Tools for Tech Leaders

Every AI guardrail gets broken, but that's not the real problem.

Cybersecurity framework creator Sounil Yu reveals why traditional security approaches fail in the knowledge age and how enterprise AI deployments create dangerous "oversharing" vulnerabilities that most organizations don't even recognize.

Learn the DIKW pyramid framework for understanding AI risks, discover why your security team...

Michael Seibel, partner emeritus at Y Combinator, reveals how founders can thrive in the rapidly changing AI landscape by discarding outdated assumptions and embracing new possibilities.

Drawing from his experience supporting thousands of startups, Seibel explains why traditional office hours remain critical for redirecting founder focus and unlocking transformative insights. He shares compelling examples of how AI is revolutionizi...

Digital infrastructure is at a critical turning point. Kris Lovejoy, security & resiliency global practice leader at Kyndryl, reveals why organizations must fundamentally reimagine their approach to security in an era of unprecedented volatility.

Discover why some financial institutions are reversing course from public cloud, how European technology sovereignty efforts are reshaping global tech strategy, a...

HR executive Melanie Hughes reveals why most leaders fail at creating lasting cultural change by focusing on what's urgent instead of what's important. 

Drawing from 20+ years of experience at startups and Fortune 500 companies, she shares practical frameworks for developing high-potential talent, making strategic decisions that stick, and implementing just enough structure to accelerate growth without cre...

MIT Principal Research Scientist Dr. Keri Pearlson reveals why traditional cybersecurity approaches fail and how organizations can build true cyber resilience beyond technical solutions.

Drawing from her extensive research with Fortune 500 companies and government agencies, she shares practical frameworks for creating a security-conscious culture, conducting effective tabletop exercises, and rebuilding cus...

Bob van Lujit, CEO of vector database pioneer Weaviate, reveals how technical founders can successfully transition to effective business leaders by mastering three core responsibilities: articulating vision, building exceptional teams, and securing funding.

Bob shares his counterintuitive approach to customer-centricity through "empathy" rather than "obsession," and explains how young founders bring fresh ...

Your customer success strategy might be creating more problems than it solves. 

Customer success veteran Pete Oelschlaeger, who has led CS teams at Tanium, Contrast Security, and now Ambient AI, reveals why traditional organizational structures create dangerous blind spots where customer issues fall through the cracks. 

Learn how to identify when your organization is just talking about custome...

Former Indiegogo CEO Becky Center shares hard-earned lessons from her journey through Groupon's hypergrowth, her transition to first-time CEO, and her experience leading teams through modern tech's most pressing challenges. 

Gain practical frameworks for avoiding the "hobby role" trap, leveraging remote work to level the leadership playing field, and building powerful alumni networks that strengthen your o...

Meirav Oren, co-founder and chairwoman of Versatile, left Intel to build a company that’s transforming the construction industry through data-driven innovation.

Crane-mounted sensor and vision systems are revolutionizing  job site safety and efficiency, while delivering pivotal insights on operational success.

Meirav delves into practical leadership tools and frameworks, "open by default" comm...

Can you teach plants to communicate? In this episode, hear about Shely Aronov’s journey, CEO of InnerPlant, from launching a food brand to creating biotech crops that send signals about their stress and health to farmers. Shely shares lessons on leadership, the pivotal role of strategy, and the evolving hiring needs of startups—from scrappy generalists to industry experts.

Discover how InnerPlant uses cutt...

In this episode, Dr. Carole Robin, renowned for leading Stanford's famous "Interpersonal Dynamics" course, shares powerful insights on building exceptional relationships in tech leadership. Known as the "Queen of Touchy Feely," Dr. Robin breaks down why interpersonal skills are often more challenging—and more crucial—than technical expertise in building successful organizations.

The conversation offers con...

Ian sits down with Nick Halla, a pioneering farmer/engineer-turned-entrepreneur who helped build the groundbreaking company Impossible Foods from the ground up. Nick shares fascinating insights from his journey starting as a "croissant engineer" at General Mills to becoming the first employee at Impossible Foods, where he worked alongside founder Pat Brown for 11 years to revolutionize the food industry through sustain...

In this episode of Tools for Tech Leaders, Ian sits down with Oscar, Emmy, and Peabody-winning filmmaker Bill Guttentag to explore the art of drawing out meaningful stories and insights from leaders. Bill shares his experience conducting compelling interviews, sharing techniques to help create the right environment to ask questions that reveal genuine, illustrative moments. They discuss how his work interv...

Ian sits down with ex-McKinsey Executive Coach Jess Yuen to explore critical leadership topics including performance management, strategic thinking, and coaching. Drawing from her extensive experience as a former Chief People Officer and McKinsey consultant, Jess breaks down multiple approaches to executive coaching, shares frameworks for giving effective feedback, and discusses how to handle both high per...

Jerry Perullo, former Chief Information Security Officer at Intercontinental Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange, shares invaluable insights from his extensive career in cybersecurity, including his experiences at Silicon Valley Bank and his current venture, Adversarial Risk Management. Jerry offered practical advice on conducting effective red team exercises, managing critical infrastructure security...

Zack Urlocker, a seasoned tech executive with an impressive track record at companies like MySQL, Zendesk, and Duo Security, shares his invaluable insights from his journey scaling businesses from early-stage startups to industry leaders. This episode explores the evolution of open source business models, the challenges of rapid growth in SaaS companies, and the critical importance of prioritizing reliabil...

In this episode of Tools for Tech Leaders, Ian speaks with Mark Leslie, the founding CEO of Veritas Software and a legendary figure in Silicon Valley. Mark shares invaluable insights from his remarkable journey scaling Veritas from a $64 million valuation at IPO to over $64 billion. The conversation delves into Mark's strategic approach to business transformation, his philosophy on leadership and trust-bui...