The TomorrowZone® Catalyst Podcast

In this episode of the TomorrowZone® Catalyst Podcast, host Deborah Reuben talks with Martha Galley, Chief Sustainability Officer at Calix, about the mindset shifts that helped her organization gain traction with AI adoption.

Instead of chasing the latest tech, Martha explains how her organization began their AI journey by identifying where they could create the most value for their customers. That shift in perspective set the foundation for everything that followed, from product innovation to internal operations.

Martha shares how Calix cultivated a culture of curiosity and experimentation, where psychological safety is prioritized and new ideas are welcomed. Leaders at every level were invited to imagine new possibilities for their work, which opened the door to meaningful progress.

This episode is a must listen for business leaders ready to turn AI talk into real traction. Discover practical ways to align teams, build trust, and lead meaningful change without losing sight of what matters most: people. Martha Galley is a transformational leader driving innovation at the intersection of technology, sustainability, and customer experience. As Chief Sustainability Officer at Calix, she brings four decades of global leadership in the software and cloud industries, having held executive roles at Microsoft, Salesforce, and Calix. Martha's track record includes launching high-growth business units, reimagining go-to-market strategies, and integrating AI and analytics to deliver actionable insights. Known for creating high-performance cultures and leading major business transformations, she empowers teams to adopt AI not just as a tool, but as a strategic collaborator. A passionate advocate for diversity and mentorship, Martha serves in multiple advisory and philanthropic roles. Her ability to align mission-driven innovation with real business outcomes makes her a powerful voice for future-focused leaders navigating change. Connect with Us: Martha Galley | LinkedIn Calix Deborah Reuben | LinkedIn TomorrowZone

Slowing down isn't a setback, it's an accelerator. Pausing to gain clarity is what enables faster, more intentional progress. In this episode of the TomorrowZone Catalyst Podcast, guest host Jennica Burgh sits down with Deborah Reuben to explore the surprising truth about clarity, busyness, and visionary leadership. What if the constant pressure to hustle is actually holding you back from real progress? Together, they unpack why creating space to think, far from being a luxury, is one of the most strategic leadership moves you can make. From reframing urgency to recognizing when your calendar is leading you (instead of the other way around), this conversation offers tangible mindset shifts and practices that help leaders move from reacting to designing. If you're navigating complexity, leading transformation, or just feeling overwhelmed by noise, this episode is your invitation to pause, reset, and lead with intention. Deborah Reuben, CLFP, is a trailblazer in future-focused strategy, innovation, and emerging tech. As Founder and CEO of TomorrowZone®, she challenges the status quo with bold thinking and helps industry leaders rethink what's possible. With over two decades of experience in equipment finance and software, Deborah's passion lies in blending human-centered design with the power of exponential technology to inspire real change. She's the author of multiple editions of the CLFP Handbook and creator of the TomorrowZone System™, a framework for leading innovation without burnout. Her thought leadership has earned top honors across the industry. Deborah's mission? To activate curiosity, empower people, and equip teams to thrive through disruption, not just survive it. Connect with Us: Deborah Reuben | LinkedIn Jennica Burgh | LinkedIn TomorrowZone

**Special Series** From Spark to Shift: How Smart Leaders are Navigating AI Adoption. AI isn't just an assistant; It's a consultant that challenges your thinking. In this episode of the TomorrowZone® Catalyst Podcast, host Deb Reuben chats with Katie Thompson of Siemens Financial Services. A strategic leader at the intersection of syndications, sales enablement, and digital product delivery, Katie shares her surprising journey from AI skeptic to strategic user, and how that transformation is influencing how she leads and drives change. What starts as a personal experiment with bird feeders and haircut recommendations evolves into a practical, empowering approach to using AI at work. Katie reveals how reimagining AI as a thinking partner, not just a task-doer, has boosted her confidence, strengthened her decision-making, and even elevated her writing and critical thinking skills. She also gets real about resistance, authenticity, and how to stay grounded when surrounded by 40,000+ AI tools. This episode is a must-listen for leaders navigating uncertainty who are ready to move from AI talk to real traction. Connect with Us: Katie Thompson | LinkedIn Siemens Financial Services Deborah Reuben | LinkedIn TomorrowZone.io

**Special Series** From Spark to Shift: How Smart Leaders are Navigating AI Adoption. The real power of AI isn't in the technology itself, it's in how humans use it, understand it, and tell the story around it. In this episode of the TomorrowZone® Catalyst Podcast, host Deb Reuben chats with Beth Bannerman: communications strategist, sustainability advocate, and CEO of Wild Sage Enterprises. With a background spanning journalism, global finance, biotech, and AI, Beth brings a rich, multi-layered perspective to the human side of innovation. They explore why narrative isn't just a nice-to-have, but a critical tool for leading successful AI transformation. From crafting clarity in complex spaces to building trust across silos, Beth shares how purpose-driven storytelling helps organizations navigate fast-moving change while staying grounded in long-term impact. This conversation is packed with thought-provoking ideas for leaders ready to do more than just implement tech, who want to reshape what's possible. You'll leave this episode inspired to rethink communication, culture, and the power of curiosity to drive real transformation. Beth Bannerman is a strategic advisor, award-winning communicator, and a passionate catalyst for purpose-driven growth. As Founder and CEO of Wild Sage Enterprises, she helps executives and growth-stage companies connect narrative to meaningful, sustainable outcomes. With over 25 years of experience across journalism, corporate leadership, and ESG strategy, Beth has shaped global communications through financial crises, tech disruptions, and sustainability transformations – earning recognition from Bloomberg, National Geographic, and the New York Times. She's co-produced science films with the BBC, spoken at UN COP events, and earned a Cannes Silver Award for her work. Beth also serves on the board of an AI sustainability intelligence company and hosts The Planeteers Podcast, where she spotlights women building a cooler, more regenerative world. Connect with Us: Beth Bannerman | LinkedIn Deborah Reuben | LinkedIn TomorrowZone.io

**Special Series** From Spark to Shift: How Smart Leaders are Navigating AI Adoption.

You don't need to be technical to lead with AI; you just need curiosity and follow-through.

That's the mindset fueling Stephen Lankler's approach to transformation as CTO of ElmBlue Equipment Finance. In this episode of the TomorrowZone Catalyst Podcast, host Deb Reuben chats with Stephen about his unconventional path to AI leadership and how he's using generative AI to drive innovation, build faster, and scale smarter. Stephen shares how a startup environment forced him to ditch perfectionism, embrace rapid prototyping, and lean into AI as a trusted thought partner. From building a calculator over a weekend to shifting his entire team's mindset around AI adoption, Stephen's journey offers a refreshing, empowering look at what's possible when curiosity leads the way. Whether you're rethinking your team's approach to change, looking to accelerate innovation, or just wondering where to start with AI, this conversation will get you inspired to move from spark to shift. Stephen Lankler is a future-focused technology leader with a unique approach to innovation in the equipment finance space. As Chief Technology Officer at ElmBlue Equipment Finance, he's leading the charge to build a next-gen, AI-powered digital lending platform that simplifies financing for dealers and small businesses. With a background spanning marketing, fintech, and digital transformation, Stephen brings both vision and execution to the table. Previously, he held leadership roles at First Citizens Bank and CIT, driving bold moves in product innovation and customer experience. What sets Stephen apart is his ability to leverage AI not just as a tool, but as a collaborative partner, to accelerate results and inspire new ways of thinking. His passion for scalable growth, paired with hands-on experimentation, positions him as a catalyst for change in an industry ready for reinvention. Connect with Us: Stephen Lankler | LinkedIn ElmBlue Capital Deborah Reuben | LinkedIn TomorrowZone.io

We're often so focused on finding answers that we forget to ask if we're even posing the right question in the first place. In this episode of the TomorrowZone® Catalyst Podcast, host Deborah Reuben chats with co-host Alissa Bartlett about curiosity – not as a fluffy trait, but as a critical leadership skill. Drawing inspiration from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, they explore how asking better questions can prevent costly missteps, accelerate innovation, and build genuine buy-in. Deb breaks down the five shifts of the TomorrowZone System™, revealing how curiosity threads through every stage, from alignment to evolution. You'll hear real-world examples, including how "why" (asked the right way) saved a client from an expensive hiring mistake and transformed resistance into excitement. If you're navigating complex change, fostering innovation, or simply want to stop solving the wrong problems, this episode will change how you approach conversations, planning, and transformation itself. Deborah Reuben, CLFP, is a trailblazer in future-focused strategy, innovation, and emerging tech. As Founder and CEO of TomorrowZone®, she challenges the status quo with bold thinking and helps industry leaders rethink what's possible. With over two decades of experience in equipment finance and software, Deborah's passion lies in blending human-centered design with the power of exponential technology to inspire real change. She's the author of multiple editions of the CLFP Handbook and creator of the TomorrowZone System™ – a framework for leading innovation without burnout. Her thought leadership has earned top honors across the industry, and she's led transformative conversations for brands like Wells Fargo, Dell, Caterpillar, and DLL Group. Deborah's mission? To activate curiosity, empower people, and equip teams to thrive through disruption – not just survive it. Connect with Us: Deborah Reuben | LinkedIn Alissa Bartlett | LinkedIn TomorrowZone

**Special Series** From Spark to Shift: How Smart Leaders are Navigating AI Adoption. The best AI use cases don't start with the tech; they start with real business problems. In this episode of the TomorrowZone® Catalyst Podcast, host Deborah Reuben sits down with John Sokol, founder of LeadX, to talk about what it really takes to build a future-ready, data-driven sales engine. With a background in data science and real-world experience in the equipment finance space, John shares his journey from academic AI to practical innovation. He reveals how his startup was shaped by listening to customer pain points, and why that made all the difference. You'll hear why lead qualification is still one of the toughest challenges in B2B sales, what most leaders miss when applying AI, and how to move beyond the buzzwords to drive actual business traction. Whether you're just exploring AI or leading adoption efforts, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on how to rethink data, momentum and the future of work. John Sokol is a data scientist, entrepreneur, and founder of LeadX, a go-to-market and sales enablement company transforming how organizations generate revenue with smart data. With a strong foundation in AI and machine learning, and deep experience in the equipment finance industry, John has a rare talent for bridging the gap between technical possibility and real-world business impact. He's on a mission to help sales leaders stop wasting time on outdated lead processes and start using better data to make better decisions. Known for his curiosity, clarity, and relentless drive to solve meaningful problems, John empowers organizations to turn complexity into momentum. Connect with Us: John Sokol | LinkedIn LeadX.io Deborah Reuben | LinkedIn TomorrowZone.io

What if your untapped potential isn't in another productivity hack, but in coming home to who you really are? In this episode of the TomorrowZone® Catalyst Podcast, host Deborah Reuben sits down with speaker, coach, and peak performance expert Hilary Bilbrey to discuss The Authenticity Key, her new bestselling book that challenges leaders to redefine success from the inside out. Hilary shares why high achievers often leave 20% of their performance on the table by chasing validation instead of aligning with their core values. From her Authenticity Compass framework to rethinking how we build trust, she offers a practical and powerful perspective on leading with clarity and courage. If you've ever felt like success is costing you your soul, or you're ready to lead from a more grounded place, this conversation will challenge, inspire, and reorient your compass. Tune in to explore how showing up as more of who you are might just be your greatest leadership advantage. Hilary Bilbrey is an Amazon bestselling author, executive coach, and keynote speaker who helps high-performing leaders unlock their next level - not by doing more, but by becoming more of who they truly are. A trusted advisor to Fortune 200 leaders across biotech, finance, and innovation-driven industries, Hilary equips teams to realign with core values, reclaim authentic leadership, and amplify performance from the inside out. Her groundbreaking book, The Authenticity Key, offers a practical path to redefining success and creating trust-centered cultures that scale. With a signature blend of warmth, wit, and actionable insight, Hilary challenges conventional thinking and inspires leaders to connect deeply, lead boldly, and leave others better than they found them. Connect with Us: Hilary Bilbrey | LinkedIn PEQ Performance Consulting LLC Deborah Reuben | LinkedIn TomorrowZone

In this episode of the TomorrowZone Catalyst Podcast, Deborah Reuben chats with producer and certified AI Design Sprint facilitator Alissa Bartlett about moving AI conversations beyond the hype, toward practical outcomes. Together, they break down a simple, structured discovery process that helps teams identify business pain points, explore AI capabilities, and quickly connect the dots to high-value use cases. The message is clear: "Business first, tech second." Through a gamified, visual approach, they show how non-technical teams can transform curiosity into momentum and actively participate in innovation. Along the way, Deborah and Alissa reveal why mindset matters, how to work with AI as a collaborative thought partner, and the leadership habit that separates talkers from doers: making space for exploration. You'll walk away with a clear starting point to drive AI adoption confidently, collaboratively, and with measurable impact. Deborah Reuben, CLFP, is the CEO and Founder of TomorrowZone®, a consulting firm helping leaders shape what's next through bold strategy, human-centered innovation, and practical uses of emerging tech. With two decades in equipment finance and software, she's known for translating fast-moving technology into meaningful business value. Deborah authored the CLFP Handbook (6th–10th editions) and serves on the CLFP Foundation Board, with prior leadership roles at ELFA and across industry advisory councils. Her work has earned top honors for service and innovation, and TomorrowZone partners with major brands to build future-ready capabilities and outcomes. Deborah's mission is simple: challenge short-term thinking, spark curiosity, and turn ideas into traction that drives growth. She helps organizations make confident, people-first moves with AI – starting from business goals and ending with measurable results. Connect with Us: Deborah Reuben | LinkedIn Alissa Bartlett | LinkedIn TomorrowZone

Innovation isn't just about technology; it's first about people. In this episode of the TomorrowZone® Catalyst Podcast, host Alissa Bartlett talks with Jennica Burgh about a side of innovation we don't spotlight enough: the human side. As Director of Operations at TomorrowZone®, Jennica shares insights from her unique journey, from clinical social work to operations leadership, and highlights why empathy isn't just a nice-to-have, it's foundational to real innovation. Together, they explore how leaders can create rhythms that put people at the center of change, why small moments of connection matter more than we realize, and how to recognize the warning signs that your innovation process lost the human focus. If you're driving change but facing resistance, this conversation offers a refreshing perspective. Because the future of innovation isn't just fast, it's deeply human. Jennica Burgh is the behind-the-scenes powerhouse aligning people, strategy, and execution as Director of Operations at TomorrowZone®. With a rare blend of social work roots and financial services expertise, Jennica brings a deeply human lens to complex systems. She's known for transforming operations into people-first ecosystems that not only run efficiently but empower teams to thrive. A strategic navigator with a bias for action, Jennica ensures that big ideas don't just inspire – they get implemented. Her leadership helps innovation stay grounded in empathy, clarity, and meaningful impact.

Connect with Us: Jennica Burgh | LinkedIn Alissa Bartlett | LinkedIn TomorrowZone