In this episode of The Executive Room, Kimberly Afonso sits down with Jordan Levy, EdTech entrepreneur, Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, and Founder & CEO of CapSource, to explore how experiential learning is reshaping higher education and early career hiring.
Jordan shares how CapSource has connected more than 25,000 students with 3,000+ industry partners across 150 universities through project-based learning, case-based programs, and mentoring-driven experiences. His mission: close the skills gap and ensure students graduate workforce-ready.
The conversation dives into:
- What experiential learning really means and why it’s critical for career readiness
- How industry-integrated education improves hiring outcomes and employee retention
- Why AI is forcing a complete rethink of how we assess learning
- How universities must evolve to remain relevant in the age of personalized AI-driven learning
Jordan also shares his entrepreneurial journey, how he pivoted away from a traditional path, and why he believes industry partnerships are the future of scalable, high-impact education.
If you care about the future of higher education or the impact of AI on learning, this episode is a must-listen. 

In this episode of The Executive Room, our CEO and podcast host, Kimberly Afonso, sits down with Ed Macha, Founder & CEO of Reliable Controls, to explore one of the most important—and often overlooked—realities of the clean energy transition: without mining and metals, there is no future for technology, electrification, or sustainability.

Ed shares his 26-year journey building a global industrial automation company and explains why the world will need to more than double copper production in the coming decades to support innovation and growth. He discusses the regulatory, workforce, water, and geopolitical challenges—and the opportunities they present for smarter planning, stronger collaboration, and responsible expansion. He also addresses the disconnect between ambitious climate goals and material realities, and how leaders can thoughtfully balance innovation with accountability.

The conversation covers everything from the copper supply challenge to the future of mining, the role of AI as a force multiplier, and why leaders have both the platform and the responsibility to speak up.

This episode is for leaders in energy, mining, sustainability, infrastructure, and technology, as well as anyone interested in the real systems that power modern life.

Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

In this episode of The Executive Room, host Kimberly Afonso sits down with Adam McGraw, executive coach, keynote speaker, and Co-Founder & CEO of CREW, a private community for senior executives focused on purpose, connection, and fulfillment.

Adam shares why traditional definitions of success no longer hold up. Drawing on his experience coaching over 500 senior executives, his entrepreneurial journey, establishing CREW, and his work with Positive Intelligence, Adam explains how leaders can build resilience, regulate stress, and lead with authenticity in today’s world.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Why high-performing executives often struggle with fulfillment, regardless of title or compensation

• How leaders can be intentional about the careers they’re building, and the legacy they will leave behind

• How community and peer support help leaders navigate the second half of their careers

• The difference between networking and a true leadership community

• How leaders can recover faster from stress and stay grounded amid constant change

• The demands of modern leadership in the age of AI and uncertainty
  

This episode is a must-listen for CEOs, founders, and senior executives who are rethinking success, reputation, identity, and what truly matters in the long term.

In this episode of The Executive Room, host Kimberly Afonso (CEO & Founder, KA Consulting Group) sits down with Ashish Saxena, Chief Growth Officer at CoreStack, to explore how leaders can drive sustainable growth amid constant disruption.

Ashish shares his highlights from 2025, including stepping outside his comfort zone, advising private equity firms on technology investments, publishing his new book The Growth Mandate: Leadership in an Exponential World, and stepping into his new role leading growth at CoreStack, an AI-powered cloud governance and security company.

We discuss:

• How to operationalize a growth mindset through vision, strategy, execution, and customer centricity
• The leadership shift required to restructure your business for AI
• How CoreStack applies AI for productivity, product innovation, FinOps, CloudOps, and SecOps
• Why visibility matters and practical advice for leaders to build thought leadership
• How The Growth Mandate offers a manual for leaders with exercises and seven leadership levers.
• The questions every leader should ask about growth, technology, community, and legacy

If you’re a CEO, founder, or growth leader navigating AI and transformation, this episode offers practical insights on how to align purpose with performance and build growth that lasts.

In this episode of The Executive Room, host Kimberly Afonso, CEO & Founder of The KA Consulting Group, sits down with Mark Walker, serial entrepreneur and CEO of Nue, to explore leadership, strategy, and building companies during AI-driven disruption.

With over 30 years of experience scaling SaaS, CRM, and ERP businesses, Mark shares how curiosity, not career planning, has shaped his journey from law to enterprise software. He explains why traditional three-year strategic plans no longer work, how AI is forcing leaders to rethink execution cycles, and what it truly means to lead high-performing teams through uncertainty.

In this conversation, we cover:

• Why “it’s never about the money.”
• Why leaders must re-evaluate strategy every 3–6 months in today’s AI-driven landscape
• What CEOs still underestimate about AI’s impact
• Loving the work is non-negotiable as a leader.

This episode is a must-listen for CEOs and founders navigating growth, AI adoption, and organizational change.

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In this episode of The Executive Room, host Kimberly Afonso, CEO & Founder of The KA Consulting Group, sits down with Charles “Chuck” Bender, CEO of Skynet Broadband and Attentus Technologies.

Chuck’s journey is anything but linear. From growing up in poverty to serving in the U.S. Navy to building two thriving companies by solving real problems in rural communities, his story is a masterclass in purpose-driven leadership.

We explore:

• How the idea of Skynet Broadband emerged from a real need
• The accidental birth of Attentus Technologies and learning to lead two companies at once
• His people-first philosophy
• The real role of AI in IT services, what will be replaced, and what can never be
• Lessons from 25 years in Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO)
• His views on entrepreneurship, authenticity, vulnerability, and transparency in leadership

Tune in for an episode packed with wisdom and real-world leadership lessons.

In this episode of The Executive Room, host Kimberly Afonso, CEO & Founder of The KA Consulting Group, sits down with Erik Braund, Founder & CEO of Katmai, the virtual office platform redefining remote and hybrid work.

Erik shares the untold story behind building Katmai, from discovering an early prototype on Twitter, to bootstrapping through the pandemic, to raising his first $15M round with only $2,000 left in his bank account.

We dive deep into:

• The inspiration behind Katmai and how Erik transformed a rough proof-of-concept into a patented, scalable platform

• Lessons from taking a company from bootstrapped to Series A

• How remote work is evolving beyond videoconferencing apps

• Why presence, spontaneity, and digital culture matter more than ever

Whether you’re a founder, a remote team leader, or just curious about the future of work, this conversation is packed with insights, honesty, and lessons from a CEO who rebuilt everything from the ground up.

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In this episode of The Executive Room, host Kimberly Afonso sits down with Ryan Lewis, CEO of Rancher Government Solutions, a leader in modernizing government IT infrastructure. Ryan shares insights into how RGS is helping government agencies securely scale AI and modernize their operations through containerized software solutions. He explains how the company integrates cutting-edge technology with legacy systems, ensuring seamless transitions while maintaining strict security and compliance standards.

Ryan also discusses the critical role of open communication at RGS and how openly sharing lessons learned and product developments has helped them stay ahead of the latest innovations. He emphasizes how a focus on transparency and trust is key to RGS's success in transforming government operations.

Tune in to hear Ryan’s unique perspective on leadership, technology adoption in the public sector, and the challenges of balancing innovation with security in national defense and intelligence.

Subscribe to The Executive Room for more insightful conversations with prominent entrepreneurs and vocal leaders.

In this episode of The Executive Room Podcast, host Kimberly Afonso sits down with Timothy Menard, Founder and CEO of LYT, an AI-powered smart city platform transforming how municipalities manage traffic, transit, and emergency response.

A former Tesla engineer who helped develop the Model S, X, and 3, Tim has built a company that blends cutting-edge technology with a vital, human-centered mission: creating safer, more efficient, and more connected cities. Under his leadership, LYT received two NSF grants totaling $1.75 million and has been deployed in many major U.S. metropolitan areas. The company has also been recognized on the INC 5000 list of fastest-growing companies, and Tim himself was named to Mass Transit’s 40 Under 40 for his contributions to public sector innovation.

Listen in as Tim shares insights on building an honest business, leading with authenticity, and balancing visibility with purpose. He opens up about his journey from introvert to industry thought leader and the legacy he hopes to leave.

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In this episode of The Executive Room Podcast, host Kimberly Afonso sits down with James Wood, co-founder and CEO of Bowdark Consulting, a firm helping organizations harness technology to streamline operations, fill knowledge gaps, and free teams to focus on high-impact work. With over 25 years in enterprise software, including leadership roles at SAP America and IBM, James has built a reputation for turning bold ideas into practical, high-value solutions.

Listen in as James shares insights on the hidden challenges of enterprise modernization, the evolving “build vs. buy” debate, and how AI and low-code technologies are reshaping innovation. He also reflects on his journey as a bestselling author and the impact of visibility on leadership and company growth.

Subscribe to The Executive Room Podcast for more insights from visionary leaders.