banking with the former Wachovia Bank (now Wells Fargo) in 2004. Today she leads a team of dedicated commercial and small business relationship managers as well as customer sales associates who provide legendary experiences and trusted advice around all aspects of commercial financial needs to TD Bank customers throughout Burlington, Camden, and Mercer counties. Chantal is very active within the TD Bank internal team member networks, participating as a mentor for  the Take the L.E.A.D program which is aimed at developing and advancing women in TD's commercial bank, as a mentor for the Impact program, a mentor for the RVP development program, and a mentor for the Relationship Manager Associate program. She also serves on the internal Business Action Committee for the TD Bank and Project Search partnership which focuses on preparing young people with significant disabilities for success in competitive integrated employment and is also an advocate for the Military Spouse Employment Partnership and Veterans recruitment.

Chantal earned her BS in Finance from the University of Connecticut. She currently serves on the boards for the Burlington County Regional Chamber of Commerce, the YMCA of the Pines, the Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce (Treasurer) and the Medford Business Association (President). Most recently, Chantal is the recipient of the 2023 Outstanding Women's Business Executive honor from the Burlington County Regional Chamber of Commerce Voice of Business awards and was the 2022 Southern New Jersey Golf Classic Honoree for the Alzheimer's Association. Chantal is also active within the NJ State Veterans Chamber of Commerce, is a foster for the Burlington County Animal Alliance and has been an assistant coach for the Medford Youth Athletic Association track team.

Chantal's husband, Col Michael Capodicasa, is a veteran pilot and still serving with the USAFR today. Chantal and Michael live in Medford, NJ with their two sons.

You can connect with Chantal in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chantal-capodicasa-aab996a/

You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
• LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vocal-impact-productions/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions
• Facebook: Vocal Impact Productions
• Twitter: @LauraSicola
• Instagram: @VocalImpactProductions
• Website: https://speakingtoinfluence.com/podcast/
• Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

Our newest episode of Speaking to Influence features Charlie Saffro, CEO and Founder of CS Recruiting, who talks about the importance of resourcefulness and curiosity in a job interview, and how to do it by doing your research on social media and asking the right questions…and even shares what thos best questions are!

In this episode you will learn:

• How Charlie realized that she was better at being a leader than a manager and struggled when she had to manage a new team member, learning the importance of pacing herself, providing structure and context, and empathizing with her team member to ensure effective collaboration.
• Experiences with onboarding new employees and holding them accountable through recapping action items.
• How Charlie inspired her team and strengthened their trust in her as a leader by actions that aligned with her business values of inclusion and diversity when she ended a business relationship with a client who made discriminatory comments about an employee with an ostomy bag.
• The importance of sharing topics that stimulate one's passion and providing value to the audience when speaking publicly.
• The significance of resourcefulness and research in job interviews, highlighting how it can make a candidate stand out..and which questions are the best to leverage social media information!

24 Hour Challenge:

Think about the people in your life who make a difference. Who are two people who don’t know each other, who NEED to know each other? Make the introduction!

About Charlie Saffro:

Meet Charlie, a passionate recruitment expert and CEO of CS Recruiting, a thriving multi-million dollar organization with over 40 talented recruiters. With a mission to empower individuals to reach their potential, Charlie is a recognized Logistics industry expert serving clients from Fortune 50 companies to SMEs. Her focus on creating lasting connections extends to personal development, mindfulness, and supporting women in the workforce. Charlie, a proud mother of three, brings a wealth of experience and dedication to making meaningful connections to her work and beyond.

You can connect with Charlie in the following ways:

• Web: https://www.cs-recruiting.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charliesaffro/

You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
• LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vocal-impact-productions/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions
• Facebook: Vocal Impact Productions
• Twitter: @LauraSicola
• Instagram: @VocalImpactProductions
• Website: https://speakingtoinfluence.com/podcast/
• Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

Joining Laura on this week’s episode is Ossa Fisher, President of Aurora Innovation, where Ossa shares the multi-faceted pow rapport-building techniques to uncover the real problem and get people on board, resulting in enthusiastic participation.

In this episode you will learn:

• About the development of self-driving technology, the current use of autonomous vehicles on Texas roads, addressing concerns of regulators with safety measures and reassuring the public with real-life examples of how the technology enhances road safety.
• Ossa shared a personal experience of receiving urgent voicemails about her daughter's health, and how her team and CEO showed immense support and flexibility during that time, teaching Ossa the importance of caring for the human beyond the job, and inspiring her to pay it forward by supporting others in their personal crises.
• Tips for calming nerves during public speaking, such as touching fingers, imagining someone rooting for you, and remembering that the audience wants you to succeed.
• How Ossa came from a place of curiosity rather than assumption in investigating why local high school students seemed uninterested in participating in Yale Model Congress, and ended up recruiting 15 high school students who got the majority of their bills passed in the program, which helped influence her how to influence and engage people going forward.

24 Hour Challenge:

Next time you’re in a group setting, and there’s a lull in the conversation, try not to break the silence. Observe who is the first to break the silence and what insights you can glean from it. What did you learn from someone else that you might not have learned by jumping in to fill the silence?

About Ossa Fisher:

Ossa Fisher is the President of Aurora, a company focused on delivering the benefits of self-driving technology safety, quickly, and broadly. She brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in strategy, operations, and business functions that are foundational to her role at Aurora, where she is responsible for overseeing the development and maturation of the company’s commercial operations. Prior to Aurora, Ossa spent eight years as President & COO of Istation, a leading education technology provider, and two years as Senior Vice President of Strategy & Analytics at Match.

In addition, Ossa spent almost a decade at global consulting firm Bain & Co, ultimately serving as a Partner in the Technology, Media and Telecom practice.  She began her career as an investment banking analyst at Goldman Sachs. Ossa has been recognized by multiple organizations, including, “40 under 40” Corporate Directors to Watch by NACD (National Association for Corporate Directors); “Women in Technology” award from the Dallas Business Journal; “Dallas 500” by D CEO and “Future 50” by Dallas Innovates. She holds a bachelor’s in economics from Yale University, an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business, and a master’s in education from Stanford Graduate School of Education.

You can connect with Ossa in the following ways:

• Web: www.aurora.tech
• Careers at Aurora: www.aurora.tech/careers
• Aurora Tech’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/auroradriver/
• Aurora Tech’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/aurora_inno
• Ossa Fisher’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ossa-fisher/
• Ossa Fisher’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/ossaf

You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
• LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vocal-impact-productions/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions
• Facebook: Vocal Impact Productions
• Twitter: @LauraSicola
• Instagram: @VocalImpactProductions
• Website: https://speakingtoinfluence.com/podcast/
• Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

This week’s episode of Speaking to Influence is with guest Erik Ryan, Senior Vice President and CFO of Iron Mountain, in a conversation that focuses on the power of ‘no’.

In this episode you will learn:

• About a time Erik found himself in a conversation with Prince Edward where he tried to prove himself but ended up in a ridiculous argument about the similarities between different islands…leading him to learn a lesson of how to meet others where they were, avoid tangential conversations, and steer them back on track.
• Erik’s experiences of initially struggling with saying no but eventually finding it freeing and empowering.
• How he embraced a moment of being vulnerable with a coworker and came to the realization that most people are looking to forge these deeper connections, aiming not to shy away from them in the future.
• How he motivated his team by using their own successes as persuasive data.

24 Hour Challenge:

Say ‘no’ to requests for 24 hours to understand your values and prioritize effectively.

About Erik Ryan:

Erik Ryan is the Finance leader Iron Mountain's Global Records & Information Management business. Erik joined Iron Mountain after 19 years with General Electric, where he was focused on long-cycle product line financial management - partnering with teams to drive margin, cash, and improve the commercial position of franchise products such as the T700 rotorcraft engine, GEnx jet engine, and HA-class gas turbine. Erik holds board and advisory roles with small businesses and nonprofits focused on social impact.

Outside of work, Erik spends time with his wife Susan and two daughters, Adelaide and Hazel. Erik holds a B.A. in Economics and Political Science from Wake Forest University and an MBA from Yale University, with a focus on sustainable business development.

You can connect with Erik in the following ways:

• Web: https://www.ironmountain.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/iron-mountain/

You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
• LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vocal-impact-productions/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions
• Facebook: Vocal Impact Productions
• Twitter: @LauraSicola
• Instagram: @VocalImpactProductions
• Website: https://speakingtoinfluence.com/podcast/
• Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

Laura sits down with Mary Ellen Harris, Chief Human Resources Officer at Kreischer Miller, to discuss how she is shifting the paradigm on aspects of corporate culture to one valuing vulnerability and integrity in the workplace to champion employees with a culture of respect.

In this episode you will learn:

• How Mary Ellen aims to change the misconceptions about the HR function and her personal role in treating people with respect and engaging in open dialogue, sharing an example of how they shifted from disciplinary actions to having respectful conversations and co-creating a pathway to success, which resulted in positive outcomes for an employee.
• Her experience of undergoing brain surgery and how opening up about her insecurities deepened her relationships with others, personally and professionally.
• How Mary learned the importance of integrity through sharing a story about refusing to lay off employees on Christmas Eve and standing up for her moral values, ultimately deciding not to work for someone she couldn't respect.
• How Mary found the balance between establishing authority and acknowledging limitations, seeking out feedback from an honest sounding board, and sharing examples of her success and expertise while also acknowledging that she doesn't know everything, which in turn helped to build rapport with the audience.

24 Hour Challenge:

Identify a book that you’ve had on your list..and just start!

About Mary Ellen Harris:

Mary Ellen has over 30 years of professional experience providing strategic human resources leadership to a variety of businesses. She is regarded as an expert in the areas of leadership, talent acquisition, employee relations, talent development, talent retention, change management, and company culture enhancement. Mary Ellen subscribes to the Servant Leader philosophy; she actively engages in mentoring, coaching and encouraging others. Mary Ellen is an advocate for communication access for the deaf and hard of hearing community and is a leader on the firm’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Council as well as its women’s network, RISE (Retaining, Investing in, Supporting, and Empowering the Women of Kreischer Miller).

Mary Ellen joined Kreischer Miller in 1999. Prior to working for Kreischer Miller, Mary Ellen was the Vice President of Human Resources at a mid-sized software development company headquartered in Fort Washington, PA, where her responsibilities included talent acquisition, talent development, and talent retention as well as providing executive leadership for the organization.

You can connect with Mary Ellen in the following ways:

• Web: www.kmco.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kreischer-miller.
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KreischerMiller
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kreischermiller/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/KreischerMiller

You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
• LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vocal-impact-productions/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions
• Facebook: Vocal Impact Productions
• Twitter: @LauraSicola
• Instagram: @VocalImpactProductions
• Website: https://speakingtoinfluence.com/podcast/
• Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

Laura is joined this week by Laura Liotta, President of Sam Brown Healthcare and Communications Agency, where they discuss misconceptions of healthcare PR and the importance of authenticity in communication with clients, patients, and the team.

In this episode you will learn:

• About misconceptions surrounding PR and celebrities using medical options in the healthcare industry.
• The importance of collaborative agency-client relationships and how the client's influence sets the tone for the company.
• Laura’s experiences in the 90s working in the pharmaceutical industry during the HIV/AIDS epidemic and how it inspired her of the importance of incorporating patient voices in healthcare communications.
• The importance of confidence, which comes from expertise and experience, but for that ‘IT’ factor in interviews.
• And as an added bonus…Learn about the fun activities her team engages in, such as pre-presentation rituals and annual retreats, to foster camaraderie and teamwork.

24 Hour Challenge:

Curate your social media feeds to control how you are influenced. Follow positive thought leaders such as Mel Robbins, Oprah, Tony Robbins, Simon Sinek, and Brene Brown.

About Laura Liotta:

Laura Liotta is the President of Sam Brown Inc. Healthcare Communications, which she founded in 1999. She is an accomplished healthcare public relations and corporate communications executive with 35 years of experience supporting all sectors of the healthcare industry.

Sam Brown Inc. is a fiercely independent, mid-size agency with deep expertise and experience helping a wide range of early- to late-stage biotechnology and pharmaceutical clients communicate their value through all phases of development and direct to patients. The agency has helped numerous public and private companies tell their story creatively and strategically through analytics, public and media relations, outstanding creative services, and digital and social media within the life sciences space.

Laura is an experienced and well-respected media and presentation trainer to a variety of spokespeople, including CEOs and executive leadership teams, Board members, Scientists, KOLs, Advocacy, Celebrities and Patients. Laura started her public relations and public affairs career at DuPont Merck, Nexell Therapeutics and Smithkline Beecham. She is a graduate of Rowan University with a BA in Communications with Public Relations specialty. She lives in Villanova, Pennsylvania, is most proud of her 3 children and the Sam Brown team.

Link talked about on the podcast:

• "Da Butt" by E.U. (Experience Unlimited): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FShE0VifCYs

You can connect with Laura Liotta in the following ways:

• Web: www.sambrown.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraliotta/

You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
• LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vocal-impact-productions/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions
• Facebook: Vocal Impact Productions
• Twitter: @LauraSicola
• Instagram: @VocalImpactProductions
• Website: https://speakingtoinfluence.com/podcast/
• Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

This week,Chris Hall, Chairman and Co-Founder of Stacuity Ltd. describes the
challenges of being a small startup grappling with geographical bias in the tech industry,
and the need to convince others of their credibility in spite of these biases.

In this episode you will learn:

• How they are trying to change the perception of the industry by offering a better
  and more efficient network specifically designed for IoT.
• The importance of storytelling and the power of asserting oneself in a
  conversation.

Chris shared his experience of convincing skeptical, traditional telecom engineers about the significance of embracing the internet, which ultimately led to successful implementation and adoption.

24 Hour Challenge:

Chris also challenged the listeners to practice concise communication in their own
presentations, emails, and conversations - whatever you are composing, try to cut it in
half!

About Chris Hall:
Chris has worked in the telecommunications sector since graduating from Cambridge
University in 1984. He has held senior roles for British Telecom and O2 in the UK and
Europe, before moving to the Isle of Man in 1999 to become CEO of Manx Telecom.

In 2000, he led a ground-breaking project to build and launch Europe’s first commercial
3G mobile network. The 3G showcase generated a huge amount of interest from the
industry, media and customers and generated valuable learning and insight for Manx
Telecoms parent company, O2 which was used to shape their 3G rollout plans in the UK
and Europe.

In 2011 he returned to his entrepreneurial roots. He is an active angel investor with a
portfolio of investments in early-stage technology start-ups and is co-founder and
chairman at Stacuity Limited, a new venture providing programmable IoT connectivity.

He is also a Board member/advisor for companies across various sectors and is
Chairman of Hospice Isle of Man.

You can connect with Chris in the following ways:

• Web: www.stacuity.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrishallcando/

You can connect with Laura in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
• LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vocal-impact-productions/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions
• Facebook: Vocal Impact Productions
• Twitter: @LauraSicola
• Instagram: @VocalImpactProductions
• Website: https://speakingtoinfluence.com/podcast/
• Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

This week, Matt Kraft, COO of Mosaic Learning, discusses how he rallied his team through a 17-hour marathon to overcome a total system collapse in the 11th hour before the very first earnings call for their new CEO.

In this episode you will learn:

• The challenges of e-learning platforms and the need for more immersive and connected learning experiences.
• The potential applications of AI in everyday life, such as using it to manage children's activities and schedules.
• Why Matt discarded his past approach of appearing older and more stoic, and instead embraced prioritizing connection.
• How Matt and his team faced a major crisis when their system experienced a quadruple raid failure, and despite the odds, Matthew motivated his team and worked tirelessly to restore the system, ultimately achieving a successful outcome and minimal data loss.

24 Hour Challenge:

• Matt challenges listeners to come up with novel ideas on how AI can fundamentally improve their lives and organizations, and share them on LinkedIn.

About Matt Kraft :

With a career spanning more than 2.5 decades and billions in enterprise value creation, Matthew Kraft believes in the power of harnessing technology to drive ecosystem change.  Matthew presently serves as the Chief Operating Officer of Mosaic Learning, Inc, the leading provider of eLearning Platforms to the Union and Member Trade Organizations.  Prior to joining Mosaic Learning, Matthew served in Executive Capacities for Bonterra, Inc. (acquired by Apax Partners), StraighterLine, Inc, (acquired by BV Investment Partners), and Crawford Media Services, Inc. Prior to Crawford, Matthew served in Management Positions with Advertising.com/Aol (acquired by Apollo Global) and Web.com (acquired by Clearlake Capital.) Previous to that, he served in various capacities for J/K Foods, Inc. and its Affiliates in North Dakota.

 In 2012, Matthew successfully merged J/K Foods with an entity primarily controlled by Coborn’s, Inc. of St. Cloud, MN.  Matthew graduated from Vista Equity Partners' High Potential Executive Leadership Program in 2017. He is a prior recipient of the Education 2.0 Leadership Awards, along with Business Man of the Year (GA.) Matthew attended the University of Washington and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Georgia State University in 2005.  He appeared as a nerdy student in 2003’s Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd

You can connect with Matt in the following ways:

• Web: https://combobulate.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mkraft2/
• Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mosaiclearning/

You can connect with Laura in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
• LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vocal-impact-productions/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions
• Facebook: Vocal Impact Productions
• Twitter: @LauraSicola
• Instagram: @VocalImpactProductions
• Website: https://speakingtoinfluence.com/podcast/
• Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

On this week’s episode we are honored to have Dr. Richard Santiago, CFO of the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM) who shares how he had to become a change agent in order to implement massive digital transformation across more than one hundred locations around the world that absolutely could not afford to fail.

In this episode you will learn:

• How he overcame the challenges of addressing a diverse audience of leaders and individual contributors that would eventually lead to a team with better decision-making skills
• The importance of surrounding yourself with subject-matter experts
• How he gave his team more autonomy through honest and positive leadership, resulting in a huge, and successful, transition

24 Hour Challenge:

Ask three people for feedback on your communication effectiveness.

About Dr. Richard Santiago:

Dr. Richard Santiago was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He is a bicultural leader who  has internalized the cultures from both Puerto Rico and the United States (US). He holds a PhD in  Business Management with specialization in Leadership from Capella University; and a  MSA with specialization in Leadership from Central Michigan University.

Dr. Santiago has over 33 years of leadership experience. He is currently the Director of  Global Finance Operations / Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at the US Army Intelligence  and Security Command (INSCOM) while supporting global intelligence and security  operations. He is also  the Vice President of Education at Prospanica DC as well as the Founder of the  Bicultural Leadership Coach, LLC. From 2009 to 2010, he served as the President of  the American Society of Military Comptrollers (ASMC), Mount Vernon Chapter.

Dr. Santiago retired from the Army in 2015 as a Lieutenant Colonel after 25 years of  active service. During his time in the military, he served with the Chairman of the Joint  Chiefs of Staff (CJCS), Multi-National Forces, and North Atlantic Treaty Organization  (NATO) partners. For over 10 years, he worked in multicultural environments abroad in  locations such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Bosnia, and Hungary,  among others. Some of his job assignments included: (a) Commander for Finance  Operations in support of Multi-National Forces, Baghdad, Iraq; (b), Fund Manager in  support of NATO, Kabul, Afghanistan; (c) Finance & Accounting Officer and Liaison  Officer to the Saudi American Bank, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; and (d) Defense Resource  Manager in the Joint Staff, the Pentagon, Washington, DC. 

You can connect with Dr. Richard Santiago in the following ways:

• Web: https://biculturalcoach.com/about
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardsantiago1/

You can connect with Laura in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
• LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vocal-impact-productions/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions
• Facebook: Vocal Impact Productions
• Twitter: @LauraSicola
• Instagram: @VocalImpactProductions
• Website: https://speakingtoinfluence.com/podcast/
• Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

Joining Laura this week is Smitha Murthy, CEO of Beagle Security. Smitha shares the steps she took to build rapport with key decision makers early in her career in order to be recognized as someone truly ready for a leadership role.

In this episode you will learn:

• How Smitha helped build a collective community to mentor other women towards promotion in male-dominated industries.
• How she bucked the tradition of leadership silence during a period of chaotic uncertainty and instead encouraged open conversation with her team when change was inevitable.
• How Smitha asserted herself during the implementation of a new team into existing company processes and used qualitative data to prove to her teammates that she was leading them towards winning.
• Why technical qualifications alone are not enough, and how taking initiative and overcoming inhibitions can lead to growth opportunities.

24 Hour Challenge:

Think back on your life and enumerate all the people who have had an impact on your life (both positive and negative) and how that has shaped your leadership style. Are you actively leading the way you would want to? If not, how can you recalibrate?

About Smitha Murthy:

Smitha has 27+ years of industry experience as a Product Management Executive and General Manager and currently holds the position as the CEO of Beagle Security - an automated AI-driven comprehensive penetration testing platform. With expertise in driving innovative customer experiences through Data Science and Analytics and Digital Transformation, she has a successful track record of managing and growing multi-million-dollar product lines and P&L, commercializing digital products from concept to launch for multiple organizations in the Silicon Valley. 

Before taking on the role as CEO at Beagle Security she was the VP of Product and Portfolio Management at Oracle Health. Smitha has previously worked at McAfee, CA Technologies, NetApp, ADP and Axtria, bringing a unique blend of expertise in growing startups & enterprises alike. She also acts as an advisor for multiple startups.

Smitha was shortlisted for the “Digital Leader of the Year Award” by Women in IT Awards Series in 2020. She served as an executive sponsor for Oracle’s Professional Asian Leadership, a Board Member for Axtria Women’s Network and previously was part of ADP’s Women in Leadership.

You can connect with Smitha in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smithamurthy
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/SmithaMurthyRao
• Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beaglesecurity
• Company Twitter: https://twitter.com/beaglesecure
• Website: https://www.beaglesecurity.com

You can connect with Laura in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
• LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vocal-impact-productions/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions
• Facebook: Vocal Impact Productions
• Twitter: @LauraSicola
• Instagram: @VocalImpactProductions
• Website: https://speakingtoinfluence.com/podcast/
• Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today