In the middle of massive transformation, one question keeps surfacing in every boardroom:

Are we behind on AI?

Kelly Fisher, Chief Practice Partner at Wipfli, hears it from leaders every day.

Her answer reframes the conversation:

“AI isn’t replacing your expertise — it’s amplifying it.”

She calls it "Amplified Expertise" — the idea that AI, when used intentionally, helps leaders and their teams make smarter decisions, deliver deeper insights, and free up time for what truly matters.

For CIOs and technology leaders, that means:

-Modeling adoption instead of delegating it.

-Building readiness — data, infrastructure, and culture — so your teams can move from experimentation to enterprise-level execution.

-Guiding with empathy as people adapt to new tools and new expectations.

Kelly also reminded us that innovation starts with people, not platforms

“Bring the joy back to the work that got you in the game in the first place.”

A simple but powerful call to every leader navigating AI and digital transformation today.

Follow Kelly on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-m-fisher-jd-cpa-mst-9258b23/

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The episode is powered by Hexaware: The IT services company creating smiles through great people and technology.

Go here to learn more: https://hexaware.com/

We live in a world overflowing with dashboards, KPIs, and reports.

But here’s the hard truth: the numbers don’t always tell you the full story.

Rich Brown, Business Transformation Director at LV=, shared a lesson every leader needs to hear:

👉 Early in his career, all the stats said a project was on track.

👉 But his gut told him something wasn’t right.

👉 He ignored it — and later wished he had.

That moment changed his leadership forever.

Now, he always digs deeper when that nagging doubt shows up.

Because while data is essential, instinct is the missing signal.

As leaders, especially CIOs, the pressure to be “data-driven” is immense.

But true transformation comes when you:

-Trust your gut AND the spreadsheets

-Ask the uncomfortable questions

-Lean into intuition as a strategic asset

Your people, your culture, and your instincts will often surface the truth before the metrics do.

Because at the end of the day — it’s not just about technology or process. It’s about people.

💡 How often do you trust your gut as a leader, even when the numbers say otherwise?

Follow Rich on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ribrown/

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The episode is powered by Hexaware: The IT services company creating smiles through great people and technology.

Go here to learn more: https://hexaware.com/

From help desk to CIO. That’s the remarkable journey of Mike Ryan, Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Wintrust Financial Corporation.

In this episode, Mike reveals how he transformed his career from marketing to IT leadership, ultimately rising to the C-suite after nearly three decades at Wintrust.

Along the way, he embraced risks, learned through failure, and carried forward the leadership wisdom and advice of a true mentorswho believed in him.

You’ll discover:

-The pivotal moment that launched Mike’s mission to lead from the top.

-How a single career mistake reshaped his leadership approach.

-Why creating a culture that supports failure leads to stronger teams.

-What it really takes to move from the ground floor to the executive level.

If you’ve ever wondered what’s possible when you bet on yourself — and your people — this conversation will inspire you to see your own path from where you are now to where you want to be.

Follow Mike on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-ryan-6bb3262/

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The episode is powered by Hexaware: The IT services company creating smiles through great people and technology.

Go here to learn more: https://hexaware.com/

"With AI, you’re either shaping the future—or getting shaped by it."

That’s the mindset driving Vijay Sankaran, Chief Digital & Information Officer at Johnson Controls, where he leads 2,500+ technologists building the smartest buildings on Earth.

In this episode of CEO Tech Live, powered by Hexaware, Vijay shares how he’s:

⚡ Turning ERP nightmares into agile, value-driven transformation

⚡ Using AI, data, and software to cut building emissions by 10–15% per sit

⚡ Leading an AI revolution that’s making buildings think for themselves—before you even walk in the door

You’ll also hear his leadership playbook for:

-Breaking down silos across IT, HR, Finance, and Operations

-Moving from multi-year tech rollouts to micro-increments

-Preparing your team to thrive in an AI-driven future

If you’re a CIO, CDO, or digital transformation leader, this conversation is your blueprint for harnessing AI to drive growth, efficiency, and sustainability.

🎙 CEO Tech Live — where business and tech leaders share battle-tested strategies for thriving in disruption.

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Follow Vijay on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/vijay-sankaran-762a9/

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The episode is powered by Hexaware: The IT services company creating smiles through great people and technology.

Go here to learn more: https://hexaware.com/

This Is What Integrity Looks Like.

Ian Andrews, CIO of Liverpool Victoria, made a decision to protect a critical system. It went sideways. He could’ve passed the blame.

Instead, he said: “That would be me.”

He took the hit—and still took full accountability. No excuses. No deflection.

In this powerful episode, Ian shares:

-The painful moment that redefined his leadership.

-How imposter syndrome shaped his path to the C-suite..

-Why introverts can own the room—and the boardroom..

-How real leaders bring both vulnerability and vision.

And how kite surfing, preaching, and even nightclub bouncing helped him become the leader he is today/

👉 For tech leaders carrying big responsibilities, this isn’t just an interview—it’s a reminder of what leadership should look like.

🎧 Ian Andrews on CEO Tech Live — powered by Hexaware

Follow Ian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianaandrews/

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The episode is powered by Hexaware: The IT services company creating smiles through great people and technology.

Go here to learn more: https://hexaware.com/

Failure Forged Resilience...

Paul Sheffield didn’t just survive that career-defining moment—he turned it into the foundation of his leadership philosophy.

Today, he leads technology transformation for some of the most iconic brands on the planet—McDonald’s, Nike, Barclays—and credits one early error for shaping how he builds resilience, empathy, and execution at scale.

In this conversation, he shares:

-Why the biggest blunders teach lessons no classroom ever can

-How to inspire teams across cultures and continents

-The mindset that transforms setbacks into strategic advantage

If you’ve ever questioned whether you could bounce back from a big mistake, this episode will show you what’s possible.

Follow Paul on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-sheffield-014a611/

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The episode is powered by Hexaware: The IT services company creating smiles through great people and technology.

Go here to learn more: https://hexaware.com/

🚀 What happens when you’re asked to lead something you’ve never done before?

Anjani Nandan didn’t plan to end up in cybersecurity—or in the U.S. at all.

He started out selling watches in India.

He actively avoided computer labs.

He thought networking felt “too transactional.”

Fast forward: Today, he’s the VP of Cybersecurity and IT Infrastructure at Worldpac, a Carlyle portfolio company, and the architect of a security function built from the ground up.

🎧 On this episode of CEO Tech Live, Anjani shares the powerful lessons behind his transformation into an accidental CISO:

✅ Why taking big, uncomfortable risks can define your career

✅ How to advocate for yourself—even when it feels like bragging

✅ The secret to building relationships that stand the test of time

✅ Why “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” is the most dangerous mindset

✅ How caring for your health fuels clarity and bold decision-making

If you’ve ever questioned your readiness to step up, this conversation will inspire you to bet on yourself—and never look back.

🎙️ Listen now to learn how uncertainty can become your greatest advantage.

Follow Anjani on LinkedIn; https://www.linkedin.com/in/anjaninandan/

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The episode is powered by Hexaware: The IT services company creating smiles through great people and technology.

Go here to learn more: https://hexaware.com/

They handed him paper. He built the future.

Kevin Bates, Ex0Chief Data Officer at Fannie Mae, started with binders and paperclips.

Then he led the data transformation behind one of America’s most vital financial engines—helping deliver $17B in net income and reshaping the future of housing finance.

This episode isn’t about technology.

It’s about what happens when you stay the course, embrace change, and lead through uncertainty.

🔥 From white-knuckle failures to boardroom influence

🧠 Rewiring legacy systems for AI readiness

💡 Mentoring the next generation of fearless data leaders

Listen to this masterclass in leadership, resilience, and embracing the unknown.

🎧 Kevin Bates on CEO Tech Live — powered by Hexaware

Follow Kevin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-bates-69b3002/

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The episode is powered by Hexaware: The IT services company creating smiles through great people and technology.

Go here to learn more: https://hexaware.com/