CXO Magazine – May 2023 – Inspiring CXOs of the Year – 2023

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Most Innovative CTO of the Year 2023

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May 2023

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Effective leadership lies at the heart of every successful business. In a rapidly changing and competitive landscape, the role of a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or Chief Technology Officer (CTO) is more crucial than ever. These exceptional individuals not only steer their companies toward growth and innovation but also inspire others with their vision, resilience, and ability to navigate challenges.

In this edition of CXO Magazine, we bring you a collection of inspiring stories that celebrate the remarkable achievements of CXOs in 2023. These individuals embody the essence of effective leadership, paving the way for their organizations and leaving a lasting impact on their industries.

Our cover story focuses on the incredible journey of CP Lee, the CTO of Mola. Lee's ability to navigate challenges has made him a highly sought-after leader in technology. From overcoming obstacles to driving innovation, his story is a source of inspiration for aspiring executives.

Throughout the pages of this magazine, you will find a diverse range of stories highlighting the visionary leadership and innovative thinking of CXOs across various industries. We delve into their personal journeys, exploring the pivotal moments that shaped their careers and the lessons they have learned along the way.

In addition to our cover story, this edition features interviews and insightful articles that delve into various aspects of effective business leadership. We invite you to embark on a journey of inspiration and discovery as we celebrate the achievements and explore the strategies employed by these remarkable CXOs. Together, let us learn from their experiences, draw inspiration from their successes, and shape the future of business leadership in 2023 and beyond. Enjoy Reading.

Sarath Shyam

DR. CP LEE CTO,

BALANCING INNOVATION, STABILITY AND EFFICIENCY

CXO 2023

26

Driving Sustainable Change in the Construction Industry and Beyond

Leading with Passion, Purpose, and Expertise

INTERVIEWS

Dr. Samir Thabet, Corporate Sustainability Manager, Nesma & Partners

62

Sallyann Della Casa, Chief Identity Hacker, GLEAC

Leading Efforts Towards Creating A More Inclusive Digital Economy

Helping Innovative Companies Achieve Profitable Growth & Key Business Goals

52 Helen Yu, Founder & CEO, Tigon Advisory Corp

58 Nicolas Babin, President, Babin Business Consulting

38

Adora Nwodo, Software Engineer, Multi-Published Author & Global Speaker, Microsoft, Nigeria Building and Advocating for Mixed Reality Technologies

16 Andrea Zanon, Founder, Confidente & Empower Capital Empowering Global Communities to Make Better Decisions for Success and More Impactful Living

OPINIONS

46

Dr. Anthony Hamlet, President & CEO, CSI Strategies LLC, University Professor & Educational Leadership, Change, & Transformation Consultant

Leading with Vision: The Key to Educational Transformation

LEE LEE

LEE

DR. CP LEE

BALANCING INNOVATION, STABILITY AND EFFICIENCY

Dr. CP Lee's rise to the position of Chief Technology Officer at Mola is a testament to his exceptional leadership skills, which he has developed over two decades in the tech industry. His arrival in 2021 marked a new era for the company's Technological Division, with Dr. Lee leading a team responsible for delivering cuttingedge advancements in the video platform space. However, Dr. Lee's responsibilities go beyond technology. He has also assumed the role of Chief Technology & Operations Officer, overseeing Mola's expanded Technology & Operations Group. With an impressive career working at industry giants like Apple and HBO, Dr. Lee brings a wealth of experience and a proven ability to build and manage world-class teams to his leadership role at Mola.

"As a research scholar at one of Asia's top universities, my relentless pursuit of answers and solutions has always fueled me. Transitioning from academia to the private sector, I have been fortunate to work at prestigious companies such as Apple, Motorola, and HBO, gaining exposure to vastly different industries." Through each transition, Dr. Lee has immersed himself in diverse industries, granting him a unique perspective and an unparalleled breadth of experience. Despite the variations across these industries, one constant has emerged: the need for change and transformation.

Driving Innovation and Progress

Dr. Lee's ability to navigate challenges has made him a highly sought-after leader in the technology space. According to him, "Being a leader today requires a multidisciplinary approach. There are countless theories and guides available, but leaders must forge their own path." Dr. Lee firmly

believes that nothing is impossible as long as one remains committed to their goals. He adds, "Even if we fall short of the end goal, we will still progress significantly. This ideology was particularly evident during my time at Apple, where a group of rebellious engineers united with the mindset of 'us against the world.'"

As the Consulting SME for Professional Applications, Servers, and Hardware in the Asia Pacific region at Apple, Dr. Lee employed a patient and empathetic approach to explore new business opportunities. He emphasized the importance of listening, understanding, and empathizing with clients' issues, needs, and desires to unlock new avenues for growth. Dr. Lee shares,

"Designing the most efficient solutions can only happen when one truly understands what users seek and identifies the most effective way to help them achieve their goals. No hype, no grand theories—simplicity and efficiency are the winning factors."

Dr. Lee firmly believes that businesses are essentially systems where people lead people to serve others. Recognizing that uncertainties are bound to arise at different points, often when least expected, he explains, "While planning is crucial for controlling the environment, I also acknowledge that the world is more complex than our anticipations. That's why I strive to be prepared for any unforeseen events, remaining alert, curious, and observant

Dr. Lee's ability to navigate challenges has made him a highly sought-after leader in the technology space

when unexpected situations occur. It enables me to maintain a sense of power and control, even in the face of uncertainty."

For Dr. Lee, everything starts with a wellthought-out plan. During his tenure as the Head of Technology & Engineering at HBO Asia, he achieved and maintained an impressive 99.995% uptime for the business. Reflecting on this accomplishment, Dr. Lee recalls, "At HBO

Asia, our team was driven by a commitment to provide the best possible service to our end-users, exceeding their expectations whenever feasible. As a traditional broadcaster with multiple 24x7 channels broadcasting across the region, we had to design and deploy systems that consistently met the expectations of our viewers." Dr. Lee and his team at HBO Asia faced frequent challenges in reviewing, optimizing, and fundamentally

transforming their delivery methods to ensure consistent uptime. This relentless pursuit of perfection was necessary for the network to excel in its field.

Dr. Lee's innovative spirit also led to the establishment of a highly successful training services business unit at Motorola Solutions, generating significant annual revenue. Starting from scratch, he encountered numerous challenges

along the way. "My vision was to deliver a bestin-class product to our customers, and we worked closely with key partners to design and execute programs that aligned with the stakeholders' and clients' requirements." Regular program reviews were conducted to ensure their relevance, and Dr. Lee firmly believed that keeping the information up to date was crucial for the program's sustained success. Despite the obstacles faced, Dr. Lee's unwavering dedication to his vision and his collaborative approach with partners enabled him to overcome challenges and establish a thriving business unit.

The Maverick of Mola

Dr. Lee saw Mola as an opportunity to embark on a thrilling new journey, assisting a domestic company in expanding its presence in the global market. As the company's Chief Technology Officer, Dr. Lee recognized that his role went beyond technology alone; it also encompassed operational efficiency and performance. Navigating the intricate landscape of innovation, stability, and efficiency required a delicate balance. Driven by a determination to bring about change, take calculated risks, and forge ahead, Dr. Lee played a pivotal role in Mola's growth and success.

"Being a platform provider in the everevolving Media & Entertainment industry poses numerous challenges, particularly with users' constantly evolving preferences. At the Mola Technology & Operations Group, we tirelessly work towards optimizing our platform and delivery network to offer our audience the best possible viewing experience," states Dr. Lee. The Mola team continuously reviews and enhances its platform and delivery network to ensure that every aspect, from viewing patterns to user engagement

Driven by a determination to bring about change, take calculated risks, and forge ahead, Dr. Lee played a pivotal role in Mola's growth and success

methods, is well served. They are committed to delivering a high-quality media experience, incorporating seamless action triggers, and employing ever-evolving strategies to enhance the overall user journey.

Mola transcends being just an OTT platform, as it seamlessly integrates both offline and online

platform has achieved unparalleled stability since its revamp. The team has progressively introduced feature enhancements such as 4K and Dolby, much to the delight of users. Dr. Lee elaborates, "We have continuously made numerous unseen improvements to the platform, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable user experience that keeps viewers more engaged than ever before. Since deploying a multitude of UI/UX enhancements under the guidance of the new team, we have observed consistent growth in viewership."

A True Leader

Dr. Lee exemplifies a passionate and driven leader who has successfully traversed various industries and conquered diverse challenges. His unwavering focus on understanding the needs and desires of customers, combined with his technical expertise and innovative mindset, has enabled him to make a profound impact in every organization he has been associated with. From his early days in the telecommunications industry to his current role as CTO of Mola, Dr. Lee has consistently pursued the goal of delivering exceptional service to his customers. He has demonstrated an exceptional ability to adapt to evolving market trends and technologies, guiding his teams toward remarkable achievements.

contributions, engaging users in various ways. Apart from offering a wide range of online shows, concerts, and live events, Mola actively participates in offline sports events and music concerts and showcases the best of Indonesia on the global stage. This extends to nurturing new talents in football and MMA. Technically, the Mola

Dr. Lee's journey is a testament to the transformative power of hard work, determination, and a customer-centric approach to business. As he continues to lead Mola toward even greater success, it is evident that he will remain a respected and influential figure in the industry for years to come. "Being true to oneself and others is a motto I live by, regardless of time or place. When one is authentic, their role, work, and results will all align harmoniously," concludes Dr. Lee, encapsulating his core principles.

Dr. Lee exemplifies a passionate and driven leader who has successfully traversed various industries and conquered diverse challenges

Empowering Global Communities to Make Better Decisions for Success and More Impactful Living

With 25 years of entrepreneurship, operations, sustainability and technology experience, Andrea brings a hands-on approach to partnering with investors, corporate boards, management, to create accelerated returns, resilient investment, and market leadership. He specializes in Resilience, Investment Promotion, and Women Entrepreneurship.

He was the Risk Management Coordinator for the World Bank in the Middle East for 8 years. Andrea continues to advise International Financial Institutions, and entrepreneurs on clean tech, sustainability, impact investments. He is a Science and Foreign Policy Graduate from Georgetown University and has a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and Foreign Languages from Bologna University.

Recently, in an exclusive interview with CXO Magazine, Andrea shared his professional journey, the mission and vision behind Confidente, inspiration behind starting We Empower Cities (WEC) acceleration program, personal role model, and much more. The following excerpts are taken from the interview.

Andrea Zanon

Founder, Confidente & Empower Capital

Andrea, please share with us your background, professional journey and what inspired you along the way.

I first attended the University of Bologna, Italy where I studied Literature and Philosophy. I received my degree in Philosophy, Foreign Languages, and Literature degree from the same university before entering the business world.

I finished my education career at Georgetown University in Washington DC, receiving a Master of Science in Foreign Service.

I am proud of my background and how I have achieved success in life. I am an Italian American that came from very humble beginnings and grew up between Switzerland and Italy. By the time I turned 12 years old, I tragically lost both of my parents, something that I believe helped shape who I am today. Even though I had struggles with school in Italy, I committed to improve in the classroom, and followed my dreams of studying literature, philosophy, and the power of language. As a young adult, I

travelled and lived extensively across Europe, the United States and Latin America. This shaped me shape my identity and made me more combative as I realized that adapting to different environments and work conditions was going to be essential for my success.

After completing my initial studies, I cofounded a fashion and a food start up (in Venice and Miami respectively) and learned to raise capital to fund my business ventures. These experiences taught me to focus on what we have

Everybody needs a Confidant in life and that is why I created this venture, to better serve and empower global communities to make better decisions for success and more impactful living

absolute control over while learning to deal with setbacks and failures. Throughout these earlystage businesses I experienced solitude, and I learned to make tough decisions without any guidance as I fought for my business survival. I got better at tolerating pain, ignoring the noise around me including the benign opinions of others.

After exiting these start-ups, some successfully and some with big failures, I started working with President Clinton and Secretary Albright between 2005 and 2007, which helped cement

Pick people that have complimentary skills to you. If you are an engineer, get a salesperson, or a technologist or a finance person on board

my skill set within the business world and international negotiations particularly around sustainability and clean energy. I went on to become the head of disaster risk management at the World Bank in the Middle East in 2009 (from Washington DC, USA and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia), which provided me with experience working within the risk management industry as a leader. In this capacity I advised 20 ministers of finance and mobilized over US$ 9 billion dollars for infrastructure projects in conflict countries such as Lebanon, Yemen, and Palestine. Using the lessons learned from the World Bank, I began the first women’s investment-focused accelerator program in 2015 called We Empower Cities. This is one of the accomplishments I am most proud of, as I believe that women hold incredible insights into how to work as successful professionals. As part of this

project, since 2015 I advised and coached over 20,000 women entrepreneurs across 15 countries in the Middle East, North Africa and Latin America. This would also lead me to focus more on business and professional development, and that is where I entered the empowerment space shortly after.

Brief

us about Confidente.

Over the years, I realized that building trust was the core value that transformed all my relations. I thought of “Confidente,” which in the Italian language is the person you trust, as I learned to build trust as the best way to succeed in life. Everybody needs a Confidant in life and that is why I created this venture, to better serve and empower global communities to make better decisions for success and more impactful living. Confidente is the trustbased platform that helps make smarter

No phone or other distraction should be part of an initial one on one engagement. This is how you build immediate trust and bring someone closer to you

decisions, become more emotional intelligent, and become more successful while doing it.

At Confidente, we believe the more you learn, the better your decision becomes, and when you fail, you convert shortcomings into positive feedback. When you join Confidente you become part of the global community that empowers you to “bank” on your ambition while learning strategies to tolerate pain.

What is the mission and vision of the company?

Confidente builds trust-based communities promoting emotional intelligent decision for financial success. We want to build a billion people digital community based on ethics, financial literacy, and personal growth.

What are your current responsibilities and what’s a typical day look like?

As the Founder and CEO of Confidente I am responsible for getting early traction and scaling operations. This means fundraise, advise clients (mostly women entrepreneurs and ambitious people), manage the company, and continue to hire impactful individuals.

A typical day starts at 5am with a meditation session and a good cappuccino. I then read the news and get ready for work. After dropping off kids at school, I start my virtual coaching sessions with women led companies and/or with clean tech clients that need to raise capital and don’t know how to deal with the tough market conditions. During these sessions, I provide guidance and tools to help them deal with adversity and stay focused on the end goals regardless of the short-term fund-raising outcomes. In the afternoon, I typically talk to investors and strategic partners ensuring that they can get exposed to the disruptive technologies we are advising. Late in the evening, I have phone calls and keep nurturing my network. Once done with these calls, I cook a good Italian meal for my family, and I read for an hour before going to bed.

You are the Chairman of We Empower Cities (WEC). Can you please tell us about this acceleration program and your role in it?

We Empower Cities (WEC) is an acceleration program powered by a consortium of public and private sector organizations, investors

that provides training, mentorship, professional networking, and early-stage capital to female inclusive companies. WEC supports women entrepreneurs in accelerating innovative businesses that also create positive impact for their employees and communities. I am the Founder of WEC, and I was inspired to start this accelerator after launching the first women focused investment program at the World Bank in 2011. I started this investment program in partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Japan. I continue to believe in this type of programs because women entrepreneurs are the future of business and there are huge money-making opportunities in companies and investments that are women led or women inclusive.

What role do you think companies play in sustainability today?

They play a massive role, particularly today where regulations are catching up with environmental and societal challenges. Furthermore, more private sector companies, particularly start-ups are addressing sustainability challenges. This is because the private sector can scale sustainability solutions quickly and cost-effectively, while providing financial rewards to all stakeholders involved. Just to give you an example of how successful Green Start-ups are, in Feb 2023, there were 90 Green Unicorns globally, companies valued at $1 billion dollar or more (this is close to 10% of all Unicorns). Furthermore, in 2022 there was

about $ 1 trillion dollars’ worth of investments in sustainability. Clean tech and sustainability investment is becoming the norm, and my advice to all entrepreneurs is to integrate sustainability solutions to their business model as this will be soon mandatory.

How do you deal with the obstacles you encounter in your career?

An obstacle, a mistake or even a failure, are just market feedback that should help you to pivot, reassess your assumptions and learn to make

smarter decisions. While obstacles can lead to stressful decision making, they represent fuel for growth. I often found opportunities and solutions during the darkest moments of my career.

What do you wish you’ve asked yourself before starting your career?

The question I and everybody should ask before starting a venture is who do I want and need in my business and life? There is only one answer here. Pick people that have complimentary skills to you. If you are an engineer, get a salesperson,

or a technologist or a finance person on board. Also make sure you have emotional intelligent people in your team as this skill becomes a key differentiator particularly in times of crisis like these.

How do you engage with and empower others?

I listen carefully and make my interlocutor’s problems my top priorities. When you listen, you learn and at the same time empower the person you are listening to. No phone or other distraction should be part of an initial one on one engagement. This is how you build immediate trust and bring someone closer to you. In some cases, I am the

first at breaking the ice, and I talk about my failures and blunders as this helps building trust. When you share your vulnerabilities, people tend to reciprocate and open up.

Throughout your career, who were your biggest inspirations?

My grandmother who raised alone 10 kids with no resources. She also adopted me and my brother after our parents passed away. This taught me how to do more with less and use scarcity to my advantage. As we continue to live in recession prone markets, high cost of capital, and financial risk, reducing spending and hiring only the people we absolutely need is the way to win in business.

How do you unplug yourself from work?

Sustainability is becoming the new bottom line, and by 2025 about $5 trillion dollars will be invested in this area

I read at least one hour a day, I exercise for another hour, and I cook a good meal every day. Every day you have 1440 minutes to use to reach your objectives. You have to think of these minutes like your bank account. If you remove the sleep, and other routines such as eating, commuting, and other administrative task, you are left with roughly 750 mins a day. User this time to learn more to become fitter, as this will make you more focused and resilient.

As a leader, what advice do you have for future leaders to be passionate about society and the environment?

I would look at the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) movement as a good starting point to build your venture. Sustainability is becoming the new bottom line and by 2025 about $5 trillion dollars will be invested in this area. I predict that we are about to face a clean tech revolution which will have the same business volume of the internet of the 1900s.

Dr. Samir Thabet

Corporate Sustainability Manager, Nesma & Partners

Driving Sustainable Change in the Construction Industry and Beyond

Dr. Samir Thabet is the Corporate Sustainability Manager at Nesma & Partners. He brings over twenty-seven years of experience in diverse projects throughout all stages, including estimation, tendering, engineering & project execution of industrial, residential, and commercial MEP & sustainability in the Middle East region.

In his current role, Dr. Thabet oversees the organization's sustainability strategy, ESG, and carbon footprint reduction strategy. Bringing a unique perspective to his leadership approach and drawing from his diverse background and experiences, he strives to create meaningful and lasting contributions to sustainability efforts in the construction industry and beyond.

A Journey from Humble Beginnings to Inspirational Leadership

Dr. Thabet was born into a refugee family in 1971, and despite facing various challenges, he worked hard to overcome them. Coming from a humble background, Dr. Thabet managed multiple jobs simultaneously that of a designer, freelancer, and driver, which involved working long hours from early morning until midnight. As a Mechanical Engineer, he has worn multiple hats in his diverse career in the construction industry. He has been part of project teams that have successfully delivered landmark buildings in the region, including hospitals, high-rise commercial and residential buildings, and oil and gas projects.

Established in 1981, Nesma & Partners is a leading contractor in Saudi Arabia, offering fullfledged industrial, oil and gas, civil and buildings, infrastructure, and electro-mechanical services

Along the way, Dr. Thabet realized the need for more awareness about sustainable principles in the construction industry, which motivated him to acquire expertise in sustainability and develop sustainable strategies for organizations. In 2021, he completed his Ph.D. in Sustainable Development and Diplomacy to further enhance his leadership attributes and

address emerging global challenges shaped by climate change.

Nesma & Partners: Building Excellence Together

Established in 1981, Nesma & Partners is a leading contractor in Saudi Arabia, offering fullfledged services in the industrial, oil and gas,

civil and buildings, and infrastructure sectors and significant electro-mechanical capacities. Through its services and strategic partnerships with local stakeholders, the company serves these key industries to build sustainable mega projects that power Vision 2030 and shape a brighter future for its people.

For the last 40 years, Nesma & Partners has established a track record of success in delivering some of the country’s most significant industrial and infrastructure projects for a wide range of clients in the public and private sectors, including Saudi Aramco, the Public Investment Fund, NEOM, Red Sea, Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA), General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), Ministry of the National Guard, Royal Commission, and the Ministry of Defence. With a reputation for safety, quality, and timely project delivery, the company has been at the forefront of creating job opportunities and is proud of its workforce of over 30,000 employees.

Roles and Responsibilities

As Corporate Sustainability Manager, Dr. Thabet’s role encompasses many responsibilities to drive sustainability across the organization. This involves developing and implementing policies and procedures to ensure that the company's operations and projects are conducted in an environmentally, socially, and economically responsible manner. He also works closely with senior management and stakeholders to identify opportunities for improvement and develops plans to address any sustainability-related challenges.

Likewise, Dr. Thabet is responsible for driving measurable sustainability performance

improvements within the organization. He also oversees the company's sustainability reporting process, ensuring that the company adheres to relevant reporting frameworks and standards such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the United Nations Global Compact, and the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP). Another key aspect of his role is to provide sustainability-related training and guidance to employees at all levels of the organization.

A Holistic Approach to Sustainability

As one of the most trusted contractors in Saudi Arabia, Nesma & Partners takes a holistic approach to sustainability, with a focus on minimizing its environmental impacts, promoting social responsibility, and maintaining strong governance practices. The company remains focused on driving sustainable design and construction practices, including green building certifications such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) or other regional rating systems and adopting sustainable materials and technologies. “This priority is an integral part of our neutral zero strategies, a proactive approach we have adopted at Nesma & Partners to address climate change and reduce environmental impacts by increasing energy efficiency, transitioning to renewable energy sources, optimizing the supply chain, and implementing waste reduction and circular economy initiatives,” asserts Dr. Thabet.

Additionally, to measure its environmental impacts, Nesma & Partners regularly conduct sustainability assessments and audits, which enables the company to identify areas for improvement and track progress over time.

Some key metrics for tracking sustainability efforts include monitoring energy consumption, waste generation, water usage, and greenhouse gas emissions, among other indicators.

Overcoming Challenges

While implementing sustainability initiatives, Dr. Thabet encounters various challenges, from

resistance to change to financial constraints. One key challenge he mainly faced in the past before the sustainability momentum became strong was a lack of buy-in from senior management, who viewed sustainability as an added cost rather than an investment in the organization's long-term success. He addressed this challenge by educating stakeholders on the benefits of

sustainability, such as cost savings, improved operational efficiency, and enhanced reputation.

Another challenge Dr. Thabet faced was identifying the most effective sustainability initiatives to implement, given limited resources. He shares, “To address this challenge, I conducted a thorough sustainability assessment to identify the areas where the organization could make the most significant impact.” Soon, under his leadership, a life cycle cost analysis tool was developed to show the stakeholders the payback period, which is the most crucial factor that influenced them to decide to implement any initiative, and it worked very well.

Likewise, Dr. Thabet developed tailored training and communication materials for suppliers and engaged them in regular conversations to ensure alignment on sustainability goals and progress to overcome language barriers, cultural

As the Sustainability Manager at Nesma and Partners, a major contractor in KSA focused on delivering landmark infrastructure, Dr. Thabet has achieved notable achievements and milestones in his sustainability efforts

differences, and varying levels of understanding of sustainability concepts while implementing sustainability initiatives in a global supply chain.

Effective Stakeholder Engagement and Communication are Key

Dr. Thabet considers engaging and communicating with stakeholders vital in building trust and credibility, fostering collaboration, and achieving

sustainability goals. He states, “At our company, we use various communication channels and engagement strategies to reach out to different stakeholder groups.”

Nesma & Partners organizes employee training sessions and awareness campaigns, encouraging them to adopt sustainable behaviors and ideas. The company also recognizes and celebrates employee achievements in sustainability

initiatives to promote participation and foster a sense of ownership and responsibility toward sustainability. The company emphasizes the importance of sustainability in its operations for clients and offers them solutions that align with their sustainability goals. For this, Dr. Thabet and the management team communicate openly and transparently about their sustainability efforts, sharing the company’s sustainability

reports and responding to their sustainabilityrelated queries. Similarly, for communities, Nesma & Partners participates in community development programs and supports local initiatives that promote sustainability.

Keeping Pace with Technological Changes and Innovation

As a sustainability professional, Dr. Thabet is committed to staying informed about the latest trends and best practices through various means. This includes attending industry conferences and workshops, engaging in professional development programs, and actively participating in relevant online forums and communities. Additionally, he emphasizes staying connected with experts and thought leaders in the field of sustainability through networking and collaboration. He also leverages his membership with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) to access global sustainability reporting standards, GRI services, and support. He also has the opportunity to influence sustainability reporting standards, for example, contributing to the recent launch of the latest GRI standards in Arabic.

Moreover, Dr. Thabet makes it a priority to benchmark Nesma & Partners’ corporate sustainability practices against industry standards, certifications, and guidelines such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), ESTIDAMA (The Pearl Rating System), Mostadam, and GSAS (Global Sustainability Assessment System) which are regional sustainability frameworks. “This allows me to identify areas for improvement and align our practices with industry-leading standards,” shares Dr. Thabet.

Significant Career Milestones

As the Sustainability Manager at Nesma & Partners, a leading contractor in KSA focused on delivering landmark infrastructure, Dr. Thabet has achieved notable achievements and milestones in his sustainability efforts. These include successfully implementing green building standards, improved resource

management, stakeholder engagement and partnerships, sustainability reporting and transparency, employee engagement, and training, and innovation and technology adoption.

Recently, a global magazine featured Dr. Thabet in The Hall of Fame-2023, and he was recognized as one of the Middle East’s most influential ESG Leaders of 2022.

Sustainability is a Journey Rather than a Destination

Dr. Thabet recommends that companies approach sustainability as a journey rather than a destination, continuously improving and adapting to changing circumstances and stakeholder expectations. He advises leaders to

integrate sustainability into their operations and culture by following the essential steps.

The first thing to start is a strong commitment from the top management to support the sustainability journey. They should understand that sustainability, with its three pillars (environmental, social, and governance), is the only way to sustain their business and organization. Leaders must establish clear and measurable sustainability goals that align with the company's values, mission, and stakeholders' expectations. A strategy with clear goals for a defined period and a guideline identifying how to achieve these goals is the best way to start a sustainability journey.

Furthermore, leaders must also evaluate the company's current practices, impacts, and risks to identify areas for improvement and prioritize actions accordingly. Similarly, they must engage internal and external stakeholders in the sustainability journey, from employees to suppliers, customers, and communities. This includes raising awareness, providing training, and soliciting feedback and ideas.

Embracing innovation and new technologies to drive sustainability improvements, from energy efficiency to waste reduction, circularity, and renewable energy is also helpful. Likewise, sharing regular measures and reporting progress towards sustainability goals, including successes and challenges with stakeholders, makes an impact. This provides transparency and credibility and inspires and engages others. Integrating sustainability into the company's culture, values, and decisionmaking processes is crucial. This involves empowering employees to take ownership

Dr. Thabet recommends companies approach sustainability as a journey rather than a destination, continuously improving and adapting to changing circumstances and stakeholder expectations

of sustainability and recognizing and rewarding sustainability achievements.

The Road to the Future

At Nesma & Partners, Dr. Thabet and his team plan to drive positive change toward sustainability, integrating sustainability into all aspects of the organization’s operations, collaborating with stakeholders, promoting innovation, and continuously improving sustainability performance. The long-term goal is to contribute towards achieving a more sustainable and environmentally responsible construction industry in the region that minimizes its environmental impact, conserves resources, promotes resilience to climate change, and supports the overall well-being of the communities.

At Nesma and Partners, Dr. Thabet and his team plan to drive positive change toward sustainability, integrating sustainability into all aspects of the organization’s operations, collaborating with stakeholders, promoting innovation, and continuously improving sustainability performance

Building and Advocating for Mixed Reality Technologies

Adora is a multi-award-winning Software Engineer. She currently works at Microsoft where she builds Mixed Reality on the Cloud. She is the Founder of NexaScale, a social enterprise created to help people start and scale their tech careers by exposing them to jobs and other opportunities that help them build projects. Beyond these roles, she leads many tech communities. For example, she is also the Vice President of the Nigerian chapter for VRAR Association. Her work there involves creating more awareness for Immersive Reality Technologies.

Adora is also a Digital Creator. She has courses online that teaches people about infrastructure automation, she has also published multiple content on Software Engineering, Productivity & Career Growth on her blog and YouTube channel, AdoraHack. She is currently a student of LEAD in the Stanford University Graduate School of Business. She is the Author of "Cloud Engineering for Beginners", “Beginning Azure DevOps” and “A Handy DevOps Roadmap and Study Guide”. She co-organizes community events, contributes to Open Source, and speaks at technology conferences worldwide.

Recently, in an interview with CXO Magazine, Adora shared her favourite part about her role at Microsoft, NexaScale, the social enterprise started by her and its key objective, pearls of wisdom for other female leaders, and much more. The following are the excerpts from the interview.

Adora Nwodo

Adora, please tell us about your professional and personal background. I am the only daughter and the last born in my family, and I’ve always had support from everyone in my family. I’ve always wanted to build a career with computers ever since I was introduced to computers (by my family) when I was six years old. As a result, I grew up being intentional about programming careers and that led me to study Computer Science in the University where I came out with a First Class Degree. As a student, I started doing Software Engineering internships and after my degree, I continued working as a full-time Software Engineer. I’ve been doing that ever since.

What is your most favorite part about your role as a Software Engineer at Microsoft? Can you tell us about some of the projects that you are currently working on?

My favorite part is that I am working in emerging technologies. I’ve always wanted to be part of a team, building interesting things that will define how we interact with computers. At Microsoft today, I am working on Microsoft Mesh, a platform that enables presence and shared experiences from anywhere, on any device, through mixed reality applications.

What trait are you known for at Microsoft?

A lot of people acknowledge that I am multifaceted. I work on different parts of the project in my job, and I’m also pretty involved in the tech ecosystem, and I have other projects I run personally too. Combining all of this successfully makes me multifaceted.

The main challenges for the next generation of women leaders include breaking through gender biases and stereotypes, overcoming unequal opportunities and pay gaps, and navigating work-life balance

You are also the Founder of NexaScale. Can you please tell us about this community and your role in it?

One common issue I've observed among entry-level individuals in the tech industry is that despite having acquired training and certifications from various organizations, not all of them are able to secure jobs. I've met people who hold multiple certifications in a particular field but ended up working in a different role due to the availability of opportunities and the need for income.

I started NexaScale to solve this problem. Our main goal is to create programs that facilitate the start and growth of STEM careers. We have partnered with internship and job placement programs, open-source contributions, and hackathons to provide our members with practical opportunities. Our focus is on helping individuals build projects that can enrich their portfolios and enhance their employability. We understand that many individuals already possess technical skills, so we are not solely focused on teaching those skills. Instead, we

I am deeply committed to my work and find joy in making a difference, which keeps me motivated to overcome obstacles and maintain a positive outlook

offer opportunities for internships and entrylevel positions through our programs, as well as courses for those who wish to advance in their careers. Our aim is to enable individuals to contribute to the digital technology space using the skills they have already acquired, and we are constantly seeking partnerships to expand our efforts and support as many people as possible.

What do you think are the main challenges and opportunities for the next generation of women leaders?

The main challenges for the next generation of women leaders include breaking through gender biases and stereotypes, overcoming unequal opportunities and pay gaps, and navigating work-life balance. However, the opportunities for women leaders lie in increased awareness and advocacy for gender equality, the potential for diverse perspectives and innovation, and the ability to inspire and empower future generations of women to strive for leadership positions.

What is the best decision that you have made with regard to your career?

The best decision I made in my career was to invest time and effort into building strong networks with people within and outside the different places I've worked in. This has not only helped me to achieve success in my current role but also opened up new opportunities for advancement. I have gotten mentors and sponsors that help and advise me in certain decisions. I have also gotten people that support the things I do and that

has helped me grow my career, my brand, and other aspects of my life.

Despite the odds, what motivates you to stay positive?

Honestly, it's a mixture of multiple things. The first is my unwavering belief in my abilities and resilience. I know challenges are inevitable, but I am determined to overcome them and continue moving forward. I also have support and encouragement from my loved ones, mentors, and colleagues. Their belief in me and my abilities keeps me motivated to persevere even in the face of difficulties. Finally, I am passionate about what I do. I am deeply committed to my work and find joy in making a difference, which keeps me motivated to overcome obstacles and maintain a positive outlook. I like that the work I do motivates and inspires people.

What is something that you believe now that has never occurred to you previously?

It will be the importance of adaptability and flexibility in a rapidly changing industry like tech. I used to resist change and cling to familiar ways, but now I realize that being adaptable and flexible is essential for navigating uncertainty, seizing new opportunities, and staying relevant in today's dynamic business landscape.

What are your passions, and how do you unplug from work?

I love music and I also have a passion for creating things. I express that creativity in different ways

I used to resist change and cling to familiar ways, but now I realize that being adaptable and flexible is essential for navigating uncertainty, seizing new opportunities, and staying relevant in today's dynamic business landscape

personally and professionally. To unplug from work, I listen to music and mix music too. I also like swimming and self-care.

If you could have one superpower, what would you like it to be?

I love seeing new places, but flights stress me out a lot, so I would choose the ability to teleport. Imagine having the ability to instantly travel to any location in the world without the constraints of time or distance. It would make commuting, traveling, and exploring new places much easier and more convenient.

What advice do you have for other female leaders?

Pay it forward by mentoring and empowering other aspiring female leaders. Share your knowledge, experiences, and lessons learned with others. Lift other women and help them reach their full leadership potential.

Leading with Vision: The Key to Educational Transformation

Dr. Anthony Hamlet is an experienced educator with over 28 years in the field. He has worked in affluent and impoverished schools & districts and has a proven track record of turning around underperforming schools and school districts. Dr. Hamlet has served in various roles, including case manager, teacher, principal, and district administrator, earning five principal of the year awards and being a two-time finalist for the Green Garner “Urban Superintendent of the Year” Award. As superintendent of Pittsburgh Public Schools, he made ground-breaking changes that helped students do better in school and led to a huge drop in the number of students who were suspended. Dr. Hamlet holds degrees from the University of Miami and Nova Southeastern University and has completed continuing education programs at Harvard University and Howard University. Before his educational career, as a former NFL player, he played for the Miami Hurricanes and was part of three national championship teams. He is currently the President & CEO of CSI Strategies LLC, a university professor, and educational leadership, change, and transformation consultant.

Dr. Anthony Hamlet

President & CEO, CSI Strategies LLC, University Professor & Educational Leadership, Change, & Transformation Consultant

When someone in the future opens a time capsule from this era, tallies up buzzwords of the 1990s, “vision" will be high on the list. Schools, school districts, institutions of higher learning, corporations and organizations everywhere want leaders who have it. It seems the most basic plans are labeled as “visions” for the new millennium. “Unfortunately, the exaltation of vision often leaves one question unanswered: Once you're done praising it, what do you do about it?

(Lashway, 1997)

The more we change, the more we stay the same, just as in the 1990’s, visionary leadership continues to be a buzzword in the 2020’s as well. However, simply having a vision is not

enough. Developing a vision requires a deep understanding of the organization and its goals, as well as a clear sense of where the organization is heading in the future. These leaders must also be able to articulate their vision in a way that is embraced and resonates with their audience. They must also know, understand and be able to ascertain the differences between visionary leadership and standard leadership.

One of the key ingredients in visionary leadership is authenticity, which has become yet another buzzword for leaders today. Authenticity is defined as "worthy of acceptance or belief, conforming to fact or reality, trustworthy, not imaginary, false or imitation." Authenticity is what distinguishes true leaders from destructive achievers and pseudo-leaders. Leaders of

Visionary leaders must be able to identify and address any barriers to implementation and be willing to make difficult decisions and take calculated risks in order to achieve their goals

Theranos, Wirecard and leaders of Atlanta Public Schools cheating scandal have moved this topic to the top of a long list of musts for today's leaders.

There are distinct differences between standard leadership and visionary leadership, and the two should never be mistaken for the same. Visionary Leaders increase efficiency by moving decision-making responsibility to the frontline. Efficiency is achieved with limited supervision. To make frontline responsibility effective, leadership must give educators the opportunity to develop quality decision-making skills and learn to trust them. Innovative educational institutions leverage forward-thinking visionary leadership to drive student success beyond traditional metrics.

In contrast standard leadership treats employees as if they are robots, expecting them to follow instructions without question. This approach is based on the assumption that only leadership is capable of making quality decisions. This is known as command-andcontrol leadership. Low efficiency is caused by the disconnect between management and the frontline. Management is preoccupied with dealing with issues that affect them while ignoring problems that impact the frontline. Frontline issues are only addressed when they escalate into major problems.

Conventional educational establishments, characterized by inflexible, assessmentbased curriculums, rely on traditional leadership approaches.

The latter form of leadership is nonempowering, uninspiring, and counterproductive for a vision-based educational organization.

Vision exists when people in an organization share an explicit agreement on the values,

beliefs, purposes, and goals that should guide their behavior. More simply, it's called "an internal compass." A good vision not only has worthy goals but also challenges and stretches everyone in the school. Vision is an educational platform that incorporates the school's beliefs about the preferred aims, methods, and climate, thereby creating a "community of mind" that establishes behavioral norms.

Developing, implementing and progress monitoring a vision requires a clear plan of action, as well as the ability to align resources and stakeholders behind the vision. Visionary leaders must be able to identify and address any barriers to implementation and be willing to make difficult decisions and take calculated risks in order to achieve their goals. They must also be able to track progress and adjust their approach as needed to stay on track and ensure success.

Continuous communication and engagement with stakeholders is crucial for articulating and monitoring a vision during development, implementation and monitoring for results over time. Visionary leaders must be able to effectively communicate the progress of their vision to all stakeholders and be willing to listen to feedback and adjust their approach as needed. This requires a high level of transparency and accountability, as well as a willingness to be open and honest about the challenges and successes of the organization.

In order to be highly effective, visionary leaders must also possess a number of key competencies, including strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, communication, and the ability to build and maintain relationships. They must be able to balance short-term goals with long-term vision and

be willing to make tough decisions to achieve their goals.

In summary, Visionary leadership is of paramount importance and the importance, which cannot be overstated. Visionary leaders have the ability and power to inspire and motivate others and to drive real change and transformation within organizations. By developing and implementing a clear and compelling vision, and by authentically communicating and monitoring that vision over time, visionary leaders can help to create a better future for all stakeholders. To accomplish this, they must follow several key steps:

Establish a clear and inspiring vision: Visionary leaders should develop a comprehensive and inspiring vision that aligns with the organization's values, goals, and purpose. This vision should serve as a roadmap for the future, providing direction and guidance for all members.

Communicate the vision effectively: Visionary leaders must convey their vision to stakeholders in a manner that is relatable, understandable, and inspiring. This communication should be consistent and ongoing, ensuring that everyone is on board and working towards the same goals.

Foster a culture of collaboration and innovation: Encourage team members to work together and contribute their ideas and perspectives. By creating an environment that values creativity, visionary leaders can facilitate the development of new strategies and solutions that drive the organization forward.

Empower and develop team members: Visionary leaders should invest in the growth and development of their team

members, providing them with the necessary resources and opportunities to succeed. This includes offering training, mentorship, and support, as well as fostering a culture of trust and accountability.

Monitor progress and adjust the course as needed: Regularly review the progress being made towards achieving the vision and make adjustments to the plan as necessary. This may involve revisiting goals, revising strategies, or reevaluating resources, but it is essential for ensuring the vision remains relevant and achievable.

Celebrate successes and learn from setbacks: Recognize and celebrate the achievements of the team, both large and small, while also acknowledging setbacks and learning from them. This promotes a culture of continuous improvement and encourages team members to remain resilient and motivated.

Engage with stakeholders: Maintain open lines of communication with all stakeholders, including employees, customers, partners, and the wider community. By actively seeking feedback and incorporating it into the organization's plans and strategies, visionary leaders demonstrate a commitment to transparency and inclusivity.

By following these steps, visionary leaders can effectively transform their organizations, driving positive transformational change and fostering a bright future for all stakeholders.

With a compelling vision and a steadfast commitment to its realization, these leaders can truly make a lasting impact on their organizations and the world around them.

Leading Efforts Towards Creating A More Inclusive Digital Economy

Helen Yu is the founder and CEO of Tigon Advisory Corp, Host of CXO Spice and a wall-street journal best-selling author. As an independent Board Director, Helen brings a unique perspective to the board room, combining deep technology thought leadership, cybersecurity risk management, go-to-market strategy, and customer experience to deliver thoughtful questions and insights that help drive informed decisions. Demonstrated success of leading ambitious companies inspired culture-building, multi-billion dollars revenue growth and profitability through a career that has spanned early-stage startups and preIPOs to Fortune 500 enterprises including Oracle, Adobe and Marketo.

As an executive with over 20 years of experience, guiding organizations through digital transformation, strategic planning, cybersecurity risk management, go-to-market optimization, influencer marketing covering financial services, tech, manufacturing, and telecom. She is named for Top 50 women in Tech by Award Magazine, Top 5 influencer in Financial Services by Onalytica, Top 10 influencer in Digital Transformation by IBM, Top 30 global thought leader in 10 categories by Thinkers360. She has spoken at IRM, SXSW, TiECon, FinTech Summit, DMS, Money20/20 and NAMIC.

Recently, in an exclusive interview with CXO Magazine, Helen shared the inspiration behind establishing Tigon Advisory Corp, her role as the board member at KEENFOLKS, personal role model, and much more. The following excerpts are taken from the interview.

Helen Yu

Founder & CEO, Tigon Advisory Corp

Helen, can you tell us about your professional background and areas of interest?

I started my career as an accountant and financial analyst. My curiosity and learning agility got me

where I am today. I learned to code as a Hyperion consultant and went on to design and implement 400+ financial planning applications working alongside CFOs and CIOs. Then, I ran an Oracle BI consulting practice post-acquisition with the

As the only woman on the executive team at global companies, the biggest barrier was to get a “real seat” at the table. I am fortunate to have a few sponsors who supported me along the way

added pleasure of learning from then Oracle Executive Vice President of Sales Keith Block. Under his tutelage, I learned the nuances of Enterprise Solution Sales at Oracle. I then learned marketing and SAAS at Adobe, and successfully led the startup to scale-up challenges at Marketo. My journey led me to recognize critical gap patterns in growthdriven technology companies, prompting me to become an entrepreneur of value creation accelerator.

What was the inspiration behind establishing your company, Tigon Advisory Corp.? What is the mission and vision of the company?

After seeing the rise and fall of many startups, I started Tigon Advisory Corp five and half years ago. Tigon Advisory offers fractional CXO services. We expanded from a start-up accelerator to value creation accelerator guiding Enterprises on digital transformation during pandemic. Our areas of interest includes digital transformation, AI, Cybersecurity, IoT and 5G.

As a curious courageous multiplier. Our mission is to multiply people’s joy, knowledge, and prosperity.

boost efficiency and sales through existing and proprietary technology.

I was appointed as their Board Director in March 2023, responsible for providing oversight to their growth strategy and go-tomarket optimization.

What kind of barriers did you experience prior to your success?

As the only woman on the executive team at global companies, the biggest barrier was to get a “real seat” at the table. I am fortunate to have a few sponsors who supported me along the way.

What is a lesson or experience that’s unique to your profession?

As a fractional CXO, I have the opportunity to work with CEOs, Board Members and Executives at companies of all sizes. I am fortunate to learn from effective executives while identifying a pattern for ineffective leadership. I am blessed to be selective of whom I work with.

How do you empower the people you are leading?

Instil trust through listening, understanding, inspiring, and leading by example.

You are the board

member

of KEENFOLKS. Can you please tell us about this agency and your role in it?

KeenFolks is a global digital transformation agency, headquartered in Barcelona, Spain, with offices in New York and Mexico. They were named as the Top Agency in Europe in 2022. KeenFolks aims to become leader on Integrative A.I. and is helping businesses

Recognize team: celebrate success and take the blame when things did not go well.

Develop team: teach team how to fish and provide constructive feedback along the way.

Can you name one woman who’s inspired you the most?

I was raised by my grandmother who taught me how to become a servant leader. She

My curiosity and learning agility enabled me to adapt and accelerate value creation process for the companies I work with

inspired me to “stay special, make the world proud” before she passed away.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

“It does not exist unless it is measurable” my 5th grader math teacher said. That inspired me to become a data-driven decision maker.

Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

I will be serving on a few more Boards (Public and Private) and continue to contribute to creating a more inclusive digital economy. My 3rd book will be published by then.

Throughout your career, you have and continue to don numerous hats and excel in all the roles. What is your secret mantra for being successful?

My curiosity and learning agility enabled me to adapt and accelerate value creation process for the companies I work with. My ability to Zoom out, Zoom In and Focus allows me to prepare, adapt and acclimate along the way.

What advice would you give to aspiring female executives?

Ditch your “to do” list. Focus on your “to be” list and align your priorities accordingly. Be the CEO of your personal brand. Never stop networking.

Helping Innovative Companies Achieve Profitable Growth & Key Business Goals

Nicolas Babin is an agile Senior Executive with over 35 years of international, multilingual, and multicultural experience. He is a Key Opinion Leader and Influencer for many international brands as well as Start-ups and Scale-ups. He has had management experience in both the East and West, setting up and managing international teams in Europe, US, and Japan. Nicolas has started and developed over 26 companies in the US, UK, and France. He has been involved with AI since 1996, launching the robotic division for Sony Europe and has received many distinguished awards. He has had two IPO experiences on the Nasdaq and NYSE and many Fundraising experiences.

Nicolas is also a sought-after international keynote speaker on innovation, e-health, digital and robotics. He is also the author of the award-winning book called ‘The talking dog’ – immersion in new technologies. He has sat and sits on several boards in the US, Europe, and Japan. Currently, Nicolas is the President at Babin Business Consulting.

Recently, in an interview with CXO Magazine, Nicholas revealed the keys to driving successful digital transformation. He also shed light on his professional journey, personal role models, and much more. The following excerpts are taken from the interview.

Nicolas Babin

President, Babin Business Consulting

How do you define successful digital transformation?

Digital transformation will allow change management and cultural transformation. Most importantly, digital transformation will allow you

and your company to survive in this uncertain world. Digital transformation will not only help companies but also employees to understand why customers have evolved and why it is a must to ensure they match customer needs and ways to purchase.

Successful digital transformation requires a clear vision, a well-defined strategy, and a strong execution plan. It also requires a strong focus on culture and leadership, as well as a commitment to ongoing learning and innovation. By embracing digital transformation, organizations can drive growth, improve efficiency, and deliver a better experience for their customers.

Which are the emerging technologies that will play a significant role in the digital transformation process in the next five years?

As we have recently seen, generative AI is an emerging technology that is already playing a significant role in digital transformation. It can be Generative AI for pictures, videos, music, and text. All these new tools will allow humans to be augmented. It will help humans to be free from mundane activities.

Other technologies that will play a significant role will be around the web3 environment such as the Metaverse. New communication and commercial channels are appearing, and companies will need to adapt to ensure they optimise customer experience and journey.

Nicolas, please walk us through your professional journey. What made you choose this path?

I started to work in 1988 as a programmer for IBM in France. Then I moved to California in 1989 as I had graduated from my master’s degree and

As a leader I see myself as a door opener. I ensure all obstacles are removed and my teams can implement our strategies and follow their journeys to the best of their abilities

went into management. After over 35 years of working and living in the US, UK, Belgium, Japan, Germany, and France, I realised that the main thread throughout my career has always been around new technologies. As I have a degree in computer science, I understand how it works. I found myself involved with new technologies from the beginning. In California, I was part of an ecosystem that thrived on new technologies. As I was present during the launch of internet to the public and participated in the launch of GPS for cars as well as AI based robots, I was very fortunate to have been at the right place and at the right time.

Brief us about Babin Business Consulting. Tell us more about your company’s vision and the innovation it aims to bring to the industry globally.

Babin Business Consulting has a unique expertise in the digital workspace. It provides advice and guidance for marketing, business development, digital transformation, and innovation projects. We are involved with large corporations, scale-ups, and start-ups. We specialized in mentoring and guiding companies throughout the challenges of transforming all their activities using innovative technologies.

You have successfully executed various innovative strategies in your career. Which ones work the best in today’s world?

I was involved as mentioned above in the launch of GPS systems for cars. I believe this is the technology that has best adapted and been the most useful since the beginning.

Sony launched their first GPS system back in 1994 and it was very disruptive. The strategy and vision were very gutsy and proved to be right as today it has become part of our lives. Moreover, Artificial Intelligence based robots for entertainment and innovation is also one of the projects I am the most proud of.

What is one strategy that you believe has helped you grow as an entrepreneur?

I am a curious person. I want to learn, and I want to understand how technology can improve lives. For every problem there is a solution. This mindset has helped me set up and develop over 26 companies today.

Throughout your career, you have and continue to don numerous hats and excel in all the roles. What is your secret mantra for being successful?

I respect people I work with tremendously. I listen to their ideas, we collaborate and if it works then great, if not we pivot. As a leader I see myself as a door opener. I ensure all obstacles are removed and my teams can implement our strategies and follow their journeys to the best of their abilities.

One piece of advice you would like to give to the budding digital transformation consultants.

There is an old Japanese saying that states: fall down 7 times, stand back up 8. Life is not easy and there are always challenges ahead. The journey is bumpy, however if you can manage to always overcome the challenges, you will succeed!

Leading with Passion, Purpose, and Expertise

Sallyann Della Casa launched the world’s first utility NFT, a marketplace tokenizing industry experts time and wisdom in October 2022. She is one of the 4% of women globally who has a patent-pending method to signal and train agents in human ingenuity and wisdom.

In 2016, Sallyann served as the only female at a C-suite level at Careem to help stabilize the workforce and shape its organizational culture. GLEAC her Web 2.0 platform, which co-pilots your learning, innovation and problem solving with industry experts, powered Expo 2020 Skills of the Future Pavilion, up-skills African youth on the YOMA UNICEF Platform and also empowers learners on the JIO platform across India. She also has a weekly NFT column and a Metaverse Podcast Business School on Spotify.

Recently, the team of CXO Magazine spoke with Sallyann to know her thoughts on gender competencies in the tech world. She also gave a brief glimpse into her professional background, areas of interest, the inspiration behind establishing her company, GLEAC, and a lot more. Following are the excerpts from the interview.

Sallyann Della Casa

Chief Identity Hacker, GLEAC

I included it in the company's goal statement, which is to be a fun place to learn, be ourselves, and have equal opportunities to do cool things together.

I believe that this is essentially the way I try to live each day, both personally and professionally

Do you think that women have the same opportunities as men in the tech world?

Yes, women have equal possibilities to develop and solve problems, which is what excellent technology does. But even now, it seems unusual to find women in IT like me.

It's possible that jobs in the computer industry like being a software engineer or data scientist don't require a lot of social interaction, which

is something women typically enjoy. It is also probably why women don’t seek out or excel in these very isolating jobs. Also, any creator of a tech company needs financial investors since there is a lot of uncertainty involved in developing a tech product, which takes two years before you start to see income. Women are awful at negotiating for themselves and asking for money when they are unsure of the actual outputs and outcomes, which is where every startup

founder is before they produce a real product that has product market fit. However, it is surely not because of a lack of opportunities—at least not in the contemporary world.

When you frame technology in this way, it becomes warm and fluffy for everyone, including women! Technology is just a conduit of how I and we provide the world access to our bodies of work at scale.

Sallyann, can you tell us about your professional background and areas of interest?

My background is not a straight line, but rather a zag. If I told you that I had even considered starting a tech firm six years ago, I would be lying. I have no prior experience, yet here I am trying to scale tall and broad after raising money.

What distinguishes me is that I have a strong sense of curiosity, I have faith in my capacity to learn, I dig-in and I teach while I learn like a ninja, which enables me to internalize and accelerate my learning and delivery. Because this superpower exists within me, I am able to say YES a lot more and I am a cool cat in situations that are risky.

Even though I had no prior experience with app judging at the time, I would not have established GLEAC if I had not responded "hell yeah" to becoming a judge for the WSA (World Summit Awards) on APPs for Social Good in Brazil, Kuwait etc. And I believe that my proximity to data scientists and the Careem founders as Curator of Culture also provided me the confidence to assert, "Yeah, I can do that too!"

The one constant in my life's work has been human identity + connection + our capacity to

show up as we are (regardless of age, education, or experience) and get equal opportunity. This has been true for me as a young lawyer at 22, while writing my first book Who Will I Become, running my Foundation Growing Leaders since 2011, leading culture at Careem, teaching, and in 2022 tokenizing the human wisdom and ingenuity of Lovely Humans (the world's top experts) with NFT and blockchain technology.

I am really fortunate in that my area of expertise, human ingenuity, also happens to be my area of strength. and wisdom and because of this I can make a living doing it and it does not feel like work….well most days.

What are the aims and ideals that guide you as an individual and a professional?

I included it in the company's goal statement, which is to be a fun place to learn, be ourselves, and have equal opportunities to do cool things together. I believe that this is essentially the way I try to live each day, both personally and professionally.

Where or whom do you seek motivation and inspiration from? How?

People that sign their work with effort and excellence and in their own distinctive tones, like a Picasso on a canvas, inspire me. It might range from a mother's parenting style to a geeky friend’s excel formulas. Those that have a different perspective on the world and make me pause to consider what I think is true tend to draw and inspire me. They can persuade me to change my mind.

I'm also willing to chat with anyone for 15 minutes and/or arrange a quick coffee date sometimes.

You often say you do not believe in empowering women, why is that?

Women already have power. That is why I tend to avoid attending all of these occasions frequently arranged in order to empower other women. No one can give a woman power…it’s an inside job.

Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

I'm not sure, but I hope to take my breath away;) I believe I would have sold or left GLEAC 's day-to-day operations and moved on to my next method of disseminating my body of work. Or who knows, I may take 3 months and sit in a forest and write my next book with ChatGPT!

Throughout your career, you have and continue to don numerous hats and excel in all the roles. What is your secret mantra for being successful?

A uni-tasker, I am. I believe that individuals who are NOT content with mediocrity should not multitask. Even though I've accomplished a lot, if you look closely, you'll notice that I seldom work on more than one item at once, and I can go deep because I'm good at compartmentalizing. In terms of success, every one of us defines it differently based on how we see ourselves. Since we are obsessed with one version—often the version of other people rather than our own—success never comes to us, I believe that a lot of us overlook this point.

What piece of advice would you give to aspiring female professionals?

Until your last breath, live your dreams out loud and you do not need anyone’s permission to discover and explore the different versions of yourself at any moment.

Those that have a different perspective on the world and make me pause to consider what I think is true tend to draw and inspire me. They can persuade me to change my mind