Shift & Thrive: CEO Insights on Driving Change

What does it take to shift from a consulting model to a tech-driven product in a traditionally risk-averse industry like food safety? In this episode of Shift and Thrive, Natalie Nathanson interviews Karim Khinouche, founder and CEO of Novolyze, about his journey from industrial engineer to food safety innovator. Karim shares how his company evolved from a consulting firm into a scalable tech platform, the misconceptions s...

What does it take to lead with confidence, navigate acquisitions, and build a high-performing team? In this episode, Natalie sits down with Craig Dunham, CEO of Voltron Data, to discuss his career journey, leadership philosophy, and the key lessons he’s learned along the way. Craig shares insights from his time as CEO of Lumar and GM at Guild Education, as well as his experience leading Seismic through the acquisition of V...

What does it take to scale a sales organization, navigate rapid growth, and lead with innovation? In this episode, Natalie interviews Ben Eisenberg, CEO of People Data Labs, about his journey from intern to CEO. They discuss his unique go-to-market strategies, leadership philosophy, and the power of customer feedback in product development. Ben shares insights on hiring, measuring success, and fostering a meritocratic cult...

How can leaders drive innovation while staying true to their core mission, especially in times of rapid change? In this episode of Shift and Thrive, Natalie sits down with Sarah Lehman, CEO of Zartico, to discuss leadership, innovation, and the power of data-driven decision-making. Sarah shares her journey from leading technology companies to transforming Zartico’s approach during the COVID-19 pandemic, shifting from data ...

What does it take to live a life of courage, risk, and purpose? In this episode, Natalie sits down with John Graham, adventurer, author, and activist, to explore the power of bold decisions, from negotiating high-stakes diplomacy to surviving a burning ship. John shares insights on leadership, integrity, and the transformative impact of storytelling, leaving listeners with a compelling call to embrace risk and meaning in t...

What mindset shift does it take to go from being a founder to a truly effective CEO? In this episode of Shift and Thrive, Natalie sits down with Richard Walker, CEO of Quik!, to explore his evolution from launching his first business at 12 to leading a company focused on revolutionizing digital forms processing. We dive into the power of visionary servant leadership, the tough decisions that come with scaling a business, a...

Entrepreneur Debo Onifade, CEO of DelonApps and DelonJobs, shares how he pivoted his company from hardware to digital services, scaling to 200 employees in under four years. He discusses his coaching-based leadership style, niche market strategy, and the lessons he’s learned from rapid growth. He also reflects on the importance of adaptability, investing in young talent, and building strong partnerships for long-term succe...

How can small businesses balance investing in marketing and technology while navigating economic downturns and staying ahead of industry trends? In this episode, Natalie interviews Nathan Whittacre, founder and CEO of Stimulus Technologies, about his journey from starting a business at 11 to leading a successful IT firm. He shares insights on organic growth through referrals, the importance of investing in marketing and sa...

How can AI-driven robotics transform logistics and supply chain operations while overcoming the challenges of real-world unpredictability? In this episode, Natalie sits down with Samir Menon, founder and CEO of Dexterity, to explore his journey as an entrepreneur and leader in the robotics industry. They discuss the evolution of "physical AI," how Dexterity is revolutionizing logistics with AI-driven robotics, and the chal...

On this episode of Shift and Thrive: CEO Insights on Driving Change, Natalie interviews Sriram Subramanian, co-founder, and CEO of Link to Any. They talk about his journey from senior roles at PayPal and HP to building a SaaS platform that streamlines integration for SMBs in the hospitality, retail, and service industries. Sriram shares insights on sales, product innovation, and leadership—emphasizing autonomy, cultural fi...

How can IoT revolutionize industries, enhance safety, and drive innovation in a rapidly evolving tech landscape? In this episode of Shift and Thrive, Natalie sits down with Kelly Ireland, a trailblazing tech entrepreneur with 40 years of experience in IT. As the founder, CEO, and CTO of CBT, Kelly shares her journey from self-taught programmer to industry leader, highlighting her company’s strategic pivot to IoT over the p...

What if the key to unlocking groundbreaking innovation wasn’t just about hiring the right talent or hosting occasional brainstorming sessions, but rather about fundamentally reshaping how organizations operate? In this episode of Shift and Thrive, Natalie sits down with Daniel Theobald, a visionary in robotics and a pioneer in fostering innovation within organizations. Daniel shares invaluable insights on how businesses ca...

How can businesses leverage technology to simplify food donations while building strong partnerships with nonprofits to tackle food insecurity more effectively? In this episode of the Shift and Thrive podcast, Natalie interviews Kimberly Smith, CEO of Copia, a company revolutionizing food donation through technology. Kimberly shares how Copia automates surplus food redistribution, simplifying the donation process for busin...

How does the transition from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship shape an approach to innovation, leadership, and global impact? This week on Shift & Thrive: CEO Insights on Driving Change, we delve into the inspiring journey of Laurent Canneva, CEO and founder of Spare-It, a groundbreaking SaaS platform revolutionizing waste management. From his corporate leadership roles at Sanofi Genzyme to earning the 2024 Exc...

How can leaders navigate change, drive organizational alignment, and leverage emerging technologies like GenAI to stay customer-focused in today’s evolving tech landscape? In this episode of Shift & Thrive, Natalie sits down with Ronen Schwartz, CEO of K2View and a seasoned leader in cloud storage, data management, and technological innovation. From his transformative leadership at NetApp, where he grew the cloud stora...

In this episode of Shift & Thrive, host Natalie sits down with Matt Darrow, CEO and co-founder of Vivun, to explore his journey from consulting to leading innovations in AI sales engineering. Matt shares insights on transforming Vivun’s SaaS offerings into AI-native solutions, navigating organizational change, and maintaining leadership vision during times of transition. From his global upbringing to risk-taking hobbie...

In this week’s episode of Shift and Thrive, Natalie sits down with Saket Saurabh, Co-Founder and CEO of Nexla. Saket, a seasoned entrepreneur and technologist, shares his journey from his early days at NVIDIA to leading a Gartner Cool Vendor company. They explore the massive impact of generative AI, how it reshaped businesses, and the importance of data integration. Saket offers deep insights into fostering an innovative c...

Today, we are revisiting our conversation with Konstantin Vilk, Founder and CEO of UnPwnAble (formerly LinkTempo). Konstantin shares his journey from launching tech startups to pioneering innovations in cybersecurity and data management. He discusses the importance of customer insights, organizational alignment, and diverse perspectives in solving complex challenges. This episode dives into applying biological models t...

In this episode of Shift Thrive, Natalie sits down with a distinguished guest, Matt McCrann, CEO of DroneShield. Throughout the conversation, they explore the intricacies of driving major organizational changes, the importance of a clear vision, and aligning teams for successful innovation. Matt shares insights on hiring the right talent, fostering a growth mindset, and building a dynamic team capable of rapid adaptation. ...