Leadership isn't about having all the answers. It's about building the conditions where others can find them.

In this episode, Aaron Kopel sits down with Michael Koluch, VP of IT Strategy and Operations at Arlington/Roe, who made a career pivot from 16 years in higher education to IT leadership, starting at the help desk and working his way up.

Michael shares six practical principles for unlocking momentum in IT: setting the right priorities, asking better questions, building teams around strengths, choosing progress over perfection, sustaining urgency, and communicating strategy consistently. He also gets honest about the hardest part of growing into leadership, learning to step back and let your team own the work, even the systems you built yourself.

The conversation also covers what it means for IT to stop being an add-on and start being woven into the business, how to ask questions that reframe processes rather than just replicate them, and why the soft skills we keep dismissing are actually the most critical skills in the room.

Key takeaways:

• The right work matters more than more work
• Leadership is about empowering others, not staying in the weeds
• IT earns its seat at the table by speaking the language of business outcomes

Episode highlights

(00:00) Introducing Michael Koluch

(01:18) From counselor to IT leader

(08:27) Six ways to unlock team momentum

(10:13) Prioritize the right work, not more work

(11:47) Ask better questions before building solutions

(15:46) Build complementary teams that perform

(17:12) Progress beats perfection every time

(18:53) Keep momentum with urgency and strategy

(22:03) The hardest leadership skill is letting go

(28:17) Why IT must become a business partner

(35:56) The surprising hobby that teaches leadership

(37:36) The historical figure every leader should study

(40:08) How Michael wants to be remembered

(42:52) Books every technology leader should read

Michael Koluch on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-koluch/

Aaron Kopel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronkopel

Explore Project Brilliant: https://projectbrilliant.com

Buy Unlocking Momentum: https://a.co/d/hKPFqoS

Technology leaders often focus on efficiency, but lasting business impact comes from trust, alignment, and understanding the people behind the processes.

In this episode, Aaron Kopel sits down with Mike Loggins, CEO of MetaStrategy Consulting, technology leader, and advocate for human-centered IT leadership. Mike shares his unconventional journey from aspiring music teacher to technology executive, reflecting on the experiences, opportunities, and leadership lessons that shaped his 26-year career in IT.

Mike discusses why successful technology leaders must move beyond transactional relationships and build genuine partnerships with the business. He explains how trust, empathy, and communication can break down organizational silos, improve collaboration, and unlock momentum across teams. He also shares personal insights about embracing neurodiversity, understanding individual strengths, and creating environments where people can do their best work.

The conversation also explores the rapid rise of AI and what it means for organizations, technology teams, and future leaders. Mike discusses the importance of AI governance, responsible experimentation, and why professionals at every level must learn how to leverage AI tools to remain effective in a changing workplace. He explains why AI is unlikely to replace people entirely, but will dramatically reshape the tasks, skills, and roles that organizations value most.

Key takeaways:

• Trust and empathy are essential for building stronger relationships between IT and the business
• Why effectiveness matters more than efficiency when driving meaningful outcomes
• How leaders can create responsible AI governance while encouraging innovation and experimentation

Episode highlights

(00:47) Mike's background and journey into IT leadership
(04:28) Advice for younger professionals and embracing neurodiversity
(07:00) Unlocking momentum through trust and business partnership
(11:53) Efficiency versus effectiveness in technology leadership
(15:18) The future of AI, governance, and organizational readiness
(21:04) How AI is changing careers and technology roles
(25:36) Rapid-fire segment
(27:49) Coffee with his father and lessons across generations
(29:02) What Mike wants to be known for

Mike Loggins on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-loggins/ 

Aaron Kopel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronkopel

Explore Project Brilliant: https://projectbrilliant.com

Buy Unlocking Momentum: https://a.co/d/hKPFqoS 

Technology can enable change, but trust, communication, and strong leadership are what truly move organizations forward.

In this episode, Aaron Kopel sits down with Heather Darring, CIO of Kappa Alpha Theta and President of the TechPoint Indiana CIO Network. Heather shares her unconventional path into technology leadership, from studying art in college to leading IT for an organization serving more than 240,000 members.

Heather reflects on the lessons she's learned throughout her career, including why there is no single "right" career path and how focusing on your strengths can open unexpected opportunities. She also shares a powerful story about overcoming communication breakdowns between departments and how rebuilding trust led to stronger collaboration and measurable business results.

The conversation explores one of today's most important topics: AI. Heather discusses the responsibility technology leaders have to think beyond business outcomes and consider the broader impact of emerging technologies on people, communities, and the environment. She also explains why organizations should focus on strategy first and technology second when evaluating new tools and innovations.

Key takeaways:

• Trust and communication matter more than technology in successful transformations
• What responsibility do technology leaders have when it comes to AI and emerging technologies
• CIOs must ensure technology investments support organizational strategy and long-term goals

Episode highlights

(00:42) Welcome and host introductions

(01:40) Heather’s unplanned path into IT

(03:20) Joining and growing CIO network community

(05:31) Career advice: No single golden path

(12:49) Discussing AI ethics and social impact

(17:12) Scaling change across 240,000 members

(20:08) Future focus: Mission over technology hype

(22:59) Rapid-fire: Hobbies and admired heroes

(25:18) Legacy: Positive influence and connections

Heather Darring on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-darring-100/

Aaron Kopel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronkopel

Explore Project Brilliant: https://projectbrilliant.com

Buy Unlocking Momentum: https://a.co/d/hKPFqoS 

Technology may enable momentum, but people, leadership, and mindset are what truly move organizations forward.

In this episode, Aaron Kopel sits down with Gervais Johnson, an experienced leader in AI, Agile transformations, and digital strategy. Gervais shares his journey from working at NASA and General Dynamics to becoming a pivotal player in Agile and AI transformations at major organizations like IBM.

Through his career, Gervais demonstrates how business and organizational transformation come before technological change, and how AI is not just a tool but a strategy that can open up new business models and revenue streams. He discusses the importance of blending Agile principles with AI adoption and highlights how strong leadership, intentional transformation strategies, and continuous learning drive success in today's fast-paced business environment.

Gervais emphasizes that true transformation requires not just technology implementation but fostering a culture of collaboration, understanding organizational needs, and focusing on empowering people. He also explores how AI's rapid evolution impacts workflows, governance, and the critical role of leaders in shaping this new landscape.

Key takeaways:

• Companies that delay embracing AI risk falling behind
• AI is a tool for organizational and business transformation
• Strong leadership and strategy are key to effective AI adoption

Episode highlights

(00:00) Intro

(04:51) How Lilly scaled enterprise AI adoption

(06:35) Career lessons on stability and negotiation

(08:59) Building momentum through organizational change networks

(13:16) AI transformation beyond technology alone

(16:32) AI augments humans, not replaces them

(18:45) AI investment strategy, costs, and KPIs

(22:35) Agent governance, guardrails, and human oversight

(26:53) Documenting end-to-end workflows before AI automation

(30:02) Why leaders must actively use AI

(32:49) AI first versus AI native explained

(35:38) Vibe coding, agents, and AI development

(36:56) Companies risk falling behind without AI adoption

(38:04) CIO roadmap for enterprise AI transformation

(41:43) Rapid fire questions and final thoughts

Gervais Johnson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gervaisjohnson/ 

Aaron Kopel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronkopel

Explore Project Brilliant: https://projectbrilliant.com

Buy Unlocking Momentum: https://a.co/d/hKPFqoS 

Momentum inside an organization rarely comes from technology by itself. It is shaped by people, leadership, and the mindset that guides how teams work, adapt, and move forward together.

In this episode, Aaron Kopel sits down with Steven Barley, Chief Information and Technology Officer at the Indiana Public Retirement System (INPRS), to explore how momentum is unlocked by shifting IT from a support function into a strategic business partner. Steven shares his journey from operations into IT leadership and how it shaped his approach to aligning business needs with technology. He explains why real progress comes from understanding core problems, not just applying new tools, and how strong relationships drive better outcomes.

Through his modernization efforts, Steven highlights the importance of intentional AI adoption, strong governance, and investing in people through upskilling. He shows how empowering teams, encouraging cross functional thinking, and focusing on customer experience can transform organizations. Ultimately, he reinforces that lasting momentum comes from developing people and aligning strategy with execution.

Key takeaways:

• Momentum is driven by people and mindset, not just technology
• IT creates more value when it acts as a strategic business partner
• Understanding problems deeply matters more than applying new tool

Episode highlights

(00:00) Intro

(01:00) Transition from operations to IT leadership

(05:32) Advice on l Learning from other industries and experiences

(09:31) Networking through conferences and peer groups

(14:13) Shifting IT to strategic business partner

(19:08) Using skills matrix to upskill teams

(22:24) Building data foundation before AI implementation

(24:24) Challenges of scaling AI governance efforts

(26:15) Starting small to build AI trust

(31:54) Key advice for modern CIO leadership

(39:17) Creative resources to check out

(42:05) Rapid fire questions with Steven 

(46:01) Leadership legacy and helping others grow

Steven Barley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sbarley/

Explore the Indiana Public Retirement System (INPRS): https://www.linkedin.com/company/indiana-public-retirement-system/

Aaron Kopel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronkopel

Explore Project Brilliant: https://projectbrilliant.com

Buy Unlocking Momentum: https://a.co/d/hKPFqoS 

AI doesn't fail because of bad technology. It fails because of bad change management.

In this episode, Aaron Kopel sits down with Diana Williams, Director of Change Management at Project Brilliant, to explore why AI adoption is ultimately a people challenge. Drawing from her experience in state government and consulting across regulated industries, Diana shares how organizations often focus on building the technology, but struggle to get employees to actually use it. She explains that resistance is rarely about the tools themselves, but about fear, trust, and the impact on how people see their roles and value.

Diana discusses how AI represents a broader cultural and behavioral shift, similar to past transformations like Agile and DevOps. Through examples like IBM’s Watson Health and UPS’s ORION system, she shows how success depends on involving people early, building trust, and continuously iterating. She emphasizes that the organizations that win with AI aren’t the ones with the best technology; they’re the ones that bring their people along.

Key takeaways:

• AI adoption is a people and culture challenge, not just a technical one
• Involving employees early builds buy-in and reduces resistance
• AI implementation should be iterative, not a one-time rollout

Episode highlights

(00:00) Intro

(01:04) Lessons in change management in state government 

(04:11) Why networking is critical for growth and learning

(07:04) Fear is the real adoption problem

(11:37) Case Study: Why IBM Watson failed and UPS ORION succeeded

(15:25) You can't automate your way out of bad data 

(20:59) People don't resist change, they resist being changed

(25:54) Aligning teams and choosing the right use cases

(27:37) The role of the CIO goes beyond IT

(30:12) AI is a business initiative, not an IT project

(34:28) AI success depends on adoption, not capability

(35:49) Book recommendation: The Power of Habit

Diana Williams on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-agilecoach/

Aaron Kopel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronkopel

Explore Project Brilliant: https://projectbrilliant.com

Buy Unlocking Momentum: https://a.co/d/hKPFqoS 

Organizational momentum is no longer just about pushing harder or following a plan. It is a leadership, alignment, and focus challenge that impacts every level of the business.

In this episode, Aaron Kopel sits down with Patrick Bogan, VP IT Strategy and Operational Excellence at CNO Financial Group, to explore the importance of alignment in driving organizational momentum. Patrick reflects on his extensive experience leading meaningful change, both as an independent consultant and now within a major financial company. He shares how momentum doesn't come from working harder or having the right plan, but from aligning teams around what truly matters most. Patrick emphasizes the need for focus, transparent decision-making, and leadership that aligns all departments toward common goals.

Through his journey, Patrick discusses the critical role of self-awareness, trust-building, and aligning priorities across the enterprise. He reveals how aligning technology modernization efforts with business goals ultimately unlocked momentum at CNO Financial Group, and explains why focusing on what really matters is the key to overcoming resistance and driving success.

Key takeaways:

• True momentum is unlocked through alignment, not effort
• Leadership is about influence and building trust, not authority
• Transparent decision-making and prioritization are essential for success across the enterprise

Episode highlights

(00:00) Intro

(00:32) Meet Patrick Bogan and his journey

(02:47) Consulting lessons on trust and leadership

(04:10) The importance of self-awareness in leadership

(05:41) Achieving momentum through strategic alignment

(06:39) Tech modernization and leadership tradeoffs

(13:11) Debunking the lie: "We can do both"

(15:19) Navigating the challenges of AI transformation

(17:40) Leading for flow and organizational focus

(21:50) Why direction must come from the top

(23:26) Career advice: Assume good intent always

(27:06) Rapid fire: Hiking and nature inspiration

(28:41) Coffee chat: Leadership insights from Chamberlain

(30:12) Legacy of kindness and leadership impact

Patrick Bogan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickbogan/

Explore CNO Financial Group: https://www.cnoinc.com/

Aaron Kopel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronkopel

Explore Project Brilliant: https://projectbrilliant.com

Buy Unlocking Momentum: https://a.co/d/hKPFqoS 

Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue. It is a leadership, operations, and communication challenge that touches every part of the business.

In this episode, Aaron Kopel sits down with Chetrice Romero, Senior Cybersecurity Advisor at Ice Miller LLP, to unpack what organizations still get wrong about cyber readiness. Chetrice shares her unconventional path from public relations and crisis communications into cybersecurity leadership, including her work shaping Indiana’s statewide cyber strategy and advising organizations through high-stress incidents. She explains why the biggest cyber risks today are often people problems, why geopolitics now matter to business leaders far beyond government, and why incident response planning has to extend well beyond the IT department.

Chetrice also breaks down what effective tabletop exercises actually look like and why leaders need to understand their role before a real incident hits. This conversation is a practical look at how momentum in cybersecurity comes from preparation, shared responsibility, and the ability to respond calmly when the pressure is highest.

Key takeaways:

• Cybersecurity is a people and business problem, not just a technical one
• Tabletop exercises reveal leadership gaps before a real incident does
• Vendor risk, geopolitics, and poor preparation can quickly become operational crises

Episode highlights

(00:00) Intro

(01:04) From PR into cyber leadership

(02:51) Building Indiana’s cyber strategy

(14:06) Geopolitics and destructive attacks

(17:38) What tabletop planning should cover

(24:21) When vendor breaches hit operations

(25:46) PR, panic, and crisis pressure

(28:16) What cyber insurance really covers

(29:48) How to run useful tabletops

(35:53) Rapid fire questions and reflections

Chetrice Romero on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/romeroclm 

Aaron Kopel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronkopel

Explore Ice Miller LLP: https://www.icemiller.com/ 

Explore Project Brilliant: https://projectbrilliant.com

The Science of Scaling by Benjamin Hardy: https://a.co/d/76xHeGD 

Buy Unlocking Momentum: https://a.co/d/hKPFqoS 

The best leaders don’t focus on doing more. They create environments where innovation thrives.

In this episode, Aaron Kopel, CEO of Project Brilliant, shares insights from a recent trip to Cuba and how the systemic challenges observed there can relate to organizational leadership. Drawing from his personal experiences in Cuba, Aaron explores how entrepreneurs and leaders are navigating a complex environment where top-down systems and governmental restrictions often hinder innovation. He delves into how leaders can unlock momentum within their organizations by addressing systemic barriers, such as rigid structures, policies, and metrics, that prevent long-term success.

Aaron shares lessons from entrepreneurs who are working within these constraints, showing how resilience and resourcefulness can drive meaningful change, even in the face of adversity. He reflects on the importance of leaders designing environments that allow for innovation, rather than focusing solely on immediate goals. The conversation touches on the role of systemic change in fostering organizational growth and the key skills that leaders need to create lasting impact.

Key takeaways:

• Addressing systemic issues is key to unlocking momentum
• Leaders must create environments that enable innovation
• Sustainable growth comes from designing systems, not just executing tasks

Episode highlights

(00:00) Intro

(01:01) Why travel shapes leadership perspective

(02:04) Cuba trip context: entrepreneurs' journey

(03:24) First impressions: Havana’s challenges unfold

(06:25) Entrepreneurship's struggle under communist control

(10:58) Taxes, incentives, and the side hustle

(14:20) Farm success followed by government throttling

(18:21) Leadership agility through Castro’s lens

(21:42) Hope for Cuba: capital, tech, progress

(24:47) CIO lessons in unlocking organizational momentum

Aaron Kopel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronkopel

Explore Central Indiana Corporate Partnership: https://www.cicpindiana.com/ 

Explore Project Brilliant: https://projectbrilliant.com

Buy Unlocking Momentum: https://a.co/d/hKPFqoS 

Great leadership isn't about pushing harder. It's about building trust and solving problems as a team.

In this episode, Aaron Kopel sits down with Jason "JD" Duigou, an experienced CIO, leadership mentor, and the founder and principal consultant of Truefire Partners, LLC. JD shares insights from his career journey, including his time as a CIO, and offers valuable lessons on the importance of trust and relationships in driving business success.

JD reveals a crucial lesson: leadership isn’t about pushing harder. The truth is, it’s about being invited in earlier and shaping problems with the business, rather than rushing to solutions. He reflects on his realization that technology alone doesn’t earn influence; it’s the human connections and trust that make initiatives successful. JD and Aaron discuss how IT leaders can break free from “order taker” roles, become true business partners, and create a culture of collaboration across organizations.

Key takeaways:

• Leadership success comes from building trust and relationships, not just executing solutions
• Shaping problems collaboratively leads to stronger business outcomes
• IT leaders must shift from tech execution to strategic partnership with business units

Episode highlights

(00:00) Intro

(01:20) Beginnings from first-gen college to work 

(02:45) Why mentorship will always matter

(05:04) How JD became a CIO by using trust

(08:21) On choosing guardrails and leadership over hype

(12:45) The CIO’s hidden operating system

(19:39) Networking, book club, and how to connect with JD

(22:08) Rapid-fire questions

Jason “JD’ Duigou on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonduigou/

Check out Jason’s CIO Field Notes: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/cio-field-notes-episode-1-role-has-changed-have-we-jason-jd--8qfpc/

Check out Well Said! by Darlene Price: https://www.amazon.com/Well-Said-Presentations-Conversations-Results/dp/0814417876

Aaron Kopel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronkopel

Explore Truefire Partners, LLC: https://truefirepartners.com/

Explore Project Brilliant: https://projectbrilliant.com

Buy Unlocking Momentum: https://a.co/d/hKPFqoS