The TomorrowZone® Catalyst Podcast

In this episode of the TomorrowZone Catalyst Podcast, host Deborah Reuben chats with George Parker, Co-CEO of VenSource Capital and President of the Black Equipment Finance Network (BEFN), about what it takes to build future-ready organizations with the transformation readiness to thrive in a rapidly changing world. As industries compete for talent, embrace AI, and navigate continuous change, George makes a compelling case that lasting business transformation begins with leadership. Future Shaping Leaders don't wait for the right pathway to appear. They build the front door that helps others discover opportunity, contribute, and grow. Drawing on decades of strategic leadership in equipment finance, George shares why curiosity is more than a personal trait. It's a leadership capability that fuels innovation, strengthens relationships, and creates new possibilities. He also explores how AI and human leadership work together to amplify human capability, accelerate learning, and give leaders more time to focus on the work that requires judgment, trust, and meaningful connection. If you're leading business transformation, developing future-ready leaders, or strengthening your organization's transformation readiness, this conversation offers practical insights for expanding opportunity, cultivating leadership capability, and building a resilient, future-ready organization equipped for long-term success.

Future Shaping Leaders series brings you inside the thinking of leaders across generations who are shaping the future of their organizations, industries, and communities. In each episode, host Deborah Reuben explores how they navigate complexity, make critical decisions, and sustain momentum when the path forward is still unfolding.

George Parker is Co-CEO of VenSource Capital and President of the Black Equipment Finance Network (BEFN), where he is helping create the "front door" to the equipment finance industry by expanding opportunity, developing leaders, and building stronger pathways for the next generation of talent. A lifelong entrepreneur and executive, George has built and led successful finance organizations while championing initiatives that strengthen the industry as a whole. As a founding member and first Treasurer of the National Equipment Finance Association (NEFA), he helped establish one of the industry's leading professional organizations. Today, George brings together strategic leadership, relationship building, and a commitment to innovation to create lasting impact, empowering others to lead, grow, and build organizations that are prepared for the future.

Connect with Us: George Parker | LinkedIn VenSource Capital Black Equipment Finance Network (BEFN) Deborah Reuben | LinkedIn TomorrowZone EnterTheTomorrowZone.com

Future Shaping Leaders series brings you inside the thinking of leaders across generations who are shaping the future of their organizations, industries, and communities. In each episode, host Deborah Reuben explores how they navigate complexity, make critical decisions, and sustain momentum when the path forward is still unfolding.

In this episode of the TomorrowZone Catalyst Podcast, host Deborah Reuben chats with Lisa Rafter about what it really takes to create lasting momentum inside an organization. Rather than asking people to simply support a vision, Lisa shares how inviting them to help shape it transforms engagement, ownership, and results.

Drawing on her experience launching the STRIPES Leadership Program and LeadHer, Lisa reveals how curiosity, data, and intentional co-creation can spark meaningful change. Together, Deborah and Lisa explore why developing future leaders requires bold action today, how collaborative design accelerates momentum, and why the organizations that thrive are the ones that invest in people as intentionally as they invest in strategy.

If you're leading change and looking for practical ways to strengthen leadership, build commitment, and shape the future with your team, this conversation offers ideas you can put into practice right away.

Lisa Rafter has spent more than 30 years helping organizations and professionals thrive in the equipment finance industry. As CEO of Molloy Associates and publisher of Monitor Magazine and ABF Journal, she has helped shape the industry through executive search, thought leadership, and groundbreaking publications. She is also the founder of the STRIPES Leadership Program, which develops emerging leaders, and LeadHer, an initiative dedicated to advancing leadership, connection, and opportunity for women across the industry. A certified leadership coach for more than two decades, Lisa is passionate about helping individuals and organizations grow, navigate change, and create lasting impact through people.

Connect with Us:

Lisa Rafter | LinkedIn Monitor Daily Deborah Reuben | LinkedIn TomorrowZone EnterTheTomorrowZone.com

In this episode of the TomorrowZone Catalyst Podcast, host Deborah Reuben is joined by TomorrowZone Director of Operations Jennica Burgh for a thought-provoking conversation about what transformation really means. Using the metaphor of a caterpillar becoming a butterfly, they challenge the common assumption that moving faster equals meaningful progress.

Together, they explore why the messy middle is often where the most important work is happening, why leaders must build the capability to transform continuously rather than chase one successful initiative after another, and how AI should support a larger vision instead of simply accelerating existing ways of working.

If you're leading your organization through growth, modernization, or AI adoption, this conversation will help you step back, ask better questions, and build the foundation for lasting transformation.

Deborah Reuben, CLFP, is the CEO and Founder of TomorrowZone®, a strategic innovation consultancy helping leaders navigate complexity with clarity and courage. With more than two decades of experience at the intersection of finance, technology, and transformation, Deborah is known for guiding executive teams through high-stakes change with a disciplined, human-centered approach. She is the author of Enter the TomorrowZone and the Certified Lease and Finance Professionals' Handbook (6th–10th editions), and has played a key role in modernizing industry education. Deborah has served on the ELFA Board of Directors and currently serves on the CLFP Foundation Board. Through TomorrowZone®, she partners with forward-thinking organizations to strengthen their leadership operating systems so transformation efforts hold under pressure and deliver meaningful, lasting results. Jennica Burgh is Director of Operations at TomorrowZone®, where she bridges strategy and execution to help bold ideas become lasting results. With a background that spans social work, financial services, and operations leadership, Jennica brings a unique blend of people-first thinking and practical execution. She keeps TomorrowZone running with rhythm, guiding projects from vision to action and ensuring every team stays connected to purpose. Whether she's facilitating conversations or refining systems, Jennica creates space for clarity and collaboration. She works closely with clients to translate complexity into movement and momentum, supporting leaders as they align their teams, activate strategy, and shape what's next.

Connect with Us: Deborah Reuben | LinkedIn Jennica Burgh | LinkedIn TomorrowZone EnterTheTomorrowZone.com

Future Shaping Leaders series brings you inside the thinking of leaders across generations who are shaping the future of their organizations, industries, and communities. In each episode, host Deborah Reuben explores how they navigate complexity, make critical decisions, and sustain momentum when the path forward is still unfolding. In this episode of the TomorrowZone Catalyst Podcast, host Deborah Reuben sits down with communication strategist, bestselling author, and SquarePlanet founder Brian Burkhart to explore what separates leaders who are remembered from those who are simply heard. As AI makes polished communication easier than ever, Brian argues that the real advantage belongs to leaders who create genuine human connection. Together, they discuss why emotion shapes influence, how stories help people understand complex ideas, and why trying to sound like everyone else is one of the fastest ways to lose your impact. If you're leading change, building alignment, or communicating through uncertainty, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on how to earn trust, inspire action, and stand out in a world where everyone has access to the same tools. Connect with Us: Brian Burkhart | LinkedIn SquarePlanet Deborah Reuben | LinkedIn TomorrowZone EnterTheTomorrowZone.com

Future Shaping Leaders series brings you inside the thinking of leaders across generations who are shaping the future of their organizations, industries, and communities. In each episode, host Deborah Reuben explores how they navigate complexity, make critical decisions, and sustain momentum when the path forward is still unfolding. In this episode of the TomorrowZone Catalyst Podcast, host Deborah Reuben sits down with Tracey Lovejoy, Co-CEO of Catalyst Constellations, to explore one of the biggest leadership shifts of our time: the move from episodic transformation to continuous evolution. As AI accelerates change and uncertainty becomes the new normal, organizations need more than another transformation initiative. They need an operating model that helps leaders and teams continuously adapt, learn, and evolve. Deborah and Tracey discuss why human readiness has become a strategic advantage, how executive teams are changing the way they lead, and what it takes to build organizations that remain relevant in a world where change never stops. If you're leading transformation, navigating AI, or preparing your organization for what's next, this conversation offers practical insights to help you lead with greater confidence and long term resilience. Tracey Lovejoy is Co-CEO of Catalyst Constellations, cultural anthropologist, researcher, and co-author of Move Fast. Break Shit. Burn Out. A former Microsoft leader, she helps executives build organizations that can thrive in a world of continuous change. Drawing on research, executive advising, and years of experience leading transformation inside complex organizations, Tracey equips leaders to strengthen human readiness, accelerate meaningful behavior change, and create operating rhythms that sustain innovation without burning people out. Her work challenges conventional thinking about transformation, helping organizations move beyond one-time change initiatives to build the capability for continuous evolution in an increasingly dynamic world. Connect with Us: Tracey Lovejoy | LinkedIn Catalyst Constellations Deborah Reuben | LinkedIn TomorrowZone EnterTheTomorrowZone.com

Future Shaping Leaders series brings you inside the thinking of leaders across generations who are shaping the future of their organizations, industries, and communities. In each episode, host Deborah Reuben explores how they navigate complexity, make critical decisions, and sustain momentum when the path forward is still unfolding. In this episode of the TomorrowZone Catalyst Podcast, host Deborah Reuben sits down with Chris Enbom, CEO of AP Equipment Financing and AP Fleet Management, for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, innovation, culture, and what it really takes to stay relevant in a rapidly changing world. Drawing on decades of experience building and scaling businesses, Chris shares why leaders should spend less time chasing technology trends and more time strengthening the human foundations that determine whether transformation succeeds. As new technologies become more accessible and industries face increasing commoditization, he argues that sustainable advantage comes from creating unique value, building strong cultures, and developing capabilities that competitors cannot easily replicate. Deborah and Chris explore the changing nature of competitive advantage, the importance of organizational principles, and why communication remains at the heart of every successful transformation effort. They also discuss how leaders can prepare their organizations for the future while staying grounded in the timeless fundamentals of people, purpose, and culture. For leaders navigating uncertainty, disruption, and accelerating technological change, this conversation offers practical wisdom on building organizations that remain resilient, adaptable, and ready for whatever comes next. Chris Enbom is CEO of AP Equipment Financing and AP Fleet Management, where he has spent more than 25 years building businesses designed for long-term relevance in a rapidly changing world. After founding AP Equipment Financing in 1998 as a one-person operation, he grew it into a nationally recognized organization with more than $1.1 billion in managed assets and a team of over 120 employees. Today, Chris is known for his practical approach to innovation, combining strategic foresight, strong culture, and operational discipline to create lasting competitive advantage. His career spans global finance, asset management, and technology-enabled business transformation. A respected industry leader, Chris has served in numerous leadership roles across the equipment finance community and is widely recognized for advancing professional excellence, collaboration, and future-focused thinking. Connect with Us: Chris Enbom | LinkedIn AP Equipment Financing AP Fleet Management Deborah Reuben | LinkedIn TomorrowZone EnterTheTomorrowZone.com

Future Shaping Leaders series brings you inside the thinking of leaders across generations who are shaping the future of their organizations, industries, and communities. In each episode, host Deborah Reuben explores how they navigate complexity, make critical decisions, and sustain momentum when the path forward is still unfolding. In this episode of the TomorrowZone Catalyst Podcast, Deborah talks with Dale Laszig, Founder and CEO of DSL Direct, Content Strategy Director at The Green Sheet, and longtime observer of technology transformation. Together, they explore how leaders can maintain relevance in a world shaped by AI, accelerating change, and endless information. Dale shares why the future belongs to leaders who cultivate better questions, not just better answers, and explains how curiosity, imagination, and human insight create differentiation when technology becomes widely accessible. The conversation also explores the evolution of payments, the importance of connecting past wisdom with future possibilities, and why meaningful innovation requires more than incremental improvement. If you're leading transformation and looking for new ways to think about relevance, innovation, and human-centered leadership, this episode offers a fresh perspective on what it takes to shape the future with intention.

Article Mentioned in Episode: The Green Sheet. October 10, 2016 Dale Laszig has spent decades helping leaders make sense of change at the intersection of payments, technology, and business transformation. As Founder and CEO of DSL Direct and Content Strategy Director at The Green Sheet, she is known for translating complex industry shifts into clear, actionable insights that help organizations navigate what's next. A veteran payments journalist, strategist, and industry thought leader, Dale has authored hundreds of articles exploring the evolution of financial technology, digital payments, and emerging business models. Her unique perspective comes from both reporting on industry change and helping shape it through leadership roles with payment technology companies, industry associations, and advisory groups. Through her work, she helps leaders connect patterns, uncover meaning, and see opportunities that others might miss in a rapidly changing world.

Connect with Us: Dale Laszig | LinkedIn DSL Direct Deborah Reuben | LinkedIn TomorrowZone EnterTheTomorrowZone.com

Future Shaping Leaders series brings you inside the thinking of leaders across generations who are shaping the future of their organizations, industries, and communities. In each episode, host Deborah Reuben explores how they navigate complexity, make critical decisions, and sustain momentum when the path forward is still unfolding. In this episode of the TomorrowZone Catalyst Podcast, Deborah sits down with Brian Mohr to explore why human connection may become one of leadership's greatest advantages in an AI accelerated world. Brian shares lessons from building startups, leading inside large organizations, and creating trusted spaces where leaders can have honest conversations about work, growth, uncertainty, and change. Together, they explore the power of listening, the importance of psychological safety, and why organizations cannot transform effectively until people feel safe enough to engage fully in the process. This conversation is a thoughtful reminder that while technology continues to evolve rapidly, long term relevance still depends on trust, curiosity, and meaningful human connection. Brian Mohr is a three time founder, TEDx speaker, leadership facilitator, and trusted guide for leaders navigating growth, change, and uncertainty. From helping scale Jobing.com into a national platform to leading talent strategy at P.F. Chang's, Brian has spent decades building teams, shaping culture, and creating environments where people can do their best work. He later co-founded Y Scouts and Anthym, blending purpose, leadership, and human connection in new ways. Today, Brian co-leads Ryze and serves as a LAB Director in Phoenix, where he creates trusted spaces for leaders to have honest conversations, challenge limiting assumptions, and grow through deeper connection. His work is grounded in a simple but powerful belief that in a rapidly changing world, genuine human connection may become one of leadership's most valuable advantages.

Connect with Us: Brian Mohr | LinkedIn Ryze | LinkedIn Deborah Reuben | LinkedIn TomorrowZone EnterTheTomorrowZone.com

In this episode of the TomorrowZone Catalyst Podcast, Deborah Reuben and Jennica Burgh explore one of the defining leadership questions of the AI era: what happens when intelligence, automation, and efficiency become widely accessible? As organizations race to integrate AI into workflows, a deeper shift is emerging beneath the surface. Deborah and Jennica unpack the rise of the meaning economy and why trust, judgment, creativity, discernment, and human connection are becoming increasingly valuable in a world saturated with automation. They examine the widening gap between companies simply layering AI onto old processes and those fundamentally reimagining the future of work. The conversation moves beyond hype and productivity metrics into the real leadership challenges ahead. What happens when organizations automate away the experiences that develop wisdom and critical thinking? How do leaders balance efficiency with the human development required for long-term resilience and innovation? And in a world filled with artificial everything, what makes human leadership matter more than ever? Through thoughtful discussion, practical examples, and future-focused insight, Deborah and Jennica challenge leaders to think more intentionally about the systems they are building today and the human capabilities they will need tomorrow. If you are navigating transformation, questioning how AI reshapes competitive advantage, or thinking deeply about the future of leadership, this conversation offers a powerful lens into what comes next. Deborah Reuben, CLFP, is the CEO and Founder of TomorrowZone®, a strategic innovation consultancy helping leaders navigate complexity with clarity and courage. With more than two decades of experience at the intersection of finance, technology, and transformation, Deborah is known for guiding executive teams through high-stakes change with a disciplined, human-centered approach. She is the author of Enter the TomorrowZone and the Certified Lease and Finance Professionals' Handbook (6th–10th editions), and has played a key role in modernizing industry education. Deborah has served on the ELFA Board of Directors and currently serves on the CLFP Foundation Board. Through TomorrowZone®, she partners with forward-thinking organizations to strengthen their leadership operating systems so transformation efforts hold under pressure and deliver meaningful, lasting results. Jennica Burgh is Director of Operations at TomorrowZone®, where she bridges strategy and execution to help bold ideas become lasting results. With a background that spans social work, financial services, and operations leadership, Jennica brings a unique blend of people-first thinking and practical execution. She keeps TomorrowZone running with rhythm, guiding projects from vision to action and ensuring every team stays connected to purpose. Whether she's facilitating conversations or refining systems, Jennica creates space for clarity and collaboration. She works closely with clients to translate complexity into movement and momentum, supporting leaders as they align their teams, activate strategy, and shape what's next. Articles Referenced in Episode: Death by a Thousand Papercuts. Arnason The Age of Meaning: A Strategic Vision for the Post-Automation Economy. Curioser.AI The Meaning Economy: The Next Great Shift in Value. Jamal K. I'm begging you to write more essays: The best way to learn faster, think deeper, and... save humanity. Koe Connect with Us: Deborah Reuben | LinkedIn Jennica Burgh | LinkedIn TomorrowZone EnterTheTomorrowZone.com

Future Shaping Leaders series brings you inside the thinking of leaders across generations who are shaping the future of their organizations, industries, and communities. In each episode, host Deborah Reuben explores how they navigate complexity, make critical decisions, and sustain momentum when the path forward is still unfolding. In this episode of the TomorrowZone Catalyst Podcast, Deborah chats with Dominic Janney, President of Canon Financial Services, about what it really takes to stay relevant in a rapidly changing world. Dominic shares why the organizations that thrive are not necessarily the biggest, but the ones that adapt quickly while staying closely aligned with their customers, employees, and market realities. Together, they explore how leaders can navigate uncertainty with resilience, foster stronger human connection in an increasingly digital world, and build cultures that encourage collaboration, curiosity, and innovation. Dominic also shares practical insights on leveraging technology to support people rather than replace them, empowering teams to focus on more strategic, creative, and meaningful work. This conversation is a powerful reminder that future-ready leadership is built through adaptability, empowering people, and evolving alongside the communities and teams you serve.

Dominic Janney is President of Canon Financial Services and a seasoned leader with more than 30 years of experience guiding organizations through growth, market disruption, and digital transformation. Throughout his career, he has helped organizations adapt to changing customer expectations while staying grounded in human-centered leadership and long-term resilience. At Canon Financial Services, Dominic is leading initiatives focused on agility, customer alignment, and innovation in a rapidly evolving marketplace shaped by economic uncertainty, shifting technologies, and changing workforce dynamics. He is known for his belief that technology should enhance relationships, not replace them, and for creating collaborative cultures where employees and customers help shape the future together. Dominic also serves on the Board of Directors for the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association, helping influence the future of the industry through leadership, advocacy, and innovation. Connect with Us: Dominic Janney | LinkedIn Canon Financial Services, Inc. Deborah Reuben | LinkedIn TomorrowZone EnterTheTomorrowZone.com