Talent First

Hosted by Michelle Edmondson

TechnologyInterviews guests

Website RSS feed

Episodes

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

About the show

Conversations about cybersecurity & tech, leadership and the human side of innovation. Because whatever is happening in technology, it's always Talent First.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 12, 2026Episode 250 min

‘Speaking from Experience: Risk, Resilience & The Modern CISO’ with Karen O’Reilly Smith

SEASON SIX: In this week's episode of Talent First, 'Strictly Security', I chat to Karen O'Reilly Smith, Global CISO and advisory board member. We talk security and the business, building teams and what really happens when companies suffer a breach.We also talk about the rapidly evolving role of the CISO and why mentorship is so crucial for the future of the industry.If you are a CISO or future leader, this advice-driven episode is for you.About Our Guest: Karen O’Reilly Smith is a global cybersecurity leader whose career has been shaped by a simple belief: security is ultimately about people, trust, and resilience. Karen has led some of the world’s most complex security organizations—across financial services, healthcare, and global technology—guiding teams through rapid change, regulatory pressure, and evolving threats with a steady, humancentered approach.Most recently, Karen served as Senior Vice President and Chief Security Officer at Rackspace, where she led a global team of more than 140 professionals. Known for her calm, decisive leadership, she helped the organization modernize its security operations and strengthen regulatory readiness.Before Rackspace, Karen held senior security leadership roles at Aetna/CVS Health, Citigroup, Barclays, Wells Fargo, IBM and American Express. Whether reducing critical vulnerabilities across international healthcare operations or transforming identity governance for one of the world’s largest financial institutions, she has consistently focused on creating clarity in complexity and empowering teams to deliver meaningful, measurable outcomes.Karen is widely recognized for her ability to translate technical risk into clear business language, helping executives and boards make confident, informed decisions. She is also known for developing strong leadership pipelines and fostering environments where global teams can thrive.Today, she continues to advise organizations on cyber risk, AI, cloud security strategy and resilience. She is an active member of the Dallas CISO Roundtable Forum and the Village8 Cyber Security International Forum and serves as a Board Advisor for Specular.At her core, Karen is driven by a passion for building resilient organizations—and resilient people—in a world where the stakes have never been higher.

June 5, 2026Episode 121 min

Three LinkedIn Mistakes Tech Leaders Make (and why it leads to overwhelm) with Michelle Edmondson

TALENT FIRST TOOLKIT: A new mini series that co-exists with our regular programming! This week, should senior technology leaders even bother with LinkedIn anymore?I explore why LinkedIn still matters, the three biggest mistakes I see technology and cybersecurity leaders making, and how those mistakes often lead to frustration, inconsistency, and overwhelm.I share practical insight into what recruiters and hiring leaders actually look for, how to engage without spending hours online, and what today's LinkedIn algorithm really rewards.If you've ever wondered whether LinkedIn is worth the effort, or how to make it work without becoming a full-time content creator, this episode is for you.

May 29, 2026Episode 230 min

Part Two - ‘The Art and Science of Cybersecurity: Leadership, Risk Translation and Protecting Critical Infrastructure’ - with India James

Season Six: Episode 1, Part #2 - This week's episode of the award-winning Talent First is a continuation of my conversation with India James, security leader and expert in the expansion and resilience of energy and critical infrastructure. We talk about OT security and its growing importance, OTS careers, and how all security leaders can use their artistry to prepare their organisation for breaches and beyond.About Our Guest: India James is an accomplished and nationally recognized executive whose career spans governance, risk, and enterprise execution and transformation across U.S. energy and critical infrastructure sectors. She delivers a combination of policy and operational expertise, grounded in almost two decades of private-sector leadership with public-sector collaboration focused on infrastructure development and resilience.India served as Director, Security and Technology Policy for one of the nation’s largest energy providers, where she directed enterprise-wide responsibilities across IT, operational technology, and physical security – leveraging her experience on both the regulated and competitive sides of energy alongside real estate, critical operations, and large load management. On the EEI Security and Technology Grid of the Future Committee, her contributions and collaborations impacted all the U.S. investor-owned electric companies.She has raised over $4 billion in energy financing leading real estate and held leadership roles in customer strategy, infrastructure risk, and regulatory compliance, where she led multi- million-dollar modernization and partnership initiatives. Her work has influenced national standards for grid modernization, operational technology security, and resilience planning, guiding how energy systems evolve in a data-driven, high-risk environment. India is internationally recognized for her work at the intersection of energy, security & technology, and critical infrastructure.

May 22, 2026Episode 138 min

‘The Art and Science of Cybersecurity: Leadership, Risk Translation and Protecting Critical Infrastructure’ - with India James

SEASON SIX - ‘Strictly Security’: Part #1 - In this week’s episode of Talent First, and our first for Season Six, I chat to India James about why cybersecurity is both an art and a science.We explore the role creativity, intuition and judgement play in modern security leadership, and why the strongest security professionals are often the ones who can think beyond frameworks and controls.India also shares her perspective on translating cyber risk into language the business can actually understand, and why communication is becoming just as important as technical capability.A thoughtful start to our Strictly Security season, and the first part of a brilliant conversation with one of the most interesting voices in the space.About Our Guest: India James is an accomplished and nationally recognized executive whose career spans governance, risk, and enterprise execution and transformation across U.S. energy and critical infrastructure sectors. She delivers a combination of policy and operational expertise, grounded in almost two decades of private-sector leadership with public-sector collaboration focused on infrastructure development and resilience. India served as Director, Security and Technology Policy for one of the nation’s largest energy providers, where she directed enterprise-wide responsibilities across IT, operational technology, and physical security – leveraging her experience on both the regulated and competitive sides of energy alongside real estate, critical operations, and large load management. On the EEI Security and Technology Grid of the Future Committee, her contributions and collaborations impacted all the U.S. investor-owned electric companies.She has raised over $4 billion in energy financing leading real estate and held leadership roles in customer strategy, infrastructure risk, and regulatory compliance, where she led multi- million-dollar modernization and partnership initiatives. Her work has influenced national standards for grid modernization, operational technology security, and resilience planning, guiding how energy systems evolve in a data-driven, high-risk environment. India is internationally recognized for her work at the intersection of energy, security & technology, and critical infrastructure.

April 23, 2026Episode 2853 min

‘From Research to Reality: How AI Becomes Products, Platforms and Business Value’ - with Andrea Rosales

SEASON FIVE: In this week’s episode of Talent First, I chat to Andrea Rosales, data scientist and AI researcher and innovator, about what it really takes to adopt AI inside organisations beyond the hype.We talk about how companies are evaluating large language models and AI tools for enterprise use, and what decision makers should be looking for when the market is moving this quickly.Andrea shares her perspective on how AI, data science and traditional engineering are coming together, and what that means for how teams are built and structured, We also get into how ideas move from research into real products, the role of universities and industry collaboration, and why that gap between innovation and execution still matters.Our conversation explores governance and accountability, who owns AI once it is in production, and what this means for organisations operating in more regulated environments.We finish on the bigger picture. The AI Productivity Paradox, why more technology does not always mean more efficiency, and how companies can balance innovation with caution without falling behind.A practical and thoughtful conversation on how AI is being implemented and what leaders need to be thinking about now.About Our Guest: Andrea Rosales is an AI Research and Innovation Lead with over 15 years of experience delivering data and AI solutions across both industry and academia. She holds a PhD in Computer Science from the University of St Andrews, where her research focused on how AI systems learn and adapt in complex, real-world environments. Her work has evolved from domain adaptation and continual learning to more recent research on large language model reasoning and reliability, with a strong emphasis on building AI systems that are explainable and robust.She was recognised as a UK Global Talent for her contributions to AI in industry and academia. Currently, she is an Associate Director of Data Science at Blend, where she works with organisations to design and deliver end-to-end AI solutions, with a focus on responsible AI adoption and “data for good”, ensuring that AI systems create meaningful and positive impact.

April 17, 2026Episode 2745 min

‘Getting Comfortable Being Uncomfortable: Execution, Leadership and the Fractional COO’ - with Wendi Pannell

BONUS EPISODE: In this week's episode of Talent First, I chat to the wonderful Wendi Pannell, Founder of Pannell Consulting, about what really happens inside tech companies as they grow — and why execution so often becomes the problem. We talk about the point where companies should be flying, strong teams, clear vision, but everything still seems to rely on the founder. Wendi shares what’s actually going on in those moments, and how to break the “founder bottleneck” that slows everything down.We get into why strategy isn’t usually the issue, what strong operating rhythms actually look like in practice, and the leadership and structural shifts companies need to move from early growth into something more sustainable.Wendi also shares her advice for CEOs navigating change, and we share our mutual love of Dolly Parton.A really practical conversation for anyone building, scaling or leading in tech.About Our Guest: Wendi Pannell is the founder of Pannell Consulting and a seasoned COO with over 25 years of experience spanning global enterprises like GE, high-growth startups, and her own SaaS venture, Lightstance. Known for her practical, no-nonsense approach, Wendi jumps in alongside leadership teams to turn organizational complexity into clarity and bridge the gap between business strategy and execution.Whether she is streamlining operations for technical leaders or helping small businesses scale with discipline, Wendi’s work is grounded in the belief that intentional action and shared purpose are essential for meaningful growth. Beyond consulting, she is an adjunct professor at Virginia Tech and a passionate advocate for empowering women in technology.Audiences and clients value Wendi for her ability to translate emerging tools—especially AI—into concrete business gains while maintaining a human-first perspective. When she isn’t guiding teams toward their next breakthrough, she is likely mentoring students, cheering on her three sons, or crafting a competitive charcuterie board.⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/wwp/⁠⁠https://wendipannell.com⁠

April 10, 2026Episode 2654 min

‘Transformation or Theatre? Leadership in the Age of AI’ - with Jean Olive

SEASON FIVE: In this week's episode of Talent First, I chat to Jean Olive, CIO and AI innovator, about leadership, real AI transformation beyond optics and what it really takes to build high-performing technology teams.We talk about her leadership philosophy and how to create environments that stay human-centred, even in complex or political organisations. We also explore AI adoption and the difference between real transformation and surface-level activity, and how leaders can choose the right tools and measure meaningful impact.Our conversation looks at the human side of change, including how to reduce fear, manage resistance and keep teams engaged as technology evolves.We also get into the realities facing women in tech today — from the drop-off between early careers and leadership, to the role of those in senior positions in supporting the next generation.A thoughtful and honest conversation on leadership, technology and the people shaping both.About Our Guest: Jeanmarie T. Olive is a transformational technology executive and former CIO known for driving large-scale digital innovation and business impact across global organizations. With deep expertise spanning AI, cloud, cybersecurity, and enterprise platforms, she has led complex transformations for companies including Manulife, Best Buy, Schneider Electric, and Philips.A people-first leader, Jeanmarie builds inclusive, high-performing teams and fosters cultures where innovation and continuous learning thrive. She has a proven track record of improving operational efficiency, accelerating product delivery, and aligning technology strategy with business growth. Her leadership has delivered measurable results, including significant cost reductions, enhanced customer experiences, and successful modernization of legacy systems at scale.Passionate about advancing women in technology and leveraging AI for meaningful outcomes, Jeanmarie is a trusted advisor to executive leaders and a recognized voice in digital transformation and organizational change. She currently is on the board of advisors for the University of Connecticut College of Engineering and is a puppy raiser for the Guiding Eyes for the Blind association.

March 20, 2026Episode 2538 min

"Storytelling, Safety and AI: Building the Next Generation of Learning" - with Sandra Falque

SEASON FIVE: In this episode of Talent First, I chat to Sandra Falque about her new innovative learning tool for kids, Jules Stories.Sandra shares the inspiration behind Jules, how she designed the product, and the learning goals at its core — creating an experience that supports children’s development while keeping storytelling at the heart of it.We explore the technology behind the platform, including the use of language models, the importance of guardrails and parental controls, and the decisions that go into building something safe and meaningful for young users.Our conversation also looks at the role of storytelling in early learning, how tools like Jules can sit alongside reading and play, and why accessible, thoughtful technology matters as more children grow up in an AI-enabled world.We also discuss the responsibility parents have when introducing AI tools, and the importance of helping children understand the difference between a learning tool and something more personal.A thoughtful and practical conversation for anyone thinking about children, technology and the future of learning.About Our Guest: Sandra is the founder of Jules Stories, a London-based startup building Jules, a screen-free learning device designed to spark children’s imagination and support learning through stories and play. Originally from Paris and now based in London, Sandra spent over a decade in digital consulting before turning to entrepreneurship after becoming a mother of three. Motivated by the challenge of balancing technology and childhood, she set out to build a new kind of educational device that helps families reduce screen time while nurturing curiosity, creativity, and responsible use of AI.

March 13, 2026Episode 2447 min

‘AI Adoption Without The Chaos: Security, Change and Responsibility’ - with Darrell Wilkerson

SEASON FIVE: In this week's episode of Talent First, I talk to Darrell WIlkerson, Founder of TRiSM Now, about the realities of adopting AI inside modern organisations. As companies race to experiment with new tools and platforms, much of the conversation around AI focuses on productivity and innovation. But where does security fit into the picture, and who is ultimately responsible once AI systems become embedded in everyday operations?Darrell shares his perspective on how organisations should approach AI adoption, why smaller companies may actually be better positioned to move quickly and responsibly, and why successful implementation is as much about culture and change management as it is about technology.We also explore how AI might reshape organisational structures, what the rise of AI agents could mean for security leadership roles such as the CISO, and whether the growing presence of shadow AI in companies is a training challenge or a governance one.If your organisation is thinking seriously about AI adoption, this conversation offers a practical and thought-provoking look at the opportunities and the responsibilities that come with it.LISTEN OUT FOR DARRELL'S SPECIAL OFFER FOR ALL LISTENERS.About Our Guest: Darrell Wilkerson is the Founder of TRiSMNow, a strategic AI transformation advisory helping operational organizations adopt AI deliberately and securely.With over 15 years of experience as a Director of Infrastructure and Security, he has led enterprise governance programs aligned to NIST and ISO frameworks, built identity and risk management standards, and guided organizations through complex security integrations and transformation initiatives.Today, he works with executive teams to ensure AI adoption strengthens operational performance without introducing unmanaged risk — integrating governance, identity discipline, and structured oversight into every stage of AI transformation.

February 27, 2026Episode 2247 min

"Human-Centred AI: Confidence, Capability, and Change"- with Barbara Wittmann

SEASON FIVE: In this week's episode of Talent First, I chat to Barbara Wittmann, CIO and Founder of Digital Wisdom Collective, an organisation that helps companies to build Human Infrastructure that enables technology adoption, sustain growth, and lets them navigate complexity with wisdom. We talk about how to empower teams to use AI responsibly and confidently, the importance of people in AI adoption and transformation, and about the crucial role of diversity and inclusion. This is really is an episode about putting talent first.About Our Guest:Barbara Wittmann works with leaders and organizations navigating complexity at the intersection of technology, leadership, and human systems. She is the founder and steward of the Digital Wisdom Collective, a practice space exploring digital wisdom as a new business sense in the age of AI.Over the past 25 years, Barbara has worked inside large-scale IT, digital, and transformation initiatives across industries, often where complexity had outpaced existing leadership models. Her work focuses on judgment, collective intelligence, and the human and wayfinding infrastructure that allow organizations to stay oriented and coherent as change accelerates.She writes and speaks regularly about leadership, future skills, and navigating transformation without losing orientation.Links:www.digitalwisdom.co https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbarawittmann/https://www.linkedin.com/company/digitalwisdomcollective/ https://digitalwisdomcollective.substack.comRegister for the waitlist on the Digital Wisdom Collective.