Tech Whisperers: Inside the Playbooks of the Best Digital Leaders

Hosted by Ouellette & Associates

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Aug 2026

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About the show

Tech Whisperers: Inside the Playbooks of the Best Digital Leaders, is a podcast for CxOs and industry leaders looking to hear conversations that unpack the leadership philosophies, decision making thought processes and unique expressions that differentiate the best. If you’re looking to gain an edge, instill new mindsets, and move out of your comfort zone, you’ve found the right community. Welcome to Tech Whisperers!

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August 26, 20261 hr 17 min

Beyond the Map: Marianne Johnson on Leading When There Is No Playbook

With AI turning the traditional leadership playbook on its head, many leaders are finding themselves stuck in cycles of pilots, experimentation, and uncertainty. Marianne Johnson, EVP & Chief Product Officer at Cox Automotive, is one of the select few who are already creating real business impact, rewriting the playbook and redefining what’s possible in the process. In this episode of Tech Whisperers, we’re shining a light on Marianne’s enterprise leadership story, which involves orchestrating one of the largest business transformations in the industry, grounded in the conviction that AI starts and ends with people. Marianne shares how Cox Automotive moved from “data first, AI enabled” to “AI first, data differentiated,” and the corporate jet conversation that helped launch its agentic AI strategy two years ago. Among other things, she also opens up about surviving an F5 tornado as a baby, the grandmother who taught her that “everything is figure-out-able,” and the young man in Kenya whose life she helped change. Connect with Marianne: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariannemcpeakjohnson/ Cox Automotive: https://www.coxautoinc.com/ Tune in for insights from Marianne’s enterprise leadership playbook, including: Why the leadership job is shifting from being the best explorer to being the cartographer Her philosophy of “start with crazy and work backwards” How Cox Automotive moved from “data first, AI enabled” to “AI first, data differentiated” Why every business needs a “control plane” for agentic AI How she builds relationships “all the way down” an organization Why leadership is a team sport Balancing high standards with high care Featuring submitted questions from: Barry McCarthy, President & CEO, Deluxe Chris Dillon, VP, Infrastructure & Operations Platforms, Cox Automotive Inc. Elaine Baker, EVP, Global Operations & Financial Protection, Global Payments Inc. Shawna Easley, Senior Director, Product Management, Cox Automotive Inc. Mitch Gersten, CIO, Cox Automotive Inc. Keith Ferrazzi, NYT Best-Selling Author, Founder of Ferrazzi Greenlight

July 29, 202655 min

Helping Others Thrive: How Great Leaders Navigate Turbulence Together

While many leaders spend their careers trying to avoid uncertainty, GE Aerospace CIO David Burns has built his by embracing it. After more than 25 years leading through transformation, disruption, and some of the biggest moments in modern business and technology, David has developed a leadership philosophy rooted in continuous learning, developing people, and helping teams thrive when the path ahead is anything but clear. In this episode of Tech Whisperers , we are shining the light on David’s journey and exploring what it takes to lead through turbulence, build high-performing teams, create a culture of continuous improvement, and use AI to accelerate both innovation and business outcomes. Connect with David: http://linkedin.com/in/david-andrew-burns GE Aerospace: https://www.geaerospace.com/ Tune in for David’s expert insights, including: How GE's leadership culture develops confident, adaptable technology leaders What it means to be both an exceptional operator and an innovative CIO in the age of AI How continuous learning helps leaders separate meaningful signals from constant noise Why coaching, trust, and authentic relationships are essential to building high-performing teams How GE Aerospace is using AI to accelerate customer value and continuous improvement Practical leadership lessons for navigating uncertainty with confidence and clarity Featuring submitted questions from: Alf Cherry, CIO, Commercial Engines & Services, GE Aerospace Monica Caldas, Global CIO, Liberty Mutual Insurance, Episode 59 Guest Dinakar Deshmukh, VP, Data Science & Analytics, GE Aerospace James Ross, Chief Digital Technology Officer, Phillips 66 Ehren Powell, Chief Digital Officer, Jim Fowler, Chief Technology & Product Officer, Lumen Technologies

July 8, 20261 hr 3 min

What Would Jane Do? Leadership Lessons from a Hall of Fame CIO

Jane Connell began her career without a college degree and no pre-determined path to executive leadership. Yet through grit, curiosity, authenticity, and an unwavering belief that leadership is ultimately about people, she has built one of the most respected careers in technology. In this episode, we are shining the light on Jane’s remarkable journey ahead of her induction into the CIO Hall of Fame. Through a diverse group of Mystery Questioners who help us answer the question “What Would Jane Do?” Jane is sharing the leadership philosophies, career-defining moments, and deeply personal lessons that shaped her four-decade legacy at organizations like Johnson & Johnson, State Street Bank, and Verizon. Connect with Jane: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-connell-b2377544/ Verizon: https://www.verizon.com/ Tune in for leadership wisdom from Jane, including: How her grit and curiosity formed the foundation for her leadership journey How authentic leadership and vulnerability became her greatest superpowers How to drive meaningful innovation by immersing yourself in the business Her First 100 Days Playbook for navigating complexity and building trust inside large organizations How to overcome resistance and lead transformation without creating enemies How AI is reshaping work, and why leaders must shift from org structures to workforce structures Why women are falling out of technology, and why Jane believes AI can become an equalizer Featuring submitted questions from: Ahmed Khan, Associate Director, Application Development, Verizon Velamur Sudharshan, SVP, Technology, Strategy & Architecture, Global Infrastructure & Security, Verizon Avi Arora, Senior Director, Strategy & Transformation, Verizon Geeta Mahindroo VP Corporate Systems, Verizon Tom Connell, Jane’s Husband Tyler Connell, Jane’s Son

June 10, 202659 min

Technology Isn’t the Hero: The Hard Truth About Leadership in the AI Era

While many leaders will put technology and innovation at the center of the story, Sal Companieh, Chief Digital & Information Officer at Cushman & Wakefield, keeps people, trust, and authentic relationships at the center instead. In this episode of Tech Whisperers, Sal sits down with host Dan Roberts for one of the most thoughtful leadership conversations we’ve ever featured. We’re unpacking Sal’s leadership playbook to learn how empathy, curiosity, trust, and human connection have become the foundation of innovation at scale inside a 53,000-person global organization. Connect with Sal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salumeh-companieh-9171531/ Cushman & Wakefield: https://www.cushmanwakefield.com/ Tune in for Sal’s expert insights, including: How Cushman & Wakefield uses its “AI Impact Barometer” How to identify patterns and build trust in a large organization Why it takes a strong CEO partnership to lead enterprise-wide transformation How to create an environment where people can bring their whole self to work How to stay grounded despite the pressures of leadership Featuring submitted questions from: Mia Mends, CEO of Cushman & Wakefield Services, Independent Director, H&R Block Board Victoria Malkin, President, Cushman & Wakefield, Americas Markets Miles Treaster, President, Cushman & Wakefield, Capital Markets Simon Springett, Chief Technology Officer, Cushman & Wakefield Kourosh Farboodmanesh, Co-Founder & COO of Trulo, Incoming Freshman at Duke, & Sal’s Amazing Son Diana McKenzie, Board Director, Advisor, 2x CIO, Sal’s Mentor Sandy Pudar, College Roommate & Long-Time Friend

May 20, 202651 min

Built for Change: Rewiring a 175-Year-Old Company for the AI Era

What does successful leadership look like in the age of AI, constant disruption, and accelerating change? In this episode, Dan Roberts sits down with Sears Merritt, CIO at MassMutual. Rather than chasing headlines, Sears has spent more than a decade building systems, teams, and cultures that consistently deliver impact, all while staying deeply grounded in purpose, accountability, and policyholder-first service. We are unpacking Sears’ leadership playbook to learn how MassMutual approaches innovation inside a 175-year-old institution, why adaptability is becoming a timeless leadership skill, and how organizations can create environments where breakthrough thinking naturally emerges. Connect with Sears: https://www.linkedin.com/in/searsmerritt/ MassMutual: https://www.massmutual.com/ Listen to learn valuable leadership insights, including: Why impact matters more than recognition or promotion How to create long-term trust and consistency with customers The most important leadership skills in the age of AI How to adapt your “learning rate” in periods of rapid change How focusing on outcomes instead of solutions can unlock innovation The value of a strong CEO-CIO partnership Featuring submitted questions from: Sharmila Ramar, CTO & Global Head of Enterprise Infrastructure Services, MassMutual Manoj Vallam, Head of HR Consulting, Enterprise Technology, & Experience, MassMutual Sara Biller, Co-Founder, FinTech Sandbox, Board Member Azer Bestavros, Associate Provost for Computing & Data Sciences, Boston University Josh Alwitt, Leadership & Organization Coach, Josh Alwitt Leadership

April 29, 202656 min

Coherence in the Chaos: How Leigh Ann Russell is Rewiring Leadership in the Age of AI

Today’s guest is a technology executive who has mastered the art of honoring a strong legacy while reinventing it in an era of massive disruption. Leigh-Ann Russell is the CIO and Global Head of Engineering at BNY, which was founded 240 years ago. In this episode, Leigh-Ann is opening up her leadership playbook and sharing her perspectives on how to lead through chaos with clarity, why coherence is her defining word for today’s AI era, and how organizations can balance trust, innovation, and transformation at scale. Connect with Leigh-Ann BNY Tune in for expert advice from Leigh-Ann, including: What it takes to safeguard trillions of dollars in assets How to build executive alignment around AI Overcoming AI fears Coherence as a leadership strategy The power of servant leadership Embracing a beginner’s mindset Featuring submitted questions from: Shannon Hobbs, Chief People Officer, BNY Adriana Marquez, VP Upstream Performance, BP Keith Ferrazzi, NYT Best Selling Author, Founder of Ferrazzi Greenlight, Episode 86 Guest Nastassja Hagan, Senior Director, COO, Engineering, BNY Rowan Eleanor Donachie, University Student, Overachiever

April 8, 202659 min

The Intangibles of Leadership – Turning the Invisible into Impact

This episode we’re sitting down with Sanjay Shringarpure, CIO at The Freeman Company, to unpack the intangibles of leadership . These are the qualities you can’t easily measure on a dashboard but are often the key difference between leaders who talk about transformation and those who actually achieve it. Over his two decades of technology leadership experience, Sanjay has built a strong track record of leading major digital transformation projects by drawing on his ability to foster collaboration while delivering innovative solutions. From decision velocity to creating a culture of extreme transparency, he has mastered the intangibles of leadership, and in this episode, he’s sharing how you can leverage them to become a true force multiplier for your company. Connect with Sanjay: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjay-shringarpure/ The Freeman Company: https://www.freeman.com/ Tune in for expert insights from Sanjay’s playbook, including: How to leverage speed and preparation to make an impact in the first 45 days The concept of healthy impatience and how to channel urgency without creating chaos Building a “roundtable” leadership team for healthy debate and growth Trust-building through integrity, sacrifice, and stacking micro wins early Balancing candor and compassion Knowing when to push, pause, or pivot through clarity of vision and transparency Developing courage and conviction when the answers aren’t obvious Building a culture where leaders grow leaders Instilling the “playing hurt” mindset to show up and lead through tough moments Featuring submitted questions from: Dan Jennings, SVP of IT, The Freeman Company Emily Xu, CDIO, EVP, RNDC Tarak Patel, CIO, Saia Paul Fletcher, COO of AV & Event Technology, The Freeman Company John Dickson, CISO, Insight Global Renee Pearson, CIO, Rollins

March 18, 202654 min

Denise Russell Fleming: Leading with Trust at Enterprise Scale

There is no better guest to celebrate our 100th Whisperers episode with than Denise Russell Fleming, CIO and EVP of Technology & Global Services at BD. Denise has built a remarkable career across telecom, aerospace, defense, and healthcare, leading large-scale transformation while staying laser-focused on three vital areas: purpose, people, and impact. Throughout her leadership journey, her ability to ensure clarity and deliver outcomes at scale has made her the go-to for orchestrating the most complex cross-company, high-stakes initiatives. Denise embodies everything it means to be a Tech Whisperer. In this episode, we’re unpacking her playbook, the experiences that shaped her career, and the lessons she’s learned—and that you can apply—from navigating complex transformations. Connect with Denise: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deniserussellfleming/ BD: https://www.bd.com/ Tune in for wisdom from Denise’s journey, including: Balancing executive responsibilities, community engagement, and personal growth The key to wearing multiple leadership hats simultaneously Finding alignment between enterprise strategy and IT investment Leading enterprise-scale transformation in highly regulated areas Featuring submitted questions from: Ted Colbert, Former President & CEO, Boeing Defense, Space, & Security Larry Quinlan, 11x Board Director, Former CIO, Whisperers Guest - Episode 7 Michael Bennett, Board Member, Former CIO Dani Brown, EVP & CIO, Whirlpool, 3x Board Director, Episode 4 Whisperers Guest Hermes Vallejo, VP of IT, Medical Segment NA, Marketing, R&D RAQA, BD Rona Bunn, CIO, NACD (National Assoc of Corp Directors), Episode 32 Guest Sabina Ewing, CIO, Business & Technology Services, Abbott, Episode 11 Guest Tony Ezell, President of the Americas & Chief Marketing Officer, BD Bharat Amin, 4x Board Member, Former CIO Earl Newsome, CIO, Cummins, Episode 71 Guest

February 25, 202658 min

What Transformative CTOs Do Differently: Mojgan Lefebvre on Leading in the Age of AI

What does it take to lead technology at enterprise scale in a world defined by AI, ambiguity, and nonstop disruption? That’s one of the big questions we’re exploring in this episode with guest Mojgan Lefebvre, EVP and Chief Technology & Operations Officer at Travelers. Since joining the property casualty insurer in 2018, Mojgan has been the driving force behind its digital and operational transformations, modernizing core platforms, strengthening customer experience, and enabling business growth through technology. Mojgan’s professional journey spans senior leadership roles across insurance, healthcare, consulting, and technology, with a perspective that’s been informed and expanded by her board experience and her passion for developing future-ready talent. From leaving Iran at 19 to leading a 15,000-person global tech and ops organization, she shares how her leadership philosophies were forged long before she ever held a title and why a human-centered approach to AI is the way forward. Connect with Mojgan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mojganlefebvre Travelers: https://www.travelers.com/ Tune in for practical insights from Mojgan’s playbook, including: The keys to fast execution at enterprise scale Leadership skills necessary for leading enterprise transformation How to balance innovation with optimization Using technology to improve customer experience The mindset and skillset for leading during transformation Featuring submitted questions from: Shelia Anderson, EVP, Chief Information & Digital Officer, Unum, Episode 87 Guest Marc Wood, CIO, Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Jason Galvin, SVP & CIO, Personal Insurance, Travelers Kamalesh Dwivedi, President & Partner, 3Lines Christine Kalla, EVP & General Counsel, Travelers Andreas Wetterwald, Chief Data & Analytics Officer, Travelers Kevin De Sa, SVP & CIO, Business Insurance, Travelers James McGlennon, EVP & Global CIO, Liberty Mutual (ret)

February 4, 202648 min

Proven Beyond a Reasonable Doubt: The Hall of Fame Career of Shelia Anderson

There are leaders who understand technology, and there are leaders who understand people, but when someone comes along who truly masters both, incredible things start to happen. Shelia Anderson , EVP and Chief Information & Digital Officer at Unum , is one of those rare and special leaders. A four-time CIO and Hall of Fame inductee, Shelia has built a career defined by transformation, resilience, and developing others. In this episode, we are unpacking Shelia’s playbook to learn about: Leading enterprise-scale transformations Recognizing when it’s time to step into a new environment Leading human-centered AI integration Attracting and retaining top talent Being a leader people want to follow even—and especially—in moments of high accountability Featuring submitted questions from: James McGlennon, EVP & Chief Information Officer (Ret.), Liberty Mutual Mojgan Lefebvre, VP & Chief Technology & Operations Officer, Travelers Matt Keane, VP Data Science & AI, Enterprise Value Stream Builder, Head of Innovation Kelley Kage, SVP & Chief Information Officer, Employers Insurance Andrew Walker, Chief Customer Operations Officer, Unum Group