Spikes Excitement Talks

Dicla Veliz Salce, Global Brand Director for IO Women’s Cancer at AstraZeneca, joins Gordon for a deeply thoughtful conversation about purpose, oncology, behavioral science and why innovation only matters when it changes real lives.

From starting in pharma sales “by accident” in Mexico to shaping global oncology strategy, Dicla shares how understanding human behavior has become just as important as understanding science. 

Tune in for a conversation that explores the future of cancer care, the meaning of well-being and why marketing must move beyond products to truly understand human experience.

Matthew Leppanen, Director of Marketing Enablement & Partnerships at Bell, joins Gordon for a conversation about AI, transformation, leadership and why the biggest career opportunities often live in the undefined spaces.

From the rise of mobile internet to today’s AI boom, Matthew shares what makes this technological shift different  and why leaders should actively “fill the gaps” instead of waiting for permission. 

Tune in to know more about mentorship, career growth, risk-taking and the lasting impact of leadership.

Julie Jackson-Jones is Director of Marketing CRM Loyalty & Analytics at EssilorLuxottica, where she works across more than 25 brands shaping customer experience, loyalty and patient journeys. Before that, she built her career across industries including luxury fashion, music, logistics and retail with roles at Bulgari, Robert Graham Designs and more. Her unconventional path — from selling subscriptions door-to-door in New York during the financial crisis to leading CRM strategy for global luxury brands — has given her a uniquely human lens on marketing, leadership and customer behaviour.
Julie shares why loyalty is ultimately about belonging, how shame and desire shape consumer behaviour and why the future belongs to marketers who deeply understand human psychology. The conversation moves from career setbacks and imposter syndrome to vulnerability in leadership, emotional intelligence in CRM and embracing uncertainty in a rapidly changing world.

Tune in for a deep dive into customer psychology, career reinvention and why the strongest brands are built one human interaction at a time.

In this epsiode, Tara King, Senior Director of North America Brand & Portfolio Strategy for Bombay Sapphire at Bacardi, talks about the course of her career and how she has helped shape globally recognised beverage brands across Diageo, Vita Coco and Richmond Marketing — building brands through cultural relevance, emotional resonance and instinct-led strategy. Originally from Ireland and now based in the US, Tara brings a uniquely human perspective to modern marketing: one rooted less in noise and more in meaning.

She explores how brands can earn relevance not through louder messaging but through culture, moments and human insight. From moving to New York with no job and no visa, to shaping award-winning campaigns in the spirits industry, she shares her perspective on leadership, creativity, AI and the future of brand building.

Tune in for a conversation about instinct, cultural fluency, emotional relevance and why the future of marketing belongs to brands that create meaning.

In this episode Ralitza Iordanova, Global VP, Brand Marketing at Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, reflects on what luxury really means today, why hospitality is ultimately about human emotion, and how the future of brands may shift from aspiration to restoration. From leading iconic hotel transformations across cultures to designing experiences that help people regulate their nervous systems, this conversation explores the intersection of luxury, wellbeing, culture and human connection.

Tune in to get insights on luxury hospitality, emotional connection and why the future of wellness is about helping people slow down, reconnect and truly feel cared for.

In this episode, Saurav Mohanty, Head of Digital Products & Technology at Yum! Brands Europe, shares a remarkable journey from growing up in rural India to leading digital innovation across global brands. He reflects on how curiosity sparked his path into technology, why product thinking sits at the intersection of business and engineering and what it takes to stay grounded in a fast-moving digital world. With previous roles at EF Education First, Nestlé, IBM, and Accenture, he brings a unique blend of engineering expertise and business acumen. A Harvard MBA graduate, Saurav is passionate about using technology to create meaningful impact—especially in fostering community and supporting future generations in an AI-driven world.Looking ahead, Saurav explores the role of AI in shaping society and why building real human connection and opportunity should be at the heart of it.

Tune in to hear how curiosity, resilience and big thinking can turn humble beginnings into a global career in digital innovation and why the future of tech must stay deeply human.

In this episode, Billy Cheng, Head of Consumer Data Activation & CRM at L’Oréal, shares how global experience across Asia, Europe and the US has shaped his approach to consumer data and brand relationships. With experience spanning companies like AS Watson and Reckitt, he has built deep expertise in managing large-scale consumer databases, designing CRM strategies and driving innovation across diverse markets. Billy is focused on developing a broader leadership perspective that bridges data, marketing, and business strategy. From managing databases of over 100 million consumers to driving innovation in CRM and beauty tech, Billy explains why the future isn’t just about more data but better trust. He explores the balance between rapid AI-driven innovation and strong governance and why brands that master both will win in the long run.

Tune in to discover how data, governance and innovation come together to build meaningful consumer experiences at scale.

In this episode, Gordon sits down with Linda Bethea, Senior marketing executive and former Chief Marketing Officer at Danone with leadership experience at companies like Diageo and PepsiCo. Linda has spent her career building and transforming major consumer brands, combining deep consumer insight with sharp business acumen. Beyond her corporate roles, she also serves as a board director for Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley.
Linda shares her unconventional journey from studying psychology to leading iconic brands across food, beverage and beyond. She breaks down why great marketing is about far more than ads, how to truly understand consumers and what it takes to turn around a struggling brand. From reinventing Captain Morgan to navigating the future of AI-driven marketing, Linda offers a candid, experience-rich perspective on building brands that matter—and last.

Tune in to learn how world-class brands grow beyond advertising and what it really takes to win in today’s fast-changing marketing landscape.

In this episode of Excitement Talks, Sandra Peat speaks with Burcu Sahin, Director of Global Marketing for Portfolio Strategic Initiatives at Mars, about a career driven by curiosity, culture and a deep understanding of people.

From starting out in investment banking to discovering her passion for behavioural economics and strategic planning, Burcu shares how a non-linear path led her to global brand building. She reflects on pivotal moments—from navigating visa setbacks that turned into global opportunities to shaping transformative growth strategies for iconic brands.

The conversation explores what it really takes to build brands in today’s world: understanding evolving consumer values, connecting with new generations and rethinking marketing in a more human, collaborative and culturally relevant way.

Tune in to understand better why the future of brand building is about deeply understanding people and co-creating with them.

In this episode, Maik Hofmann sits down with Eugene Lee, Vice President, CMO APAC at CHAGEE, to explore a marketing career shaped by music, emotion and real human connection. From growing up in Malaysia with dreams of becoming a rockstar to leading campaigns for global brands like McDonald’s, Eugene shares how creativity, culture and customer obsession define his approach.

This conversation dives deep into the power of emotional marketing—from a little girl’s reaction to a pink Coke glass to building challenger campaigns that disrupt entire categories. Eugene also reflects on leadership, humility and the art of scaling personal connections in a global business.

Tune in to find out why the most powerful marketing doesn’t just inform, it creates emotional moments people never forget.