Humor In The C-Suite

What does it look like when a shy kid who hated networking accidentally builds a game with 200 million players, survives corporate lawsuits, charms tax inspectors into forgetting why they came, and learns to lead by doing? That's Jeroen Derwort's story. In this episode of Humor in the C Suite, Kate Davis sits down with the former CEO of Gamebasics to explore how humor, humility, and a very healthy relationship with imperf...

What does leadership look like when your boardroom is a remote jungle and your team is scattered across time zones navigating geopolitical complexity? For Lisa Pagotto, founder of Crooked Compass, it looks like authenticity, resilience, and a finely tuned sense of humor. In this episode of Humor in the C Suite, Kate Davis sits down with Lisa to explore how the principles that make Crooked Compass extraordinary — cultural respect, g...

What if one joke — sent on a Friday morning — could remind someone they matter? What if three words from a stage could stop someone from ending their life? Greg Kettner has seen both happen. In this episode of Humor in the C Suite, Kate Davis sits down with her old comedy circuit friend turned keynote speaker to explore the unexpected intersection of humor and mental health — and why the leaders who get this right are the ones thei...

Episode Summary

What happens when the person who's been protecting everyone else forgets to protect herself? For Isabelle Tremblay, the answer was burnout so complete she couldn't draft a simple email. In this episode of Humor in the C Suite, Kate Davis sits down with Isabelle to trace the arc from 24 years of high-pressure global brand leadership to a full reinvention — and the role humor, empathy, and heart played in eve...

What happens in the silence when nobody laughs? That question sits at the heart of this conversation between Kate Davis and Scott Burgmeyer, founder and CEO of the Become More Group. Scott has spent over three decades moving through manufacturing, technology, HR, and consulting — and in all of it, he's learned that humor isn't decoration. It's infrastructure. Used well, it builds trust, opens people up, and makes it ...

What does summer camp have to do with building a high-performing workplace? According to Matt Kaufman — everything. In this episode of Humor in the C Suite, Kate Davis sits down with Matt to explore how the conditions that make camp transformational — safety, humor, vulnerability, and shared challenge — map directly onto what the best workplace cultures are built on. From managing 500 employees to raising a two-year-old at home, Ma...

In this inspiring episode of "Humor in the C Suite," Kate Davis welcomes Bruce Mayhew, corporate trainer and author of the newly released book "The Path of an Inspired Leader." Bruce shares his journey from 11 years at Scotiabank (where he helped launch debit cards) to becoming a sought-after leadership trainer specializing in authentic communication and team building.

The conversation explores how Bruce uses hum...

In this episode of "Humor in the C Suite," host Kate Davis takes a retrospective look at the year 2025 to extract key lessons about humor's role in leadership. Kate reflects on recurring questions from listeners concerning the effectiveness of humor in building strong workplace cultures and its impact on trust, collaboration, and productivity. With over 50 episodes behind her, Kate is poised to usher in 2026 with a s...

Host Kate Davis sits down with Bill G. Williams, affectionately known as Electric Bill, to explore the powerful role humor can play in transforming corporate culture. The conversation delves into Bill's personal journey, highlighting his struggles with perfectionism and self-acceptance rooted in his early experiences. Through humor, Bill has learned to embrace love over fear and build more profound connections within teams. Hi...

In this episode of Humor in the C Suite, host Kate Davis converses with Frank Brown, a respected business executive with a rich history in international markets. Frank shares humorous anecdotes and insightful lessons from his 43-year career that began with a chance job as a sales rep and culminated in his role as President of Wall Canada. His journey is filled with unexpected turns, wise advice, and a steadfast belief in the power ...

In this engaging episode of Humor in the C Suite, Kate Davis interviews Steve Carey, a media industry veteran known for his unique blend of humor and expertise in launching media startups. With over two decades of experience, Steve shares his journey from starting as a coffee-fetching runner to becoming a successful producer and business owner, adding humorous anecdotes and insights along the way. Now living in Surrey, UK, Carey co...

In this exciting episode of "Humor in the C Suite," host Kate Davis welcomes Matthew Hill, a distinguished leadership trainer known for intertwining humor with actionable communication strategies. The discussion delves into how humor can transform work culture, augmenting communication with confidence and clarity. 

Matthew Hill shares his philosophy of enhancing communication skills within organizations by addressing confi...

In this engaging episode of "Humor in the C Suite," host Kate Davis chats with John Preston about the intersection of humor and business strategy. John, an accomplished television professional turned entrepreneur and sales coach, shares his journey from the newsroom to founding JP Business Academy. He introspects on how humor plays a crucial role in making business concepts more approachable and education digestible for e...

In this engaging episode of "Humor in the C Suite," host Kate Davis invites Tariq Munir to share his insights on leveraging humor in leadership roles. Tariq, with his profound experience in digital transformation and finance, explains how humor has been a pivotal element in his journey from a conventional finance role to a dynamic advisor and keynote speaker. Their conversation sheds light on the significance of humor in ...

In this episode of "Humor in the C Suite," host Kate Davis welcomes resilience expert Russell Harvey. Throughout the episode, Russell elaborates on the intricacies of resilience coaching, emphasizing the balance between creativity and pragmatism. He explains how humor can be a powerful tool for leaders, facilitating open-mindedness and improved team dynamics, even in complex or challenging situations. By sharing personal ...

Welcome to "Humor in the C Suite," where host Kate Davis explores how humor can transform work cultures with guest Dominic George, an expert in leadership coaching for black men. In this week's episode, Dominic shares insights from his extensive career in coaching, including how he integrates humor into his work to foster trust and relatability among leaders. With a background from Columbia University and a mission-b...

In this episode of "Humor in the C Suite," host Kate Davis interviews Dr. Ute Liersch, a seasoned psychologist known for her distinct approach to leadership and resilience. The conversation weaves through Dr. Liersch's eclectic career, from being dismissed as not "clever enough" for university to achieving remarkable success in the realms of psychology and business. Her compelling story and professional jou...

What if laughter could be your secret weapon for better leadership? International comedy expert Stefano Iaboni has spent over 20 years proving that humor isn't just entertainment—it's a powerful business tool that drives innovation, reduces stress, and builds stronger teams.

As founder of Smile Solution, Stefano works with tech companies and startups to transform workplace culture through strategic humor. His approach usin...

In this episode of "Humor in the C Suite," host Kate Davis welcomes Lizzie Schreier, an esteemed veteran in digital transformation and strategy. Kate and Lizzie delve into the intriguing intersection of leadership, humor, and digital innovation, exploring how humor plays a pivotal role in fostering an extraordinary work culture. Lizzie shares her vibrant career path, recounting her diverse experiences across various secto...