In this episode of Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar speaks with Jeff Monroe, CEO and Chief Innovation Officer of LifeSpaces Innovation Group, about how disruptive sustainable technologies are reshaping the B2B and manufacturing landscape. With over four decades of experience spanning consumer goods, food service, and industrial markets, Monroe shares how his company bridges innovation and sustainability—bringing robotics, AI, and eco-friendly materials like grass-based packaging and compostable films to everyday operations. His message is clear: true progress comes from thinking five to ten years ahead, driving efficiency, safety, and sustainability while creating a better world for the next generation.

In this episode of Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar interviews Ariadne Dimoula, CEO and founder of Paramount Planet Product (P3RD.Earth), whose groundbreaking innovation in microfibrillated cellulose could replace the world’s most common plastic pollutants—wrappers, lids, filters, and straws—with biodegradable, ocean-safe materials. Drawing from her background as an oceanographer and a family legacy in pulp and paper engineering, Ariadne shares how her company is redesigning packaging from the ground up to mimic nature’s closed-loop systems—where waste becomes nourishment instead of pollution. Her story is a powerful reminder that sustainability isn’t about cleaning up the past; it’s about inventing a smarter, cleaner future.

In this episode of Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar sits down with Skip Giessing, President of the Rotating Equipment Division at DXP Enterprises, to explore how he helped grow the division from $150 million to over $1 billion while preserving the company’s core culture of loyalty, entrepreneurship, and long-term vision. Skip shares how lessons from the U.S. Navy and owning his own business shaped his leadership approach—fostering innovation, empowering regional autonomy, and driving growth through both organic expansion and strategic acquisitions. His story is a masterclass in building billion-dollar success without compromising integrity or people.