Welcome to Data & Drams. In this episode, I was joined by Craig Hayes, an IT and general business executive who has spent the last 25 years building and managing global teams at an immense scale.

From leading Fraud and Risk operations in Cape Town to serving as Senior Vice President of Business Operations for Mastercard, Craig has navigated some of the most complex transaction chains in the world.

He’s now the Head of IT Transformation at Sonic Healthcare, where he is currently driving a global uplift of 50,000 seats across seven countries.

We dove into his core belief that data and people are the only two variables that matter when you’re trying to achieve the impossible.

Craig offers a rare look at the 'changing landscape' of IT leadership, specifically how we foster resiliency and adaptability in teams that are spread across five continents.

Whether you're curious about the future of the Brisbane tech scene, the philosophical side of AI, or just want to hear a great story about historical figures over whisky, this episode is for you.

We poured a Bunnahabhain 12-Year-Old. Hailing from the shores of Islay, this dram is famous for its unpeated coastal character. While many Islay whiskys hit you dose of campfire smoke, the Bunnahabhain is more nuanced offering notes of hazelnut, dried fruit, and a subtle sea salt.

Craig’s perspective on the 'human side' of global infrastructure is something every leader needs to hear.

So pull up a chair, pour yourself a drink, and join Craig and I for Data & Drams.

Welcome back to Data and Drams!

In this episode, I’m joined by Gabriela, a cybersecurity leader whose career path started not in a server room, but on the open ocean. Transitioning from the maritime industry to the front lines of digital defence, she brings a unique perspective forged in the high-stakes environment of cruise ships, where risk management, resilience, and adaptability aren't just corporate buzzwords, but daily necessities.

We dive deep into the terrifying turning point that changed everything, a personal cyber breach that wiped out her life savings. Rather than backing down, Gabriela turned to mastering cyber forensics and completely reinventing her professional identity in a post-COVID world.

In this conversation, we explore:

• How lessons from the sea apply to securing the cloud

• Why involving cybersecurity early in the project lifecycle is the ultimate game-changer.

• Her impactful work with Cybersecurity Champions of Tomorrow, dedicated to empowering the next wave of cyber professionals.

For our dram of choice, we poured The Balvenie 14-Year-Old Caribbean Cask. It was a fitting tribute to Gabriela’s maritime roots in the Caribbean and her current role in cyber, smooth and sweet on the surface, but backed by a rich, oaky resilience and a spicy finish that lingers long after the first sip. Much like her leadership style, it is a perfect blend of old-world discipline and new-world adaptability.

So, if you’re ready to dive in, pull up a chair, pour yourself a drink, and join Gabriela and I for Data & Drams.

Welcome back to Data and Drams!

In this episode, I'm joined by Soumya Nair, AVP Business Analytics & Transformation at PCCW Global.

Soumya went from an inspiring computer engineer to data transformation leader with a rich history of navigating and shaping complex business landscapes.

She has carved an intrapreneurial journey through the technology and transformation sectors, driven by relentless curiosity and a focus on impact over titles.

Soumya shares her fascinating career path, starting with a foundation in computer engineering, a deep dive into Robotic Process Automation, and how her MBA ultimately steered her toward leading transformational projects.

We take a deep dive into the essence of authentic leadership, the nuances of change management, and the critical value of clarity and adaptability in today’s fast-paced business world. We also explore how to effectively connect with colleagues cross-functionally and how Soumya envisions her personal impact story evolving over time.

Our dram of choice for this episode was a 12yo Red Breast, an iconic single pot still Irish whiskey, crafted using a unique mix of malted and unmalted barley, it’s then triple distilled and matured in both bourbon and sherry casks giving a perfectly balanced profile of smooth, fruity, and toasted flavours.

Soumya’s approach to leadership is essential for anyone looking to make significant strides in their career and those wanting to make an impact.

So if you’re ready to dive in, then pull up a chair, pour yourself a drink, and join Soumya and I for Data & Drams.

P.S Just a heads-up, the 'Audio Gremlin' that got into Alan's recording found its way into this one as well, however thankfully we were able to recover it and the content was just too good. So if we’re sounding like we’re recording from the bottle of the barrel that’s why. Thanks for sticking with me, who knew gremlins liked whisky too.