#shifthappens in the Digital Workplace Podcast

AI is reshaping how work gets done — but the deeper shift is where control sits. Increasingly, that control lives in the browser. 

In this episode of #shifthappens, Arunesh Chandra, Head of Product for Microsoft Edge for Business, breaks down how the browser has evolved into the environment where employees access information, interact with tools, and engage with AI. As this layer takes on greater responsibility, it brings...

AI is already shaping how data in healthcare is accessed, exchanged, and used across clinical, operational, and development workflows. 

In this episode of #shifthappens, Kuma Partner and Executive Vice President of Privacy & Security Jenn Johnson explains why traditional governance approaches are being stretched — and where leaders need to respond differently. Drawing on real-world experience, Jenn outlines how establ...

Most organizations treat AI adoption as a technology rollout. However, the ones gaining traction treat it as a leadership and culture challenge. In this episode of #shifthappens, Monica French, USA SMB Director at Microsoft, shares what she's hearing directly from small business leaders navigating AI — and why the human side of adoption is where most initiatives either accelerate or stall. 

Monica draws on frontline conve...

Security frameworks and regulations may change, but the underlying challenge stays the same: Many organizations still struggle to understand their data — how it moves, where it lives, and who is responsible for protecting it. 

In this #shifthappens episode, Summit 7 Systems CEO Scott Edwards explores what today’s defense and government supply chains reveal about security readiness, using Cybersecurity Maturity Model...

Zero Trust is a responsibility leaders choose to own. 

In this #shifthappens episode, we’re joined by Nicolas Blank, CTO of NBConsult, to unpack why most security programs fail before technology even enters the picture. 

Through analogies and real‑world examples, Nicolas explains why Zero Trust starts with leadership alignment, emotional buy‑in, and clear guardrails. The conversation explores what “assume breach...

Cybersecurity now runs on data, and that dependence is reshaping how organizations think about privacy, risk, and governance. As teams collect more signals to detect threats, long‑standing assumptions about how data should be limited, shared, and protected are being tested. 

In this episode of #shifthappens, Bojana Bellamy, President of the Centre for Information Policy Leadership (CIPL), discusses why privacy and cybersecurity...

Most AI strategies struggle not because the technology is immature, but because organizations treat AI as a technical upgrade instead of an organizational shift. 

In this episode of #shifthappens, Bud Caddell, Founder of NOBL, shares what he’s seeing inside large, complex enterprises in 2026. From the repeated mistakes of the first digital transformation to the week‑by‑week acceleration of AI capability, Bud explains why ...

What if AI could do more than automate tasks—what if it could transform how your organization solves problems, builds trust, and drives innovation? In this episode of #shifthappens, Erin Rollenhagen, Founder and CEO of People-Friendly Tech, shares a bold blueprint for leaders: start with what truly matters to your people, simplify relentlessly, and turn compliance into a launchpad for creativity. Discover how ethical, user-ce...

AI is everywhere, but turning it into lasting value is a challenge for every organization. In this episode of #shifthappens, Claire Engels, Senior Manager for Collaboration Experience & Productivity at Versuni, shares how to make AI adoption practical, sustainable, and people-first. From building momentum with small wins to keeping teams engaged beyond the initial rollout, Claire explores what it takes to move AI from hype to h...

Greg van der Gaast, cybersecurity leader and founder of Sequoia Consulting, shares why modern security keeps failing — and it’s not because attackers are getting smarter. Drawing from his path from teenage hacker to government witness to CISO, Greg reveals how weak IT foundations, broken processes, and poor data habits create the conditions for most breaches. He explains why security must be treated as a quality discipl...

Ally Ward, M365 Product and Platform Services Manager at a leading global law firm, shares how innovation takes shape in one of the most complex business environments for this #shifthappens episode. 

Managing technology across regions, regulations, and cultures, Ally leads the firm’s strategy for responsible AI and collaboration at scale. She discusses how data-driven adoption, strong governance, and an inclusive approach...

How do you thrive when cultural expectations, career pivots, and global moves collide? In this episode of #shifthappens, we sit down with Angela Chen, Microsoft’s Communications Lead, podcast host, and mentor to the next generation of tech talent. Angela shares how growing up in an Asian cultural context shaped her views on personal branding, why mentorship must be a two-way street, and how she redefined work-life balance int...

In this #shifthappens episode, Travis Hann, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Pender & Howe and Board Member at Kestria, shares how AI is transforming executive search — without replacing the human judgment that defines great leadership. From the cost of a bad hire to the traits that set modern leaders apart, Travis discusses why curiosity, humility, and storytelling matter more than ever, and how balancing innovation wi...

Work today feels busier than ever, and yet, we’re all expected to do more. That tension between what people can give and what organizations demand is what Shawn Villaron calls the “capacity chasm.” 

In this episode of #shifthappens, Microsoft’s Vice President of Customer and Strategic Initiatives in the Office Product Group, Shawn Villaron, shares how AI can help bridge that gap by empowering people, not...

Autonomy in tech is already changing how we move. In this episode, Michael Kelly, Chief Strategy Officer of Mozee, shares how people-first technology is making urban transportation safer, more efficient, and more connected. Michael discusses the practical realities of deploying autonomous vehicles, the importance of building trust with communities, and how these advances in mobility are inspiring new ways to think about technology&...

In this #shifthappens episode, Ghazenfer Mansoor, CEO and founder of Technology Rivers, shares how real AI adoption in healthcare starts with trust, not tech. From HIPAA-first design to clinician-led workflows, Ghazenfer reveals why starting small, designing for compliance, and embedding AI invisibly into operations are the keys to scaling transformation in the industry. He also dives into the ethical challenges of bias, the strate...

Plastic pollution is an environmental crisis and a leadership challenge. In this episode of #shifthappens, we sit down with Nanette Medved Po, founder of HOPE and Plastic Credit Exchange (PCX), to talk about what it takes to move from pledges to action. From failed treaty negotiations to grassroots innovation, Nanette shares how governments, businesses, and individuals can take real responsibility for their plastic footprint. We co...

Virtual CMO for B2B Tech Companies Mark Donnigan shares his philosophy: Don’t compete – create. In this #shifthappens episode, Mark explains how it’s not the perfect plan that wins in the AI era but the team that can move fast and keep improving. He reveals how to reshape marketing teams into nimble “marketing pods,” hand repetitive work to AI, and give people more time for the creative, strategic work...

Thriving in the partner ecosystem takes more than great tech. In this episode of #shifthappens, Vince Menzione, founder of Ultimate Partner and former Microsoft executive, shares what it takes to succeed in a hyperscaler-driven economy. From the rise of agentic AI to the evolution of co-selling and marketplace strategies, Vince unpacks how companies can navigate constant disruption. With decades’ worth of experience, he remin...