Optics in Action

Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the Senior Vice President and Managing Partner of Kyndryl, Onofrio Pirrotta. With over two decades in the tech industry, Onofrio's motivation stems from witnessing the tangible changes technology can bring to businesses. He likens his work to that of an architect or a builder, finding immense satisfaction in designing solutions and seeing them come to fruition.

Kyndryl, as Onofrio described, is a g...

Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the President of Team ODEA, Patty Rioux. Patty's journey is a testament to the power of passion and curiosity. With a background in journalism and a natural affinity for the creative aspects of marketing, Patty has built a career on her love of words and her desire to stand out in the market.

In working with various B2B organizations, Patty has observed that the common denominator across these indus...

Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the Director of Product Management of Change Healthcare, Alexander Dawson. Alex recounted his journey into the realm of software product management. Raised by a father who was a software engineer, Alex's childhood was steeped in technology. He fondly recalled how his early experiences with coding and game development sparked his fascination with understanding user preferences and creating valuable,...

Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the Global Credibility Expert of, Mitchell Levy. Ryan's journey began with a simple yet profound question: Why credibility? Mitchell's response was deeply personal. He traced his focus on credibility back to his childhood, specifically to the time when his parents divorced. This event led him to ponder the role and integrity of a father figure. For Mitchell, this early questioning of integrity laid...

Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the Co-President of Chicago Glue & Machine, Nirel Inman. Nirel is someone who truly understands the value of a positive work environment. She shared her passion for finding purpose and happiness, both in her personal life and within her role at Chicago Glue & Machine. She stressed the importance of setting boundaries and surrounding oneself with people who energize and bring joy. This philo...

Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the President of LaBov & Beyond Marketing Communications, Barry LaBov. Barry's passion for marketing is rooted in a profound understanding of what makes each company unique. His firm specializes in working with manufacturers to unearth the distinctiveness of their products and services. But what sets Barry's approach apart is his emphasis on connecting this uniqueness to the company's employees...

Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the President, Dr. Donna Marino. Donna's story is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. The loss of her father in the tragic events of 9/11 became a catalyst for her to make a positive impact in the world. This profound experience shaped her mission to work with family businesses and leadership, fostering an environment where family, loyalty, and community care are paramount.

Donna explored the unique...

Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the Executive Vice President of The Pickle Juice Company, Filip Keuppens. For Filip and his team at the Pickle Juice Company, their mission is to create sustainable, relevant solutions that genuinely matter. Their unique go-to-market strategy blends traditional consumer packaged goods (CPG) theories with mission-based and experiential approaches. But it's not just about the product—it's about makin...

Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the Founder of Labor Titan, Jason Krantz. Jason's journey from a corporate role to entrepreneurship was fueled by a deep-seated desire to help others. He recognized early on that while many sought assistance, few knew how to effectively harness the power of information. His career blossomed around the concept of leveraging data and analytics to aid decision-making, a path that led him to establish ...

Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the Member Engagement of Illinois Manufacturers'​ Association, Maria Moran. Maria's journey to the IMA is fascinating, starting from her days as a respiratory therapist, which she humorously notes was "before it was cool." Her transition into the manufacturing space and dive into lean methodology showcases a career built on improving processes and fostering efficiency. This background fuels her dai...

Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the Chief Growth Officer of NaviStone, Ted Bray. Ted's philosophy is simple yet profound: it's all about people, teams, alignment, and achievement. His passion for working with amazing people to accomplish amazing things is what drives him. This ethos was evident from his days playing basketball, where the joy came not from winning championships but from being part of a team and contributing to a c...

Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the Co-Founder and Principal of PTIS Global, Brian Wagner. Mentorship is a powerful tool, and Ryan has been incredibly fortunate to have Brian as his mentor. His expertise in packaging, business, and strategy has been invaluable to Ryan's growth. Reflecting on their relationship, Ryan is reminded of a mentoring weekend that was pivotal in his career. Brian introduced Ryan to concepts that have sinc...

Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the CEO of Mogul Realty Group, James Knull. James' story is one of evolution and passion. He began as an investor, which gave him a unique perspective on the real estate industry. This experience was the catalyst for his transition into becoming a realtor, eventually leading to the establishment of Mogul Realty Group. With headquarters in Alberta and a secondary office in Vancouver, his company has...

Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with Infrastructure Technology Leader, Brian Hale. Brian's path into technology is a story of passion and purpose. From his early experiences tinkering with technology to his drive to help people, Brian's career is a testament to where curiosity and a service mindset can lead. His journey reminds us that at the heart of technology lies the potential to solve real-world problems and improve lives.

One of ...

Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the CEO and Project Manager of Norhart, Mike Kaeding. Mike unveiled the ambitious goal of Norhart: to achieve a staggering 50% reduction in construction costs. This isn't just a lofty dream; it's a necessary response to America's escalating housing affordability crisis. Norhart isn't just building apartments; they're crafting a future where more people can afford a place to call home.

Mike's drive i...

Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the Founder and CEO of Shift Financial Insights, Spencer Sheinin. Spencer's journey is nothing short of inspiring. With a rich background as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Spencer has navigated various entrepreneurial waters, owning and managing businesses across diverse industries, from manufacturing to construction and even a cold storage venture. However, despite his success, Spencer faced...

Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the CEO of teambuilding.com, Michael Alexis. Michael shared the compelling mission behind teambuilding.com: to foster happiness at work on a massive scale, touching the lives of individuals along the way. The company, renowned for its corporate team-building events, boasts an impressive clientele including tech giants like Google, Apple, and Amazon, as well as esteemed organizations such as NASA an...

Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the Founder and CEO of Vonza, Uyi Abraham. Uyi's journey is nothing short of remarkable. Born and raised in Nigeria, he arrived in America with just $100 and a suitcase of clothes. His initial job at a movie theater, earning $6.15 an hour, was a stark contrast to the life he knew back home, where most people live on less than $2 a day. Uyi's perspective on wealth was transformed, and he quickly rea...

Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the Founder of Norwood Energy Corp, Grant Norwood. The conversation began with a question that resonates with many: "Why do you do what you do?" Grant's response was as unexpected as it was captivating. He likened his work in the energy sector to treasure hunting. Grant's treasure lies deep beneath the earth's surface, where signs and science can only predict so much before the drill reveals the tr...