LEADING CHARGE IN BUILDING THE SUPPLY CHAIN OF THE FUTURE
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The Architects of Progress: Celebrating the Success of Visionary Leaders and Innovative Companies
In a small garage in Palo Alto, California, two young men named Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak worked tirelessly on a project that would change the world. With limited resources but boundless passion, they built the first Apple computer. This story, now legendary, shows the power of visionary leadership and innovation. It illustrates how leaders with a clear vision and a commitment to excellence can create groundbreaking companies that transform society.
Visionary leaders see beyond the present and imagine a future full of possibilities. They are not just dreamers but doers who inspire others to join them. Elon Musk, for instance, has driven Tesla and SpaceX to the forefront of sustainable energy and space exploration by challenging conventional wisdom and embracing bold ideas.
Great leaders know that innovation is the key to solving society’s pressing needs. They foster a culture of creativity and collaboration, encouraging their teams to think outside the box and challenge the status quo. Companies like Google, under the leadership of Larry Page and Sergey Brin, have continuously innovated, making information more accessible and communication more efficient. By addressing critical issues, improving quality of life, and driving economic growth, visionary leaders and their innovative companies play a crucial role in shaping a better future.
Welcome to the latest issue of Digital First Magazine. We’re excited to celebrate the extraordinary leaders and companies shaping the future of business. In this special edition, we share stories of visionaries setting new benchmarks in their industries through innovation, resilience, and a commitment to excellence.
On the cover, we feature Theresa Campobasso, Senior Vice President of Strategic Accounts at Exiger. With over 16 years of experience in supply chain security, innovation, and risk management, Theresa has made significant contributions to both public and private sectors. Before Exiger, she developed an award-winning microelectronics supply chain software at KPMG and served as a US Marine Corps intelligence officer, providing supply chain risk expertise at the Defense Intelligence Agency. This issue is a tribute to the power of visionary leadership and its impact on industries and communities. We are honored to share these stories with you and hope they inspire you to pursue your ambitions with renewed energy and creativity. Enjoy reading!
THERESA CAMPOBASSO
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, STRATEGIC ACCOUNTS- EXIGER
LEADING CHARGE IN BUILDING THE SUPPLY CHAIN OF THE FUTURE
Transforming Air Quality with Innovative Purification Solutions Ron Polli, President of Aero Fresca Inc
Cécile Civiale Vuillier
IN MY VIEW
20
Mentoring and Fostering the Next Generation of Business and Tech Leaders
Dmitry Kharchenko, Founder & CEO, Board Member, TechBiz Global
LEADER’S INSIGHTS
Unlocking Capital for Underrepresented Entrepreneurs: The Power of Equity Crowdfunding
Lisa Campbell, Chief Marketing Officer, OneTrust Building and Nurturing Meaningful Relationships with Stakeholders
60 Andre Shori, Regional Chief Information Security Officer (APAC), Schneider Electric Making a Real Difference in Maturing the Cybersecurity Posture of Society and Organisation
92
Uriel Jaroslawski, CTO, Edenred UAE Empowering the Next Generation of Startup Entrepreneurs
COVER
THERESA CAMPOBASSO
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, STRATEGIC ACCOUNTS- EXIGER
LEADING CHARGE IN BUILDING THE SUPPLY CHAIN OF THE FUTURE
Theresa Campobasso, Senior Vice President of Strategic Accounts at Exiger, brings over 16 years of experience in supply chain security, innovation, and risk management to both public and private sector customers. Prior to Exiger, she led the development of an award-winning microelectronics supply chain software at KPMG. Theresa served as a US Marine Corps intelligence officer and provided supply chain risk expertise at the Defense Intelligence Agency. She is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and the Georgetown Security Studies Program. She publishes frequently on critical supply chain issues, was named a 2023 Top Supply Chain Executive to Watch and is featured in the June issue of
Recently, in an exclusive interview with Digital First Magazine, Theresa shared her professional trajectory, insights on diversity and inclusion, the biggest security risks in supply chain to keep an eye on in 2024, future plans, pearls of wisdom, and much more. The following excerpts are taken from the interview.
Hi Theresa. Please tell us a bit about yourself. What motivated you to pursue a career in supply chain?
I have been passionate about supply chain risk and security for almost my entire professional life! My first exposure to supply chains was in my first job as an Intelligence Officer
with the US Marine Corps where I was exposed to different ways that a supply chain vulnerability or risk could impact military security. After leaving the military in 2013, I found myself working as a national security risk analyst for emerging technology. I was working on a team focused on examining how
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION ARE ESSENTIAL IN SUPPLY CHAIN, DRIVING INNOVATION AND REFLECTING
THE DIVERSE WORLD WE SERVE
hidden supply chain risks and vulnerabilities can hurt both public and private organizations and I struggled to find the right tools and technology to enable my team to effectively solve this problem. By 2017, I had realized that even though there were many solutions focused on third party risk and supply chain resilience, at the time there really wasn’t any one solution or technology that was looking to address all of the holistic drivers of supply chain risk in a way that kept pace with the rapid nature of the acquisition process as well as the dynamic nature of supply chain risks, both inherent like supplier financial risk, or external like natural disasters. At that point, I decided to transition into the private sector because I knew I was passionate about helping to solve these tough problems and wanted to be a part of developing the tools and technology that organizations need to make a meaningful impact in identifying and managing supply chain risk. That decision is what brought me to Exiger, where I’m lucky enough to get to do exactly that!
What do you love the most about your current role?
The absolute best part of my job is talking to people about how to tackle really tough supply chain risk management challenges, especially when it might seem impossible or overwhelming. Sharing my excitement for solving these problems gives me so much energy and satisfaction. Many of my client organizations don’t know where to start when it comes to establishing and maintaining truly effective supply chain programs, and I can empathize- the definition of a supply chain has changed so much in the recent past- the
term now encompasses both physical and digital supplier ecosystems. Additionally, the types of emerging technology solutions that are available to organizations to help manage supply chain risks, provide transparency into supplier networks, optimize supply chain processes, and reduce cost or increase resilience are increasing rapidly. This makes it a very exciting time for businesses to tackle supply chain risks because of all of the new opportunities to gain insights to make more impactful decisions, but it’s also a time of friction due to rapid change, an explosion of data and capabilities, and a departure from the “legacy” definition of a supply chain as primarily a related set of entities related to production of a physical product. Organizations can feel overwhelmed when it comes to managing these risk variables, getting insight and transparency into their own sub-tier supplier network, and making sense of the best way to leverage all of the new technology and data available to them. Helping these organizations figure out where to start, how to mature their programs, and how they can reduce risk and increase resilience is incredibly exciting for me. I love helping customers understand where and how to start making their supply chains safer, more compliant, and more resilient!
What are your thoughts on diversity and inclusion in your field? How important is it to have authentic conversations with leaders, professionals, and changemakers to create more acceptance across the globe? Diversity and inclusion are essential in supply chain, driving innovation and reflecting the diverse world we serve. A diverse team brings a variety of perspectives, which fosters
MY GOAL AS A LEADER IS TO FOSTER A CULTURE THAT VALUES INTEGRITY, INNOVATION AND COLLABORATION IN ADDITION TO ACHIEVING BUSINESS GOALS
creativity and leads to better problem-solving. Inclusion ensures everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute their best, and results in more connected, more effective, and happier teams. Creating diverse and inclusive teams doesn’t happen overnightauthentic conversations with leaders, professionals, and changemakers are crucial for creating acceptance and driving progress
globally. These dialogues help break down barriers, challenge biases, and build mutual understanding. By championing diversity and inclusion, we can build more equitable and dynamic workplaces and communities.
The meaning of leadership can change from one era to the other, how would you define the meaning of leadership today?
To me, leadership in 2024 is not just about guiding a team to achieve targets, but also about empowering each member to reach their full potential. There are so many opportunities for high performing employees, especially with many jobs allowing remote work, and supportive leadership is essential to retain and grow a strong, effective, and cohesive team. In my experience, teams perform best when they feel supported and enabled to be successful, so my goal as a leader is always to show my commitment to those core values. Additionally, a critical part of enabling someone to succeed is to give them honest feedback about their performance against expectations and how they can improve, even when the conversations are difficult to have. Being honest and direct shows respect for team members and helps create a culture of trust and transparency, which is essential for any organization to be able to weather stressful situations, deadline pressures, and other sources of stress. My goal as a leader is to foster a culture that values integrity, innovation and collaboration in addition to achieving business goals.
Where or whom do you seek motivation and inspiration from? How?
I am incredibly fortunate to have an amazing network of mentors and professional colleagues that I have met throughout my career, from
former graduate school professors to former bosses and coworkers to people I have met through professional organizations here in DC. I intentionally prioritize ways to stay in touch with this community and am constantly blown away by all of their interests and passions, and I feel like I can always ask them for their thoughts if I’m ever stuck in a rut or want a s second opinion on the best way to handle a new situation. I am also always on the lookout for inspiration through books and podcasts too!
What is your secret to striking a worklife balance?
This is a tough question, because I don’t think there is a secret to a successful worklife balance! Even when I consciously try to achieve balance with my work duties and my life outside of work, I don’t always succeed, and I am always looking to learn better ways to navigate this issue. However, there are a few things that I have found helpful, especially as I have grown into more senior roles with more duties and responsibilities. Firstly, I have really changed the way that I have intentionally planned and prioritized my time, especially when it comes to mental and emotional health and feeling burned out. I also try to set a good example for my own team by taking time away from work to recharge and create an environment where they feel comfortable and able to do the same.
What are the biggest security risks in supply chain to keep an eye on in 2024?
This is an exciting question, since there are so many good options! Here is what I think will
continue to be absolutely essential for supply chains in 2024:
i. Cybersecurity Threats: Supply chains continue to become more digitized, and they are increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks such as ransomware, data breaches, and phishing attacks. Ensuring robust cybersecurity measures is critical to protect sensitive data and operational integrity.
ii. Third-Party Risks: Many supply chains rely on multiple third-party vendors and partners. Weak security practices or breaches at any point in the chain can compromise the entire network. It’s essential to enforce stringent security standards and continuous monitoring for all partners.
iii. Supply Chain Disruptions: Natural disasters, geopolitical tensions, and raw materials shortages will continue to disrupt supply chains. Building resilience through diversified sourcing, robust contingency planning, and real-time monitoring is vital to mitigate these risks.
iv. Counterfeit Products: The risk of counterfeit goods entering the supply chain can damage brand reputation and pose safety risks, and for
certain industries, counterfeit products have been on the rise following the COVID-19 pandemic.. Technologies like blockchain can enhance traceability and authenticity verification.
v. Regulatory Compliance: Keeping up with evolving regulations and standards across different regions can be challenging in 2024, especially as different geographic regions implement different guidance relating to topics like modern slavery and “Net Zero” climate security. Non-compliance can lead to legal penalties and operational disruptions. Ensuring compliance through continuous monitoring and adaptation is essential.
What role do you see technology playing in improving supply chains?
Technology plays a pivotal role in improving supply chains by enhancing efficiency, transparency, and resilience. Advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), internet of things (IoT), and blockchain streamline operations, enabling real-time tracking and
TECHNOLOGY PLAYS A PIVOTAL ROLE IN IMPROVING SUPPLY
CHAINS BY ENHANCING EFFICIENCY, TRANSPARENCY, AND RESILIENCE
predictive analytics to optimize inventory management and reduce delays. Automation and robotics improve accuracy and speed, reducing human error and operational costs. And most importantly in my opinion, advances in data science enable better and more predictive risk assessments for both physical and digital supply chains. This means that organizations can get transparency into the entities in every tier of their supplier network down to the raw material level (or
the code level, if discussing a software product), and surface the hidden risks in that network. This is exciting because once organizations have that visibility and transparency inti the hidden risks in that holistic supplier ecosystem, they can take action to manage and mitigate those risks, and can actually show how their actions make a measurable positive impact to their organization, which can be a really powerful success story!
You are a successful supply chain security innovator & leader. Which three-character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success?
I think that three character traits I have intentionally cultivated and leveraged throughout my career
I WOULD LOVE IF EVERY ORGANIZATION’S SUPPLY CHAIN PROGRAM WOULD IDENTIFY ONE CHANGE THEY COULD MAKE TO MEASURABLY INCREASE THEIR
PROGRAM’S MATURITY AND PROFESSIONALIZATION, WHICH WILL IN TURN LEAD TO INCREASED EFFECTIVENESS
are integrity, empathy, and perseverance. Integrity ensures that I communicate with honesty and respect to others, and I speak up when a situation or a person’s behavior doesn’t align with my values, even when it’s uncomfortable. I believe that integrity is essential for transparency and accountability, and I always hope to earn trust from my team, my leaders, my network, and my customers. Empathy ensures that I am always seeking to understand the needs and perspectives of others as I interact with them, whether it be my own team members or customers. And finally, perseverance is the key to moving forward despite significant obstacles like failure, doubt, and other external factors. Persevering in the face of adverse conditions is not only critical for business success, but also essential for growth as an individual and a leader, and one of my goals is to always be growing and progressing in some way, even if it ends up being a different way than I had originally planned.
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
I would love to still be working in supply chain risk solutions in the next 5 years! There are so many emerging technologies that impact supply chain that will continue to mature in the next 5-10 years, and I can’t wait to see how those new advances change the options that organizations have for managing supply chains! Additionally, the geopolitical landscape and the nature of supply chain risk is constantly evolving and changing that I feel like there will be so many new challenges to learn about, which is exciting to me. Lastly, I hope that I can continue to work in a role where I can lead a team to help
educate and coach people about supply chain risk to help get them as excited about solving these problems as I am!
What advice do you have for the people in charge of supply chains at big companies?
The best advice I can give to supply chain leaders at organizations of any size is to really invest in their supply chain programs! I would love if every organization’s supply chain program would identify one change they could make to measurably increase their program’s maturity and professionalization, which will in turn lead to increased effectiveness. This might look different for every organization depending on their starting point, but could mean prioritizing implementation and management of an effective supply chain risk management program that goes beyond the basic traditional supply chain risks like optimization, cost avoidance, third party due diligence, and resilience, and instead opening the risk aperture to include more “hidden” driver of supply chain vulnerability, like cybersecurity, personnel security, product risks, and other issues. It could also mean experimenting with new ways to leverage emerging technology and new data sources to help make better decisions around supply chain efficiency, risk, and resilience. It could also mean enabling their supply chain teams to stay current on risks, threats, vulnerabilities, and security issues. Regardless of the starting point, committing to making one significant change to mature their supply chain programs will pay dividends for organizations in the future.
Mentoring and Fostering the Next Generation of Business and Tech Leaders
Dmitry Kharchenko, Founder & CEO, Board Member, TechBiz Global
Hi Dmitry. Can you please tell us about your background and areas of interest?
Hello, I’m Dmitry Kharchenko, I am a techsavvy entrepreneur which builds startups and tech services companies for over twenty years in the field. I have a great combination of tech and business knowledge. I am the CEO & Founder of TechBiz Global and also an active CTO (Chief Technology Officer) and CDO (Chief Data Officer).
I started my career in the Army’s lead technological Cyber Security Squad, then built systems in Business Intelligence for clients like Coca-Cola and other companies. I started my entrepreneur journey with Wizevision International I built several startups in various roles of Founder, CTO, CDO, and others and had several success stories.
Firelayers (Cyber Security) exit to Proofpoint. MoneyMap (FinTech)
I am a strong believer that innovative digital solutions can simplify the lives of users and that data have great value for customer-friendly products
Dmitry Kharachenko is a trailblazer in the intersecting worlds of technology and business. His journey and experience reflect a deep integration of technical prowess and strategic, creative business leadership. Over two decades, he shaped his career as a notable figure in the tech and entrepreneurial space, constantly pushing the boundaries of digital innovation and business transformation.
Recently, in an exclusive interview with Digital First Magazine, Dmitry shared his professional trajectory, the inspiration behind establishing TechBiz Global, the best piece of advice he has ever received, significant career milestones, personal sources of inspiration, plans, words of wisdom, and much more. The following excerpts are taken from the interview.
Bonify (FinTech) exit to Schufa. Friendsurance (InsureTech).
I am the owner of several awards including “Top 25 Financial Technology CTOs of 2021” by the financial technology report and “Top 10 CTOs to Watch in 2024” by international business times.
My commitment extends beyond business; I’m also passionate about mentoring and fostering emerging tech and business leaders. I consult several startups and mentor at Founders
Institute and Intel Ignite. In addition, I do personal coaching, speaking, and teaching.
I am always interested in the combination of business and technology represented by startups and corporates. I like to build startups, tech products and help my teams grow professionally.
I am a strong believer that innovative digital solutions can simplify the lives of users and that data have great value for customer-friendly products.
Our mission is to enable customers with sustainable growth and strategic innovation through a synergy of visionary talent and intelligent technology
What was the inspiration behind establishing TechBiz Global? What sets it apart from its competitors?
TechBiz Global started as a spark of an idea, driven by the need to solve real-world tech business challenges: the need for talent & software solutions. I always had a passion for technology and talent. The first talent company I built with a friend I studied with at University many years ago. I wanted always to help people with career growth. Our journey is a testament to persistence
and innovation which is marked by opening our Headquarters in Berlin, Germany In addition, it was interesting for me as many years ago I built such a company, but on a smaller scale, and now I am doing it on international level.
Our mission is to enable customers with sustainable growth and strategic innovation through a synergy of visionary talent and intelligent technology.
We are different because we are obsessed with customer success and focusing on providing real
AI is changing the recruitment and software development business indeed including powered by AI, messaging, talent communication, copiloting developers, and building automated systems
value. We build long-term relationships and have some customers now who were my customers 15 years ago. I am a successful CTO & CDO myself so we can understand the real needs of the companies and recommend the best possible recruitment or software development strategy. As I founded startups myself, we can solve the challenges of the startups much faster and easier as I bring huge baggage of the learnings from more than 20 years of my career. The speed of work is a differentiator too as our KPIs and response times are exceeding the standards. Moreover, we have access to 10th of thousands of vetted candidates which helps to have the right person starting soon.
Our company’s journey is a global story. We’ve adapted to various geographical challenges and embraced remote work. Our innate flexibility became particularly crucial with our fast support for our clients. We managed to build a vastly international team allowing us to continue our operations seamlessly. We have team members from Lithuania, Germany, Georgia, Kazakhstan, the Netherlands, Israel, Thailand and many other countries.
What is also important is we have a lot of fun.
Our end goal is to support sustainability, give equal opportunities, and grow as a global recruitment and software development services leader.
You are a member of several German Community Networks. Can you tell us about those networks and its mission and vision?
I am helping to develop ecosystems that support startups, technology leaders, talent, and innovation. There are several exceptional communities and programs that I am part of. At Intel Ignite I am a Juror for the selection of the deep tech startups for the accelerator programs. I am part of the Founders Institute which helps early-stage founders. In
addition, I am speaking and sometimes teaching in ESMT about business models and startups. I am also part of CTO communities as it helps to collaborate exchange knowledge and help grow our ecosystem.
Which disruptive, emerging technologies do you expect to have the biggest impact in your sector?
AI, generative AI is now impacting almost every industry including HRTech and IT. I believe that we are living in a fantastic time when people have access to technology and tools that were unimaginable before. For example, OpenAI just released Sora and you can turn text to video easily. It looks indeed realistic. I am playing with my
kids using AI. They can scan their drawing and AI-powered mechanisms recreate the figures on the web and then make it dance. Cloud providers all release the capabilities of generative AI. AWS released Q and Bedrock. AI is not a new thing, but now it has the acceleration. I use ChatGPT every day. Developer experience significantly improved with tools like ChatGPT, Gemini – Google coding assistant, GitHub Copilot – coding assistant, which uses OpenAI Codex trained on billions of lines of code, AWS Code Whisperer optimized for AWS APIs. Creativity is different nowadays like turning text to image with DALL-E 2, Stable Diffusion, and Midjourney. AI is changing the recruitment and software development business indeed
including powered by AI, messaging, talent communication, co-piloting developers, and building automated systems.
In your academic or work career, were there any mentors who have helped you grow along the way? What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received? I did have several Role models throughout my entire career journey more than mentors or coaches. I am always curious about how to do tech, processes, strategy, or anything else even better, striving for change, excellence, and faster growth. There were many examples of such.
Army commander, from whom I learned persistence and an easy approach to problemsolving.
Founders and CEOs of some companies where I worked, from whom I learned business acumen and strategy. Moreover, I learned sometimes how not to do things.
Various Tech Leaders, from whom I learned technical excellence and agile approaches.
Professor of organizational behavior, from whom I learned approaches and methodologies of organizational psychology.
The role of education is important, but in many cases, it is more for building your character and widening your choices.
The life of an entrepreneur and CTO is interesting and has its ups and downs, but sometimes the sole belief in yourself solves all the things one after another
I say you should become a role model for yourself. One of the good pieces of advice I give now to growing leaders is to use visualization techniques that allow you to act as the owner of the new role that you want and not the role that you have now. This is one of the best pieces of advice which helps to clarify many decisions and behaviors. I received pieces of advice too and one that stands out is “To find something that you love at professional work”. Since then my advice has been “Love what you do at work, business, and your environment”. I believe that it is important to feel good in the company or environment that you are building. Your chances of success and satisfaction can be much higher.
The meaning of leadership can change from one era to the other, how would you define the meaning of leadership today?
In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, the meaning of leadership has indeed undergone significant transformations. It encompasses a blend of vision, adaptability, empathy, and the ability to inspire and empower others in a dynamic environment. Leadership today is about navigating complexity with vision, empathy, and agility while empowering and inspiring others to achieve shared goals in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. It’s a blend of strategic foresight, emotional intelligence, and ethical stewardship, guided by a commitment to innovation, collaboration, and continuous growth.
What do you feel has been your ‘careerdefining’ moment?
There were several impactful things, and each one has shaped the path of my career development. Probably first was exposure to the innovation in the Army with the topics of cyber security and others. Then working as an Engineer
with every new employer or client allowed me to grow as a leader and shape my focus and tactics on achieving the goals. With my first business (WizeVision International) I learned a lot by providing recruitment services to different corporates, and understood how much I love this combination of business and tech. The First Cyber Security startup shaped the way I work and instilled belief in the rapid innovation strategies of startups. Moreover, the immigration that I did in my life and family had a tremendous impact and supported my decisions about my career path. I think now it is very inspiring to build TechBiz Global and work with so many technologically advanced tech companies. It is impactful and encouraging to do it on the international level.
What surprised you the most in your journey so far and what did you learn from it?
The biggest surprise was that some things are much easier when you start. To make it right. The life of an entrepreneur and CTO is interesting and has its ups and downs, but sometimes the sole belief in yourself solves all the things one after another. Asking for help or advice in many cases so simple and so powerful that people should not underestimate it. Yes, the life of an entrepreneur is not relaxed sometimes, no doubt, but it is also exciting and rewarding.
What is it that motivates and inspires you in your everyday life?
My family and my businesses inspire me. Family is the true source of support indeed. On the business side, I am building a better future with tech businesses and developing an ecosystem which in my opinion is very important from many life and science perspectives.
I would advise young entrepreneurs to do what they love, network, and learn endlessly in a rapidly changing digital world
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
On the work-related side, I would continue growing professionally and personally and do what I love to do in business and tech.
What words of advice do you have for aspiring young entrepreneurs?
I would advise young entrepreneurs to do what they love, network, and learn endlessly in a rapidly changing digital world.
It is extremely important to find a way where you thrive and happy at what you do. Hence it has a huge impact on results.
Build your network from the first day. It is important to talk to experts, receive feedback, and adjust.
Learn and invest in your own and your team’s knowledge. Today’s innovation cycle is very quick. It can be 2-3 years before a completely new grade of technologies and tools are coming, so it is important to see what is on the market and fully utilize it for the benefit of the company.
LEADING
CLEAN
TECH COMPANY TO WATCH IN 2024
Aero Fresca Transforming Air Quality with Innovative Purification Solutions
It all started with a phone booth-sized device known as QuBA, designed to detect contagious diseases like COVID-19. Just as Aero Fresca was preparing to import this revolutionary device, the pandemic began to wane. This unexpected twist led the team to discover the underlying Cirqulair technology, prompting a significant pivot toward air purification solutions. Ron Polli, President of Aero Fresca Inc., recalls, “We saw the opportunity to bring a superior product to a market that hasn’t seen much real innovation in many years.”
Indeed, air filtration technology has remained relatively unchanged for decades. However, Aero Fresca believes they have the answer—a groundbreaking system capable of removing even the smallest nanoparticles in just one pass. This
innovation, known as Cirqulair, represents a major leap forward in air purification.
Aero Fresca’s story is also one of collaboration. Partnering with Van Wees Innovation from the Netherlands, Aero Fresca serves as the exclusive distributor of Van Wees’ cutting-edge products in North America. Van Wees handles development, while Aero Fresca focuses on manufacturing and marketing, tailoring solutions to meet the needs of North American customers. This partnership combines the ingenuity of Van Wees with the market expertise of Aero Fresca, resulting in exceptional products and services.
“Moving forward with air purification not only allows us to leverage existing technology but also opens up new avenues for growth and impact,” Polli explains. “It’s an exciting journey that
Ron Polli, President of Aero Fresca Inc
showcases the power of innovation and adaptation in navigating changing circumstances and finding opportunities for positive change.”
The Cirqulair technology, which has already proven its worth at Schiphol Airport, is now being introduced across various sectors in North America. Aero Fresca is pioneering the way in air quality purification, committed to enhancing environmental sustainability and public health through advanced solutions. Cirqulair is patented in 62 countries with USA and Canada pending.
As Aero Fresca moves forward, its journey highlights the importance of innovation and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and forming strategic partnerships, they are poised to make a significant impact on air quality and public health, contributing to the well-being of communities across North America.
Precision in Air Quality Testing
Aero Fresca Inc. employs a meticulous approach to air quality testing using advanced equipment like the Trotec PC220 and the TEC 3007. The Trotec PC220 is designed for detecting larger particles, while the TSI 3007 excels at identifying finer particles as small as 10 nanometers. This dual-device strategy captures a wide range of particle sizes, ensuring a thorough analysis of air composition. Polli emphasizes, “It’s all about education. Our online videos will help along those lines.”
Aero Fresca’s services are versatile, offering both on-site testing and equipment rental options. Customers can hire the team to travel from Florida to their location for comprehensive testing and detailed reporting. Alternatively, they can rent the equipment to conduct tests themselves. This flexibility caters to various customer needs and locations, promoting greater awareness of air quality issues.
Proper operation of the equipment is crucial for accurate readings. Once data is collected, it must be
Peter Dakuras, Co-Founder and Board Member
Tom Wilson, Board Member
effectively recorded and interpreted to provide valuable insights. This involves analyzing the data to identify patterns or anomalies, comparing results to air quality standards, and clearly communicating findings to the customer in an easy-to-understand format. “It’s all about delivering actionable information that empowers the customer to take appropriate measures to address any air quality concerns,” Polli explains.
Ensuring the equipment remains within certification limits is another critical aspect. Regular calibration and validation tests using particles of known sizes and concentrations help verify the accuracy and reliability of the measurements. This process establishes a performance baseline for the equipment and detects any deviations over time.
Aero Fresca’s commitment to precision and thoroughness in air quality testing services
Aero Fresca is pioneering the way in air quality purification, committed to enhancing environmental sustainability and public health through advanced solutions
Peter Van Wees, Inventor Advisor
is evident. Their comprehensive approach, combined with educational resources and flexible service options, underscores their dedication to enhancing public awareness and understanding of air quality issues. This customer-centric strategy not only broadens the reach of their services but also contributes to promoting better air quality management practices.
Ultra-Fine Particle Filtration: A Game Changer in Air Quality
Aero Fresca’s Cirqulair technology stands out from traditional HEPA filters by targeting not only coarse and fine particles but also ultra-
fine ones. While HEPA filters typically focus on larger particle sizes, Cirqulair addresses the vast majority of airborne particles, including those that can penetrate deep into the respiratory system and pose significant health risks.
Ron Polli, President of Aero Fresca Inc., shares his experience: “When I first got involved with air filtration, I was amazed at how nanometer-sized particles were ignored. Coarse particles make up 1%, fine particles are 9%, and ultra-fine particles represent 90% of the total airborne matter. How can 90% be ignored? Look on any retail air filter box, and you’ll find the statement—captures 99.97% of all particles. It may or may not continue—for
What sets Aero Fresca’s Cirqulair technology apart from traditional HEPA filters is its ability to target not only coarse and fine particles but also ultrafine particles
particles 1 micron and larger. Unless the customer has a science background, they probably don’t know about nanometer-sized particles. You’ll never see the truth spelled out: ‘We collect 99.97% of particles down to 1 micron, which represents only 10% of the overall particle matter. The other 90% will pass through this filter.’”
Even the highest standard for indoor air, ISO Level 1, allows for 10 particles of 1 micron and no larger particles. The existence of smaller particles is acknowledged, yet not fully addressed. This oversight involves the majority of particle matter, which are also the most dangerous. These sub-micron-sized particles are the most lethal, with the ability to easily enter a person’s bloodstream. Coronavirus particles, for example, range between 70 and 90 nanometers, far too small for a HEPA filter to catch.
Polli explains: “The only way I can rationalize why an entire industry ignores these dangerous particles is because they can’t catch them. So, they pretend they don’t exist. Being new to this industry, I can say the biggest problem is we’re dealing with invisible matter. It’s the perfect example of ‘out of sight, out of mind.’”
Polli continues: “This is why I got excited about Cirqulair technology. It stands to be a disruptive technology that captures these nanoparticles and delivers pure, clean air for the first time ever. And it does all this in a single pass through the system.”
Indeed, this remarkable level of particle removal efficiency underscores the effectiveness of Aero Fresca’s air purification technology in providing clean and healthy indoor air. While testing at even smaller particle sizes presents challenges, the system’s capability suggests it may also capture particles smaller than 0.3 nanometers.
This advanced performance has wide-ranging implications across various industries and
The Cirqulair technology’s proficiency in capturing ultrafine particles not only highlights Aero Fresca’s commitment to innovation but also positions them as a leader in the air purification industry
applications. Healthcare facilities, clean rooms, residential, and commercial buildings all benefit from the ability to effectively remove ultra-fine particles from indoor air. Improved indoor air quality directly translates to better health and wellbeing for occupants. Polli adds, “Our system’s advanced filtration capabilities have the potential to make a significant positive impact on public health and environmental quality.”
The Cirqulair technology’s proficiency in capturing ultra-fine particles not only highlights Aero Fresca’s commitment to innovation but also positions them as a leader in the air purification industry. By addressing the often-overlooked ultrafine particles, Aero Fresca is paving the way for healthier indoor environments and contributing to the overall well-being of communities.
Transforming Health and Productivity
The healthcare sector stands to gain immensely from advancements in air purification technology,
particularly for individuals with respiratory conditions such as asthma. Improved air quality can lead to better respiratory health outcomes. Reports have shown that asthma patients experience increased ease of breathing, especially while sleeping, with enhanced air purification.
Polli notes, “In healthcare settings requiring high levels of sterility, such as clean rooms and operating rooms, maintaining clean air is crucial for preventing the spread of infections and ensuring patient safety during procedures.”
Beyond healthcare, the benefits of effective air purification extend to various other sectors and environments, including schools, office buildings, and residential spaces. Clean air promotes a healthier and more productive environment for students, employees, and residents alike. In office buildings, for example, cleaner air can lead to improved cognitive function and productivity among workers. Additionally, assisted living facilities see
significant benefits, as the air they breathe is pure, clean, and free of particles that aggravate the lungs. The company calls it, Fresca Air.
Polli states, “When people get their first taste of Fresca Air, they always have a similar reaction. ‘Wow, does that smell nice! It’s so clean and fresh. It feels thinner than normal.’ Some people report feeling lightheaded. They walk up to the unit, huffing and puffing, but can catch their breath in seconds. They breathe with less effort and they notice the difference. Totally clean air is something that none of us have ever experienced before, and we now can offer a technology that produces clean, pure Fresca Air.”
The versatility of Aero Fresca’s purification system opens up opportunities for widespread adoption across different industries and settings, where clean air is essential for health, safety, and well-being. From classrooms to corporate offices, the ability to maintain clean air is essential for fostering healthier, more productive environments. The potential for widespread adoption of such technology is exciting, as it promises to positively impact public health and quality of life across various communities.
Building Trust Through Exceptional Customer Care and Quality Control
Maintaining a close relationship with customers is central to Aero Fresca’s strategy, especially in the field of air purification, where understanding and trust are paramount. By offering professional installation services for larger units, Aero Fresca ensures customers receive the support needed to set up their air purification systems correctly, maximizing effectiveness and satisfaction. Polli explains, “For homeowners receiving smaller units, following up with a phone call a few days after
delivery is key to our commitment to customer care and support.”
This personalized approach allows Aero Fresca to address any questions or concerns customers may have, ensuring they feel confident in using the product and understanding its features and benefits. Providing ongoing support, educational information, and assistance fosters stronger relationships with customers while enhancing their overall experience with the Aero Fresca brand. Polli adds, “By providing ongoing support, we enhance customer satisfaction, loyalty, and potentially positive word-of-mouth referrals, which are invaluable for business growth and success in the long run.”
Rigorous quality control standards are crucial for ensuring the reliability and effectiveness of air purification units. Aero Fresca conducts comprehensive testing on each unit prior to shipment, including a handwritten note by the system tester detailing the test results. This demonstrates a commitment to delivering highquality products to customers.
By setting a strict threshold where units must produce zero readings across all particle sizes on the meters to pass quality control, Aero Fresca prioritizes consistency and accuracy in performance. This ensures customers receive units that meet specified standards for particle removal efficiency, providing peace of mind regarding the effectiveness of their air purification system.
Leading by Example
Van Wees Innovation is making strides in improving air quality by installing Cirqulair technology at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam. Airports are bustling environments with high volumes of people and air traffic, which can lead to increased exposure to pollutants for both passengers and airport staff. By deploying air purification units in strategic locations throughout the terminals and on the aprons, Schiphol Airport is taking concrete steps to improve indoor and outdoor air quality, thereby enhancing the health and well-being of everyone in the airport environment.
Aero Fresca’s focus on capturing nano-sized particles represents a significant advancement in air purification technology and reaffirms their commitment to providing innovative solutions for cleaner and healthier air environments
“Our largest units will feed air to each of the terminals while smaller outdoor units positioned on the apron, where the planes park and baggage handlers work, will help to provide a source of pure air in an otherwise almost deadly environment,” explains Polli. This initiative showcases a proactive approach to addressing air quality concerns in areas where pollution levels can be particularly high. By placing large units in the terminals and smaller units on the aprons, Schiphol is ensuring that clean air is available in both hightraffic indoor areas and critical outdoor zones.
Polli emphasizes, “This demonstrates a proactive approach to addressing air quality concerns in areas where pollution levels can be particularly high.” The installation of Cirqulair technology at Schiphol not only demonstrates
the effectiveness of Aero Fresca’s air purification systems but also underscores the importance of prioritizing public health and environmental sustainability in high-traffic areas like airports. This effort sets a positive example for other airports and public facilities worldwide, encouraging them to adopt innovative solutions for cleaner and healthier air.
The Future of Air Purification
Capturing nano-sized particles that are typically not filtered by conventional air purification systems marks a significant step forward in addressing air quality concerns. These ultra-fine particles represent 90% of all invisible airborne particles and can penetrate deep into the respiratory system, posing serious health risks.
By effectively capturing these particles, Aero Fresca’s air purification units provide an added layer of protection against airborne pollutants, thereby contributing to improved indoor and outdoor air quality. Polli states, “By effectively capturing these particles, our air purification units will provide an added layer of protection against airborne pollutants, contributing to improved air quality.”
Aero Fresca’s focus on capturing nano-sized particles represents a significant advancement in air purification technology and reaffirms their commitment to providing innovative solutions for cleaner and healthier air environments. This leap forward in technology moves beyond traditional air filters, offering testable and provable purification. Polli emphasizes, “We feel that we are providing the cutting edge of air purification technology. This is no longer an air filter. We have moved to air purification— testable, provable purification.”
Aero Fresca’s strong partnership with Van Wees Innovations supports continual research and development, ensuring consistent efforts to improve performance. This commitment to innovation and improvement positions Aero Fresca at the forefront of the air purification industry. “With the Cirqulair technology at the cutting edge of advancement, our focus will now move toward ways to package it and meet customer needs, both large and small,” Polli explains.
By offering a variety of client and customerfocused designs, Aero Fresca is well-positioned to address emerging challenges and capitalize on new market opportunities. Their advanced air purification technology not only promises to improve air quality but also sets new standards in the industry, showcasing their dedication to creating healthier environments.
Expanding Horizons
Licensing the Cirqulair technology to other industries represents a strategic move that can significantly expand the reach and impact of Aero Fresca Inc. Integrating Cirqulair into vehicles such as cars, planes, and trains enhances air quality within these confined spaces, thereby improving the comfort and wellbeing of passengers and occupants alike. Polli highlights, “Integrating Cirqulair into vehicles like cars, planes, and trains improves the air quality within these confined spaces.”
Additionally, incorporating Cirqulair into HVAC systems in buildings presents another promising avenue for expanding their technology to a broader audience. Aero Fresca aims to collaborate with partners in the HVAC industry to facilitate the design and integration of Cirqulair systems, catering to a wide range of building sizes and types. Polli emphasizes, “Finding a partner in the HVAC space to help with the design and integration of Cirqulair with HVAC systems, large and small, is crucial.”
Licensing Cirqulair technology for integration into vehicles and HVAC systems represents a strategic growth opportunity for Aero Fresca. This initiative is expected to accelerate the adoption of their innovation globally, contributing to improved air quality on a significant scale.
Aero Fresca’s vision extends beyond traditional applications, aiming to revolutionize air quality management across various sectors. By licensing their advanced technology, they are poised to make a substantial impact on public health and environmental sustainability worldwide. This strategic move underscores their commitment to innovation and leadership in the air purification industry, paving the way for cleaner and healthier environments across the globe.
Building and Nurturing Meaningful Relationships with Stakeholders
Lisa Campbell, Chief Marketing Officer, OneTrust
Hi Lisa. What inspired you to a career in marketing? How did you get your start in this industry?
My marketing journey has been a bit unconventional, considering my background in mathematics and IT. I have worked in many different functions during my career, which gave me great experiences. For example, managing a business unit, building an ecommerce business, and managing industry strategy. Moving into marketing felt like a natural progression for me
because it allowed me to leverage my experiences with strategy and revenue growth. I began immersing myself in messaging and positioning, in competitive strategy, and being with customers. What truly inspired me was the opportunity to connect with people on a deeper level, to understand their needs, desires, and challenges, and to craft solutions that genuinely added value to their lives. Marketing, for me, became more than just promoting products or services; it became a means to build meaningful relationships
Marketing, for me, became more than just promoting products or services; it became a means to build meaningful relationships and drive positive change
Lisa Campbell is Chief Marketing Officer at OneTrust, the category-defining enterprise software to operationalize trust, where she is responsible for business and marketing strategy. Lisa has 25 years of software industry leadership experience with extensive knowledge in cloud software, digital go-to-market strategy, building brands, and business development. At both Fortune 500 companies, Lisa successfully partnered with leadership teams to transform brands, launch new products, and business models. She serves as an independent board director at Dropbox. Prior to OneTrust, Lisa spent 18 years at Autodesk, where she served as Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President, Business Strategy & Marketing. Lisa was Chairman of the Board for the Autodesk Foundation from 2017-2021. Lisa holds a B.A. in mathematics and computer science from Boston College and an M.B.A. from Babson College.
Recently, in an exclusive interview with Digital First Magazine, Lisa shared her professional trajectory, her roles and responsibilities as Chief Marketing Officer at OneTrust, insights on some of the most important trends currently shaping the marketing industry in 2024, future plans, words of wisdom, and much more. The following excerpts are taken from the interview.
and drive positive change. It allowed me to have in-depth conversations with customers where they could give me open and honest feedback.
My journey into marketing may have had an unconventional start, but it has been incredibly rewarding, allowing me to combine my technical background with my passion for creativity and human connection.
How do you approach the ever-changing landscape of digital marketing and emerging technologies such as AI?
With confidence and with a test and learn mindset, and that means leveraging emerging technologies such as AI to drive strategic growth and innovation in our marketing efforts. Put into this practice, this means: 1) emphasizing adaptability and flexibility
in our marketing strategies; 2) fostering a culture of curiosity and learning and providing opportunities for training and upskilling; and 3) encouraging a culture of experimentation within our marketing team where we regularly test new tools, platforms, and strategies to identify what works best for our audience and objectives.
What do you think are the most critical skills that a marketer needs to have to be successful in today’s rapidly changing business environment?
I’d boil it down to these six critical skills: Digital Proficiency: Marketers need to have a strong understanding of digital platforms, tools, and technologies.
Data Analysis: Data-driven decision-making is paramount in today’s marketing landscape. Marketers should possess strong analytical skills to interpret data, derive actionable insights, and optimize marketing strategies and campaigns accordingly.
Strategic Thinking: Successful marketers must be able to think strategically, aligning marketing objectives with broader business goals and market trends.
Content Creation and Storytelling: Content remains king and marketing continues to be a powerful strategy for engaging audiences and building brand affinity. Marketers should excel in creating high-quality, relevant, and engaging content across various formats.
Adaptability and Agility: Given the rapid pace of change in the marketing landscape, marketers need to be adaptable and agile.
Customer-Centric Mindset: Marketers should have a deep understanding of their target audience’s needs, preferences, and pain points. They should be able to empathize with customers, anticipate their behaviors, and tailor marketing messages and experiences to provide genuine value and foster long-term relationships.
In your opinion, what are some of the most important trends currently shaping the marketing industry in 2024?
From where we sit at OneTrust, data privacy, first party data, consent and preference management and responsible use of AI rank at the top of the list for marketing. With increasing concerns around data privacy and regulations, among others, marketers are prioritizing ethical data practices and transparency in their
Marketers should have a deep understanding of their target audience’s needs, preferences, and pain points
Gain
diverse experiences within marketing
and
in
adjacent functions, embrace data and analytics, get close to your customers, and learn from them, and be curious and open to new ideas
data collection and usage. Building trust with consumers by safeguarding their privacy rights, respecting their preferences, leveraging their data based on its intended use is essential for building and maintaining trust.
You have been a part of the marketing landscape for many years. What do you feel are some of the biggest mistakes companies make regarding their marketing efforts?
I’ve seen mistakes vary depending on the context, industry, or initial goal, but some common pitfalls include:
Failing to develop a clear and comprehensive marketing strategy, which can lead to disjointed efforts, wasted resources, and ineffective messaging.
Neglecting to understand the needs, preferences, and pain points of your target audience, which can result in messaging that fails to resonate or connect with them.
Inconsistencies in branding across different channels and touchpoints that can dilute brand identity and confuse consumers.
Neglecting to track and analyze marketing performance metrics, which can prevent marketers from understanding what’s working and what’s not.
Chasing fleeting marketing trends without considering their relevance to your brand and
audience, leading to wasted resources and missed opportunities.
Sticking to conventional marketing approaches without embracing creativity and innovation, leading to stagnation, and missed opportunities for differentiation.
What has been your marketing superpower, the most important skill that makes you a great marketer?
I’m a good distiller of information. If I’m in a meeting where everybody’s throwing out lots of information and brainstorming, I’m good at distilling and creating a framework for it. I refer to this as being a Great Distiller.
What advice would you give to somebody who is considering entering the field of marketing or has just entered the field and, one day, would like to become a CMO?
Gain diverse experiences within marketing and in adjacent functions, embrace data and analytics, get close to your customers, and learn from them, and be curious and open to new ideas. Be adaptable and resilient in the face of change, welcome innovation, hire well and be willing to pivot your strategies when necessary to stay ahead of the curve. And finally, don’t be afraid to take calculated risks to propel your career forward.
Cécile Civiale Vuillier
Partner & CEO of Trustconsult (Suisse), Head of Private Client Trustconsult Group
Blending Innovation and Excellence in Wealth Management
Cécile Civiale Vuillier is a dynamic force in the world of wealth and estate planning. As the Managing Partner and CEO of Trustconsult in Switzerland, she also leads the Private Clients division for the Trustconsult Group. Her extensive career has cemented her reputation for excellence in international trust and foundation management.
Cécile’s experience is vast and varied. She has managed intricate trust and corporate structures for clients worldwide, from Latin America and Asia to, notably, the Middle East. Her qualifications span company law, tax compliance, international trust management, trust administration, and trust creation.
Cécile says, “Helping clients secure their financial futures for the next generation provides a profound sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. Educating them, navigating through complex legal, tax, and financial issues, building long-term relationships with clients and their families is deeply rewarding.” Under her leadership, the Geneva team at Trustconsult was named the best “Wealth Planning Advisors” for 2023 and the best “Corporate Service Provider” for 2024. Beyond her role at Trustconsult, Cécile chairs the Wealth Management & Estate Planning Focus Group of XLNC. She is an active member of several prestigious
Cécile Civiale Vuillier, Partner & CEO of Trustconsult (Suisse), Head of Private Client Trustconsult Group
professional bodies, including The International Bar Association (IBA) and The International Tax Planning Association (ITPA). Previously, she served as the Chairwoman of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) branch in Geneva and the STEP Swiss & Liechtenstein Federation. Her contributions have earned her recognition as a “prominent figure” in the “Leading Trustees” category of the CityWealth Leaders List.
Cécile has also judged the STEP Private Client Awards and the WealthBriefing Awards for Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and the MENA region for many years. In 2022, she was honored as the best “Women in Wealth Management” in Switzerland.
Cécile is an active member of several prestigious professional bodies, including The International Bar Association (IBA) and The International Tax Planning Association (ITPA)
Global Insights in Wealth Management
Cécile’s extensive experience with international trusts has profoundly shaped her approach to wealth and estate management. This journey has required a deep understanding of various jurisdictions, tax laws, regulatory environments, and cultural sensitivities. “Managing such structures,” she shares, “has broadened my perspective, allowing me to tailor strategies to fit the specific needs and goals of clients.” Her work emphasizes the importance of diversifying assets geographically to reduce risk, helping her offer a comprehensive, adaptable, and client-
centric approach. This ensures that strategies are effective, compliant, and aligned with clients’ global lifestyles and aspirations.
Cécile’s work spans various regions, including Latin America, Eastern Europe, Asia, and the Middle East
As the CEO of Trustconsult, Cécile’s typical day is a blend of structured and dynamic activities. It involves strategic planning, client interactions, and team management. Her routine includes reviewing the day’s schedule, catching up on urgent emails and messages, conducting various meetings, reviewing progress on ongoing projects, working on strategic initiatives, analyzing performance, and participating in Board meetings or executive committee sessions. Balancing these activities effectively ensures the firm’s growth while maintaining exceptional client service and fostering a positive team environment.
Cécile’s work spans various regions, including Latin America, Eastern Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Tailoring services to meet the unique needs of clients from these regions involves understanding cultural norms, values,
and customs. “It is paramount to adopt styles that match regional preferences,” she notes. Staying informed on legal and regulatory compliance frameworks and partnering with local businesses is essential. For some markets, providing region-specific customer service that understands and addresses local client concerns and preferences is crucial.
Mentoring and developing a team to handle the evolving demands of the industry requires a strategic and multifaceted approach. This includes continuous learning and development. Cécile works with each team member to set clear, achievable goals aligned with their career aspirations and the team’s needs. She conducts regular one-onone meetings to review progress, provide
feedback, and adjust development plans as necessary. “Encouraging innovation and creativity is key,” she says. Ensuring the team stays informed about the latest industry trends through subscriptions to industry publications, blogs, and newsletters is also a priority. Supporting attendance at industry conferences, webinars, and networking events allows the team to learn from peers and experts, and encouraging collaboration with other departments broadens skill sets and perspectives.
Navigating Cultural Nuances in Wealth Planning
Cultural differences play a significant role in wealth and estate planning, influencing
attitudes towards wealth transfers, family dynamics, and communication styles. In regions where family is paramount, such as Asia or the Middle East, clients often prefer to distribute assets across multiple generations to ensure the well-being of the entire family. In contrast, Western cultures might prioritize the immediate family, with patriarchs and matriarchs holding significant influence. Cultural norms around gender can also affect decision-making processes.
Cécile shares an illustrative case where she acted as a professional trustee for a blended family, presenting several unique challenges. “Managing a trust for a blended family,” she says, “required a delicate balance of interests and strategic asset management.”
In this case, Cécile was appointed as a trustee for a trust established by a wealthy individual who had remarried late in life. The trust beneficiaries included the surviving spouse, three adult children from a previous marriage, and two minor
The vision for Trustconsult is to become a leading global fiduciary “boutique” firm, recognized for its innovation, excellence, and commitment to sustainable business practices
children from the second marriage. The trust assets were substantial, encompassing real estate, investment portfolios, and a family business.
The challenges were multifaceted. The surviving spouse and the adult children had different financial needs and expectations from the trust. The diverse assets required different management strategies, and navigating complex tax regulations was essential to minimize tax liabilities for the trust.
Cécile tackled these challenges with a strategic approach. “By adopting open and transparent communication, we balanced the interests of all parties involved,” she explains.
She engaged financial advisors to develop a comprehensive investment strategy and worked closely with tax advisors to optimize the trust’s tax position.
Through these efforts, Cécile and her team successfully maintained harmony among the beneficiaries, avoided potential legal disputes, and ensured the minor children’s future was secure with designated funds for their education and welfare. “The trust assets grew steadily due to a well-diversified investment approach,” she notes.
This case highlights the importance of a trustee’s role in not just managing assets but
also in mediating between different interests and ensuring fair and transparent processes.
Leveraging professional expertise and maintaining clear communication, Cécile navigated the complexities and secured a positive outcome for all beneficiaries.
Cultivating a Culture of Excellence and Innovation
Fostering a culture of excellence and innovation in estate planning management requires several
key strategies. Cécile emphasizes the importance of articulating a vision that highlights these values. “Leading by example and demonstrating commitment to continuous improvement and creativity is key,” she says.
Prioritizing client needs and tailoring estate planning solutions to individual circumstances is a cornerstone of this approach. Soliciting and acting on client feedback is crucial for continually improving services. Investing in ongoing professional development for staff
Trustconsult is exploring the use of smart contracts to automate trust administration and other fiduciary duties, a move that promises to streamline operations and improve efficiency
ensures they keep up with the latest trends, laws, and technologies in estate planning. Encouraging certifications and advanced training in specialized areas further enhances expertise.
Embracing technology is another vital component. Staying updated with the latest software tools for estate planning management and encouraging staff proficiency in these tools keeps the firm at the cutting edge. Establishing clear performance metrics aligned with the organization’s goals for excellence and innovation, and regularly reviewing performance data, helps identify areas for improvement and recognize high achievers.
Maintaining open lines of communication is essential. “Employees need to feel safe to express their ideas and concerns,” Cécile notes. By embedding these principles into the organizational culture, leaders in estate planning management can drive excellence and foster a climate where innovation thrives. This ultimately leads to better client outcomes and sustained organizational success.
The vision for Trustconsult is to become a leading global fiduciary “boutique” firm, recognized for its innovation, excellence, and commitment to sustainable business practices. The strategic plan to achieve this vision includes expanding service offerings, strengthening partnerships and alliances, investing in technology, and customizing talent acquisition and development to attract top talent. Integrating sustainability into practices and positioning Trustconsult as a thought leader in the industry through regular publications, speaking engagements, and participation in industry events are also key components.
To implement this vision, Cécile outlines a detailed strategic plan with specific, measurable goals and timelines. This involves allocating
necessary resources, establishing key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor progress, and making adjustments as needed. Engaging with the Board of the Group, employees, clients, and partners to gain their support and feedback is crucial. Regularly reviewing and refining the strategy based on performance data and changing market conditions ensures it remains relevant and effective.
By following this comprehensive plan, Trustconsult can position itself as a leading global fiduciary “boutique” firm. With a strong global presence, a diverse range of services, and a reputation for innovation and excellence, Trustconsult is poised for continued success.
Embracing Technology in Wealth Management
The role of technology in the wealth management sector is evolving rapidly, driven by advancements in data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and digital platforms. “Online and mobile platforms that provide our clients with realtime access to their portfolios, financial planning tools, and interactive dashboards are particularly exciting,” Cécile says.
Big data and predictive analytics play a crucial role in identifying and mitigating risks, improving compliance, and enhancing decision-making processes. Trustconsult is exploring the use of smart contracts to automate trust administration and other fiduciary duties, a move that promises to streamline operations and improve efficiency.
“Implementing multi-factor authentication and advanced encryption methods ensures the security of our clients’ information,” Cécile notes. Ensuring staff are trained in the latest technological tools and trends is also a
priority, allowing them to better serve clients and improve operational efficiency.
Partnering with fintech companies to integrate cutting-edge technology into service offerings is another key strategy. “By embracing these technological advancements, Trustconsult can enhance its service offerings, improve client satisfaction, and maintain a competitive edge in the evolving wealth management landscape,” Cécile explains.
Overcoming Challenges and Setting Future Goals
As a woman in the wealth and estate planning industry, Cécile has faced several significant challenges, including persistent gender biases and stereotypes. “Balancing career demands with family responsibilities has always been a challenge,” she admits. Additionally, there is a noticeable underrepresentation of women in senior and leadership positions within the industry.
Looking ahead, Cécile has clear goals for the next five years, both professionally and personally. She envisions entering new markets domestically and internationally, and implementing advanced technologies to improve service delivery and client solutions. Strengthening relationships with existing clients through exceptional service and value addition is also a priority. Enhancing brand visibility through strategic marketing campaigns and public relations efforts is another key objective.
On a personal level, Cécile is committed to continuous learning and upskilling for employees at all levels. “Implementing policies that support work-life balance, such as more flexible hours, is essential,” she says. Creating dedicated spaces for her team to
Cécile envisions entering new markets domestically and internationally, and implementing advanced technologies to improve service delivery and client solutions
innovate and experiment with new ideas, and fostering a culture that encourages creative problem-solving and out-of-the-box thinking, are also part of her vision.
These goals reflect a balanced approach, aiming for robust professional growth while maintaining a strong focus on personal development and the well-being of her workforce. “My success over the next five years will likely depend on my ability to develop my client base, adapt to market changes, leverage new technologies, and foster a positive and inclusive workplace culture,” Cécile explains.
By addressing these challenges and pursuing these goals, Cécile continues to pave the way for excellence and innovation in the wealth and estate planning industry, inspiring others along the way.
Making a Real Difference in Maturing the Cybersecurity Posture of Society and Organisation
Andre Shori, Regional Chief Information Security Officer (APAC), Schneider Electric
Hi Andre. Can you please tell us about your background and areas of expertise?
I am the Chief Information Security Officer of the Asia Pacific Region. I’m based in Singapore and responsible for Schneider Electric’s Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) cybersecurity programs’ maturity and posture across India, North and South East Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. My Cybersecurity journey began, like many others, in IT (back when
my discipline didn’t exist yet) but quickly reoriented to Cybersecurity, culminating in a wealth of amazing expertise and experience in both IT and OT Security (with a healthy sprinkling of physical security and product security thrown in).
What part of your current role do you enjoy the most?
I enjoy working with a team of experts worldwide, across cultures and time zones, to design,
I enjoy working with a team of experts worldwide, across cultures and time zones, to design, continually improve, and implement an ever-evolving cybersecurity program capable of defending our enterprise safely and securely
Andre Shori is the Regional Chief Information Security Officer at Schneider Electric, where he is responsible for leading, animating and implementing the IT and OT cybersecurity programs for the Asia Pacific region. Andre brings over 30 years of cyber experience, a SANS Technology Institute Master of Science in Information Security Management, and 18 major cybersecurity certifications.
As Regional CISO for Schneider Electric, Andre’s mission is to continuously advance and mature the cybersecurity posture for his regional ecosystem of customers, partners and employees. Andre adopts an approach of being constantly risk informed while implementing defence in depth to ensure that cyber risks to Schneider Electric’s IT and OT systems are deterred, detected, and defused to the maximum extent possible. Andre also serves as an ExecutiveBoardMemberofthe(ISC)2Singapore Chapter and Vice President of the Association of Information Security Professionals (AiSP) where hestrivestoadvancethecybersecurityprofession through a network of cross border partnerships with other professional associations.
Recently, in an exclusive interview with Digital First Magazine, Andre shared his professional trajectory, insights on the future of cybersecurity, the best piece of advice he has ever received, future plans, words of wisdom, and much more. The following excerpts are taken from the interview.
Regardless of all the tools and technology, a fundamental understanding of the basic philosophy is mandatory to understand the likelihood and impact of a risk-managed conversation
continually improve, and implement an everevolving cybersecurity program capable of defending our enterprise safely and securely.
According to you, what will cyber security look like in the next 5 years?
By nature, cybersecurity leaders have to be able to sail on rough waters to face an unpredictable threat landscape, and this will be confirmed even more in the future. However, I remain optimistic that the evolution of groundbreaking improvements in Artificial Intelligence and quantum encryption will enable greater security (as opposed to deteriorating our ability to defend ourselves).
What are some of the challenges with cybersecurity and risk assessment right now that you see no one is talking about?
There are still many misconceptions surrounding OT technology. Still, I see the awareness topic maturing quickly, with a more aligned view on the nature and associated challenges by public and private enterprises. Close cooperation between these two sectors is the path to increased maturity.
What are the top skills, both technical and soft skills, that are greatly needed as a cybersecurity professional in the current digital landscape?
I feel there needs to be a better understanding of the challenges and rewards (beyond just remuneration) to ensure that people considering exploring careers in Cybersecurity understand what’s required of them. Regardless of all the tools and technology, a fundamental understanding of the basic philosophy is mandatory to understand the likelihood and impact of a risk-managed conversation.
How do you think we can attract more young people to this field?
In a post-Covid world, HR studies and opinion polls on the job market show that Millennials and Gen Z aspire to give meaning to what they do. In cyber, when you mitigate the risks for your company, it benefits society as a whole, making our work immensely meaningful. Also, most companies still don’t have a career path for cybersecurity practitioners, so there’s little appeal. Sure, there’s high demand today, but you have to show your people the opportunities of tomorrow, too.
In your academic or work career, were there any mentors who have helped you grow along the way? What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received? Continuously pursue your passions. If you’re passionate about art, pursue it. If you love cars, find a career in the automotive industry. Your passions will give you the energy to continue spending hours on the topic without it feeling like drudgery.
Throughout your career, you have been a recipient of prestigious awards such as the Tech Talent Builder Award and recognition as one of the top ten CISOs in APAC to name a few. Our readers would love to know the secret mantra behind your success.
There’s no secret mantra: I have a lifelong passion for technology and security. The right motivation gives me the energy and focus to ultimately make a real difference in maturing the cybersecurity posture of society, the company I work for, and my loved ones.
What are your passions outside of work?
Outside of work, I engage as much as possible with ISC2 and AiSP, two active cybersecurity professional organizations in Singapore. I’m personally motivated to help create a collective cybersecurity ecosystem of trust whereby knowledge-sharing communications channels and trustworthy intelligence are much easier to share. A good test of this is when a company gets breached. Do all the other companies react by improving their defences with a copy of the attacker’s IOCs, or do we all just cut ties with one another whenever there’s a problem?
My other passion is Star Wars. I’ve always loved that series, especially the original trilogy. I’ve taken up participating in charity costuming events with the 501st and Rebel Legions in Singapore and love seeing the smiles on the public’s faces when they meet characters from the movie.
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
I’d love to be in a more prominent strategic leadership position leading a global OT/ IT cybersecurity program, where the focus would be maturing an organization’s defences to protect better its staff, production, brand, and image.
What advice do you have for anyone who is in a CISO role?
Hang in there! It’s a demanding role with tons of responsibilities, but ultimately, as a CISO, you’re positioned to set the course for your organization’s cybersecurity program and to trust your team to steer the ship properly. You cannot do it all; you must have a team
I’d love to be in a more prominent strategic leadership position leading a global OT/IT cybersecurity program, where the focus would be maturing an organization’s defences to protect better its staff, production, brand, and image
of trusted individuals that you can rely on to handle the day-to-day operations, allowing you to focus on tomorrow’s challenges.
In addition, Cybersecurity isn’t a blame game. You are there to help your organization manage its cyber risks, not be the scapegoat for when something goes inevitably wrong. You must help your stakeholders understand
that there is no perfect security, and mistakes will happen, but you will learn from them. It’s also helpful for stakeholders to understand that without an effective CISO, the impact of every breach would be infinitely much worse. Finally, as many of my fellow practitioners often say, focus on doing the right thing rather than just doing things right.
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TECH LEADERS 2024
Driving Innovation and Efficiency in TemperatureControl Solutions Jonas Asprion
CTO of Tool-Temp AG
Jonas Asprion was intrigued by combustion engines and driving dynamics, leading him to always use and ride a motorcycle.
This passion eventually brought him to ETH Zurich, where he delved into mechanical engineering with a specific focus on control systems. “From BSc to PhD, I was at ETH Zurich, studying mechanical engineering and specializing in control systems,” Jonas recalled with a smile. “I then spent about five years working on the control of industrial combustion engines with the company that had been the industrial partner during my PhD.”
Have you ever wondered what makes those powerful combustion engines in cars
and machines tick? Jonas explains, “Today’s combustion engines are very complex systems. The control unit has been refined over decades, and one always works on a tiny part of it to achieve marginal improvements.”
After five years of this meticulous work, Jonas was ready for a change. An opportunity came knocking when he learned that a former colleague from ETH Zurich was looking for someone to build up R&D at Tool-Temp AG, focusing on control systems. So, in May 2018, Jonas took the leap and joined Tool-Temp AG.
What does it take to transition from working in a large corporation to a smaller, innovative company? For Jonas, it was all about mindset.
Jonas Asprion, CTO of Tool-Temp AG
At Tool-Temp AG, Jonas leads the entire R&D department, balancing technical prowess with personal leadership
He says, “As a control-systems engineer, I learned to abstract and always see the entire system and its internal workings. This view, or rather mindset, on both the technological and economic levels, allows me to make wellthought-out decisions that consider all crosscouplings and dependencies.”
Jonas’s academic journey, culminating in a PhD, taught him to think and act autonomously, setting and persistently pursuing relevant goals. His tenure with the global corporation
underscored a crucial lesson: “Leadership affects the power of a team, a department, and an entire company.” Armed with this insight, Jonas was eager to foster an environment ripe for innovation and development at Tool-Temp AG that was starting on a green field.
Leading Innovation
At Tool-Temp AG, Jonas leads the entire R&D department, balancing technical prowess with personal leadership. He bridges the gap between technological opportunities and the company’s strategic vision. “I represent technical aspects and introduce technological opportunities to the C-level, thus contributing my part to shape the vision and strategy of the company,” Jonas explains.
But his role isn’t confined to the headquarters in Sulgen. Jonas ensures that R&D is seamlessly integrated into Tool-Temp’s global network of affiliates and resellers. “I have to see and implement R&D as a part of the whole and avoid building an island,” he says.
People are at the heart of Tool-Temp AG’s progress. Especially in R&D, with the current skills shortage and rapidly changing market demands, it’s vital to develop and retain talented individuals. Jonas emphasizes, “It is of utmost importance to keep and develop existing human resources and build a well-rounded, complementary, and flexible team.”
Jonas also understands that the project portfolio must align with the company’s strategy and core competencies. Tool-Temp AG, as a manufacturing company, relies on a tight integration of R&D with every other department—operations, production, quality management, sales/marketing, and HR. “It is key to constantly refine those interfaces to
allow flawless operation throughout the company,” he notes.
To ensure efficient and productive work, Jonas is responsible for the tooling in R&D. He insists on a set of powerful software tools that truly enhance efficiency without adding unnecessary complexity. “Only tools that actually work and impose minimal overhead are accepted by a team,” he explains. This also means ensuring integration with software used by other departments to avoid creating data silos.
Shaping Tool-Temp AG’s technological vision requires Jonas to stay vigilant about new trends and opportunities. However, he remains grounded, critically assessing the realworld potential of new ideas. He keeps the company’s financial and staffing situations, project portfolio, skill sets, and sales network capabilities in mind when making strategic decisions. “The most important part is to keep both feet on the ground,” Jonas asserts.
Crafting the Future
Building and maintaining a strong core team in R&D is a constant challenge, and Jonas knows this well. He focuses on the individuals behind the roles, understanding their needs and potential. “No company, no team, and no employee is the same, so flexibility and constant introspection are key,” Jonas says. Taking the time to address these aspects, despite the busy nature of business, is a worthwhile investment.
At Tool-Temp AG, the most significant innovation to date is undoubtedly IRIS, the new control system for their temperaturecontrol units
Tool-Temp AG has many long-established structures that take time to change. Jonas sees it as his role to help break these down and transform Tool-Temp into a modern company. Communication is crucial in this process. “Getting everyone on board and involved is always about the people,” he notes. The company is fortunate to have many senior employees, some with up to 35 years of experience, and Jonas emphasizes the importance of including them in this journey.
The wisdom of these senior employees brings Jonas to another vital aspect: Knowledge Management. It’s essential to gather the existing knowledge from long-term employees, combine it with new insights, and make it accessible across all departments, even the non-technical ones. “I aim to directly apply the most recent technological developments, such as large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT,” Jonas explains. Traditional static content, like Wikis or white papers, is becoming obsolete.
Managing the numerous challenges and keeping an eye on various aspects is one of Jonas’s biggest tasks. “There is no silver bullet. Just work hard, but effectively (doing the important things only) and efficiently (doing them quickly), with good but minimal tooling – the tools have to fit the work, not vice-versa,” he advises.
As a production-heavy small to medium-sized enterprise (SME), Tool-Temp AG doesn’t have dedicated resources for innovation but focuses on being innovative during regular product development. To foster research and innovation not strictly related to product development, Jonas seeks collaboration with academia and participation in larger European research projects. “The basic idea is to keep up with all technological developments that could be relevant for our business. Then, distil those that have real potential, and align them with the strategy
and the current and future product portfolio,” he says. Balancing between falling behind and overstraining the limited resources is crucial for sound and efficient product development in R&D.
The Development of IRIS
At Tool-Temp AG, the most significant innovation to date is undoubtedly IRIS, the new control system for their temperaturecontrol units. Unlike the old controller, which was just a standalone component, IRIS fully integrates with the units of the new MATIC lineup. It enables constant self-diagnosis and optimal interaction across the entire system. Jonas explains, “IRIS brings user experience and interaction to the next level,
providing simple-to-operate and self-explorable functionality, context-aware instructions, and one-touch automated procedures.”
IRIS is a game-changer in many ways. It sets a new standard in energy efficiency with its optimal interaction and variablespeed pump drive. Ergonomics have also been considered, resulting in the world’s first foldable HMI on a temperature-control unit. The system’s modularity ensures that IRIS can be extended even in the field, meeting the rapidly changing demands for industrial connectivity.
Beyond the immediate benefits of IRIS, its role as an enabler for future developments is crucial. “We see IRIS as the brain and the
nervous system, enabling us to harness the full combined potential of upcoming cuttingedge technology,” Jonas says. Rolling out IRIS across the entire range of temperaturecontrol units, and completing the MATIC lineup, is something Jonas eagerly anticipates. He is also looking forward to refining IRIS and maximizing its potential to significantly enhance customer benefits. “Unfolding the full potential of IRIS and honing its rough edges will be a satisfying task,” Jonas notes.
Alongside this evolutionary process, ToolTemp AG is about to embark on developing components for an entirely new, revolutionary line of units. This venture into uncharted territory is thrilling for Jonas and his team.
Innovation in a Slow-Moving Industry
The world of temperature-control units and water chillers moves at a deliberate pace.
The main technologies are well-established, focusing on cost and energy efficiency. Jonas shares, “Added customer benefit mainly comes from usability, reliability, and innovative solutions in the details.” ToolTemp AG emphasizes outstanding user experience, quality, and custom solutions for key components. When they can’t find a thirdparty component that meets their standards for performance, quality, and price, they develop and produce it themselves. This “doit-yourself” mentality involves initial costs but offers long-term advantages, builds know-how, and makes the company flexible and quick to adapt to changing demands.
Larger trends are also shaping the industry. Industrial connectivity, from the shop floor to the cloud, is advancing rapidly. Continuous monitoring of condition and energy consumption and predictive maintenance are
Jonas’ strategy at Tool-Temp AG focuses on investing in high-tech products to maintain sales in Western countries
Tool-Temp AG is investing in developing sensor, pump, and valve technology to enable this precise temperature control
replacing regular inspections and retrospective assessments. Trends in manufacturing, such as rapid mechanical prototyping and cost-efficient production of small batches through additive manufacturing, also significantly impact the business.
Tool-Temp AG stays at the forefront by being a member of major industrial-communication organizations like PNO, ODVA, and OPC Foundation. Regular visits to trade fairs across various fields help maintain connections with current and potential suppliers of innovative services, materials, and components. “Consistent study of digital and print media also helps us,” Jonas adds.
Furthermore, Tool-Temp AG always aims to have at least one
innovation project in collaboration with a university or within a European Union research cluster. Collaborating with universities on student theses or providing internships keeps a direct line to academic cutting-edge research.
“We keep an open mindset, we try out new things, take a small step, then evaluate. If we find something to be directly beneficial or at least promising, we move forward,” Jonas explains.
Navigating Shifts in the Market
The landscape of temperature control is shifting, with low-tech applications moving almost entirely to Asia and medium-tech following suit. Jonas’ strategy at Tool-Temp AG focuses on investing in high-tech products to
maintain sales in Western countries. “We will invest in the most demanded high-tech products to keep sales up in Western countries while not neglecting the cost-effective, featurereduced but same-quality base units to keep pushing into Asian (and other) markets,” he says.
Energy efficiency is a significant trend in the industry. Moving heat between different temperature levels always involves some loss. The goal is to avoid unnecessary heat movement by precisely controlling all heat flows. “Whether heating or cooling, we aim to use only as much pumping power as needed to transport that heat,” Jonas explains. Excess power should not be spent only to be counteracted later. Tool-Temp AG is investing in developing sensor, pump, and valve technology to enable this precise temperature control.
Another trend Jonas has noticed is the shift from smaller, simpler units as series products to larger, more complex units that are often customized or even fully customengineered. Custom engineering demands different processes, skills, and sales channels than selling offthe-shelf products. With R&D closely collaborating with production, ToolTemp AG benefits from mutual inspiration and enhanced flexibility. “We keep building up internal knowhow to be able to quickly react to such changes,” Jonas emphasizes.
Leading by Example
Jonas believes in building strong personal connections with everyone he works with. He meets everyone at eye level, regardless of their position or tenure. “My goal is to have a close,
open, and transparent relationship with each and every employee,” he shares, a goal he achieves through frequent one-on-one meetings. Jonas leads by example, focusing on developing his team members so they can operate autonomously.
Jonas leads by example, focusing on developing his team members so they can operate autonomously
He doesn’t adhere to a single leadership style but constantly refines his approach to best suit the company and his team.
Jonas strives to be an inspiration to his team. “How should anyone be motivated, creative, and explorative if their leader sets an example that is the exact opposite?” he asks. Despite setbacks, criticism, misunderstandings, and bad days, he emphasizes the importance of resilience and maintaining a focus on the positive aspects of their work.
Creativity, Jonas believes, requires space, motivation, and inspiration. Space comes from the ability to act autonomously, which he fosters by transferring responsibility and developing affinity. Allowing team members to freely choose their path toward a goal and offering flexibility in working time and location, such as home office options, also helps.
Motivation is highly individual, so Jonas makes it a priority to understand what drives each employee. Providing purpose, setting challenging goals, and appreciating the effort and hard work everyone puts in creates a common foundation. “A balanced and well-attuned team – on both the personal and skills level – spurs both motivation and inspiration,” he notes.
Fostering a Family Culture
Being family-owned, Tool-Temp AG feels like a big family to its employees. Personal interaction takes precedence over excessive bureaucracy and paperwork. As an SME with development and production on a single site, the company enjoys flexibility and quick decision-making. “These advantages largely depend on the mindset and personal commitment of the employees,” Jonas Asprion notes. Mutual commitment and taking responsibility—loyalty, in short—create an enjoyable and productivity-enhancing culture at Tool-Temp AG.
The company’s vision and goals are always defined with the employees in mind. Jonas constantly asks, “Will we lose them in the process? How quickly can they adapt to this or that disruptive change we are envisioning?” Maintaining the company culture takes priority over overly ambitious goals and far-fetched visions. If employees cannot understand and identify with a vision, achieving it is impossible. “A bright vision and challenging goals do motivate, but only if they align with the deep-rooted values of the employees and seem achievable,” Jonas explains.
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, no single go-to schoolbook for anything— whether it’s working styles, motivation, project management, or development itself. Having a background in different approaches helps, but it’s crucial to always consider the specific combination of task, environment, and people.
“It is the people that make a company,” Jonas emphasizes. “So, in short: Be open-minded, flexible, see (and treat) each employee as an individual, meet them at eye level with appreciation, and push innovation only at a pace at which all employees can follow.”
Advancing Development at Tool-Temp AG
Jonas spearheaded significant technical advancements at Tool-Temp AG, marked notably by the adoption of model-based development methodologies. On one hand, this involved implementing model-based development for control logic and algorithms.
“The aim is to frontload work to understanding physics, apply a suitable degree of abstraction, and come up with a mathematical model that allows simulation of hundreds of scenarios within seconds, on a standard laptop,” Jonas explains. This approach, known as “Softwarein-the-Loop,” encompasses approximately 75% of development and control-algorithm tuning in a virtual environment, further optimized through mathematical optimization.
On the other hand, Tool-Temp AG made substantial strides in mechanical development, transitioning from traditional trial-and-error methods to systematic development with virtual prototypes. Simultaneously, efforts towards integrating CAD data and ERP via a Product Data
Management (PDM) system are paving the way for an integrated Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and a comprehensive digital twin.
Personally, Jonas values his team as a cornerstone of success. “In six years, R&D evolved from a one-man-show into a robust, fully-fledged tech department that thrives on both technical and personal levels,” he reflects. The synergy between advanced methodologies and a cohesive team spirit was crucial in achieving milestones like the successful launch of IRIS in April.
Evolving Roles
Jonas is set to transition away from daily technical operations, project management, and direct leadership. With a cohesive and rapidly maturing team in place, he aims to delegate responsibilities to capable individuals whom he holds in high regard. His focus now shifts towards higher-level aspects such as technology strategy, aligning with sales and marketing perspectives, enhancing project portfolio management, and implementing company-wide integrated tooling. These
initiatives form the foundation for sustainable efficiency improvements, fostering transparent information flow, aligning company-wide goals, and clarifying responsibilities.
Currently, Tool-Temp AG is actively enhancing its sales and marketing efforts to sustain continuous growth and innovation. Jonas envisions a future brimming with ideas ranging from incremental enhancements to groundbreaking developments, eagerly anticipating his role in steering these endeavors forward.
Unlocking Capital for Underrepresented Entrepreneurs: The Power of Equity Crowdfunding
In the ever-evolving landscape of entrepreneurship, access to capital remains a critical factor determining the success or failure of startups. However, for many underrepresented founders, particularly women and people of color, traditional avenues of venture capital often present insurmountable barriers. The scarcity of venture capital, exacerbated by market uncertainties and systemic biases, has propelled the emergence of alternative funding sources like equity crowdfunding.
The ARC Fund stands at the forefront of this movement, addressing the pressing need
for innovative financial solutions in today’s challenging economy. With a mission to support underestimated impact entrepreneurs, the ARC Fund leverages the power of equity crowdfunding through the Wefunder platform. This approach not only democratizes access to capital but also empowers individuals to invest in early-stage companies, fueling innovation and economic growth.
The statistics paint a stark reality: Black entrepreneurs faced a staggering 45% decrease in financing by the end of 2022, while womenonly teams secured a mere 2.8% of venture capital in 2023. The traditional venture capital
Equity crowdfunding not only provides capital but also serves as a catalyst for empowerment, enabling founders to realize their visions and drive meaningful change
Mel Ochoa is the Chief Operating Officer at Landmark Ventures, a strategic and financial advisory firm that offers a unique combination of venture development and global investment banking services. He is also the practice leader of SIS Omni, born out of Landmark’s Social Innovation Summit, to drive transformation across impact initiatives within CSR, ESG, DEI, and more.
model has failed to adequately support diverse founders, perpetuating systemic inequalities within the startup ecosystem. Equity crowdfunding offers a disruptive solution, leveling the playing field and amplifying the voices of underrepresented entrepreneurs.
At the heart of equity crowdfunding is inclusivity. By allowing unaccredited investors to participate in funding rounds for as little as $100, equity crowdfunding democratizes investment opportunities, bypassing the traditional barriers of wealth and privilege. This democratization of capital not only diversifies the investor pool but also channels resources directly into the hands of entrepreneurs who have historically been overlooked by traditional venture capitalists.
The success stories of equity crowdfunding speak volumes. Campaigns led by women-only founders boast an impressive 87.5% success rate, far surpassing the industry average. Similarly, minorityonly founders achieve a success rate of 46%, demonstrating the untapped potential within underrepresented communities. Equity crowdfunding not only provides capital but also serves as a catalyst for empowerment, enabling founders to realize their visions and drive meaningful change.
The ARC Fund’s support further enhances the efficacy of equity crowdfunding for underrepresented entrepreneurs. By offering comprehensive assistance, including campaign preparation, coaching, and advisory support, the ARC Fund equips founders with the tools they need to navigate the crowdfunding process successfully. This hands-on approach not only maximizes campaign effectiveness but also fosters long-term entrepreneurial success.
Equity crowdfunding is more than just a fundraising tool; it is a vehicle for social and economic empowerment
The initial launches of the ARC Fund spotlight the diversity and innovation inherent in underrepresented entrepreneurship. From Nopalera’s celebration of Chicana heritage to EQL Finance’s commitment to financial wellness, these ventures embody the spirit of resilience and creativity that defines impact entrepreneurship. By amplifying their voices and providing strategic support, the ARC Fund catalyzes positive change within communities and industries alike.
Equity crowdfunding is more than just a fundraising tool; it is a vehicle for social and economic empowerment. By harnessing the collective power of individual investors, equity crowdfunding democratizes access to capital
and unlocks opportunities for underrepresented entrepreneurs. As we navigate an increasingly complex economic landscape, it is imperative that we embrace inclusive financial models that prioritize all people.
The ARC Fund’s embrace of equity crowdfunding represents a paradigm shift in the world of impact entrepreneurship. By bridging the gap between capital and underrepresented founders, the ARC Fund not only fuels innovation but also catalyzes social change. As we look toward a future defined by resilience and opportunity, equity crowdfunding stands as a beacon of hope, empowering entrepreneurs to realize their dreams and create a more equitable world for all.
Paytiko Revolutionizing Payment Management with Seamless, Secure, and Scalable Solution
Paytiko, a highly advanced payment orchestration platform, is transforming the way businesses handle payments. Their solution helps companies streamline their payment processes and provides a wide range of payment options. With easy integration to both global and local payment providers, Paytiko’s userfriendly dashboard improves transparency and minimizes the risks connected with online transactions. By utilizing encryption, PCI-DSS compliance, and other security measures, Paytiko ensures the security of online payments.
The idea for Paytiko emerged from a blend of business needs and the convergence of in-demand payment technologies that previously couldn’t be unified into a single solution. “Since inception, we have far surpassed our goals in terms of initial idea, innovatively merging several added-value features, such as UI/UX customization, risk management tools, and our own payout mechanism, to create an ecosystem unlike any other,” says Milen Marinov, Chief Product Officer of Paytiko. Milen, brings a wealth of experience to Paytiko, having worked in the risk management department of one of the
world’s largest payment providers and playing a crucial role in one of Europe’s largest acquirers. With seven years in the payments industry and three years at Paytiko, Milen is amplifying the company’s presence on the global stage.
Streamlining and Enhancing Payments and Security
Paytiko empowers merchants to manage incoming transactions while seamlessly executing and tracking outgoing operations. Businesses can
quickly determine transaction statuses, avoid chargebacks, and access comprehensive records. With its user-friendly interface, real-time statistics, and informative charts, Paytiko helps merchants scale and synchronize their payment operations. Paytiko’s dashboard offers segregated Pay in, Pay out, Reports, and Reconciliation views, enabling quick monitoring and execution of both incoming and outgoing transactions. Real-time analytics provide merchants with a complete record of
Milen Marinov, Chief Product Officer, Paytiko
payments, helping them optimize and synchronize their transactions.
Security is a top priority at Paytiko. The platform employs numerous measures to counteract cyber-attacks. With PCI-DSS certification, Paytiko safeguards clients’ sensitive information during card payments and processing. Additionally, Paytiko is fully GDPR compliant and transparent about data handling practices. “We believe in open communication and ethical practices in all our business dealings,” Milen emphasizes. Such security enables merchants to efficiently manage their payment processes, no matter whom they are dealing with. Paytiko achieves this by optimizing payment processes using an internal system and transactional API tunnels. Doing so also enhances conversions by employing geo-targeted payment method rules, smart transaction routing, and risk management, all while maintaining complete transparency.
With its userfriendly interface, real-time statistics, and informative charts, Paytiko helps merchants scale and synchronize their payment operations
Yet what truly sets Paytiko apart is its accessibility to businesses of all sizes. “Our payment management system is designed to support all types of merchants, especially those handling numerous online transactions,” says Milen. This is emphasized by the company’s unlimited transaction volume policy and the fact that Paytiko’s entire system is modular and adaptable, accommodating complex and intuitive tools to each client’s specific needs.
Overall, each merchant is supported throughout their entire Paytiko journey, from initial training to advanced technical assistance. Individual account managers and relevant team members provide expert advice on various payment-related topics. This approach reflects Paytiko’s commitment to the belief that their clients’ success is their success.
Expanding Horizons
Paytiko takes pride in its technological advancements, including its smart transaction routing system, fully customizable UI/UX, dynamic geotargeting tools, and risk management features. But the firm’s ambition doesn’t stop there. “We aim to soon deliver a unified solution that bridges our internal payment and payout system with financial institutions, electronic money, and bank account operations,” says Milen.
Paytiko is committed to staying abreast of changes in regulations and compliance standards related to online payments. This vigilance is essential as they serve a global community of clients, partners, and stakeholders, including financial institutions and government bodies. As such, the company plans to expand beyond its current reach of 190 countries, offering additional local currencies, settlements, and instant clearing.
Paytiko takes pride in its technological advancements, including its smart transaction routing system, fully customizable UI/UX, and dynamic geo-targeting tools and risk management features
Paytiko’s senior management and legal advisors are continually educated on the ever-changing landscape of payments, ensuring that the company’s policies and procedures are always up-to-date.
“Being aware of the full scope of regulations and compliance standards is a must for us,” Milen emphasizes, highlighting their dedication to maintaining the highest standards in the industry.
Flexible and Transparent Pricing
Paytiko offers a flexible and transparent pricing strategy tailored to businesses of all sizes. With
a one-time setup fee and monthly subscription packages, there are no hidden charges or floating commissions based on volume. “We run our entire operations without percentages and commissions,” says Milen.
Any company that values growth and efficiency can benefit from Paytiko’s services. The platform is designed to support businesses across various industries, enabling them to scale their operations on a local and global level, through technological advantages, addedvalue solutions, and immediate deliverables.
By offering a bespoke service model, Paytiko sets a plan for future growth while being responsive to client feedback.
“Our value offer is enormous,” Milen states, as highlighted by Paytiko’s drive for every client to achieve their goals, whether they are just starting out or looking to expand. This client-centric approach not only facilitates growth but also builds lasting relationships, making Paytiko an invaluable partner for businesses worldwide.
Empowering the Next Generation of Startup Entrepreneurs
Uriel Jaroslawski, CTO, Edenred UAE
What’s your background, Uriel? How did you get started in this industry?
I’m a Computing Engineer from Argentina, passionate about solving problems using software and working with talented people. After taking a couple of part-time programming jobs while I was studying in Buenos Aires, at 19 years old I had the opportunity to join Mercado Libre as an Intern in their team of almost 30 engineers. Little did I know at that time that I was going to take big responsibilities and build a 14 years’ career at what would become the
largest ecommerce and payments company in Latin America, which also turned out to be a case study of entrepreneurship and digital culture. I also spent a few years working in the startup ecosystem in Brazil before I moved to the Middle East in 2022.
What are some of the technology challenges facing the industry right now?
At Edenred we do not develop technology for the sake of technology, but we do it always as a mean to create a positive impact in our users and
When the team fails, the CTO need to make sure they capitalize on the learnings, communicate clearly, correct the path, and move on until they reach the impact that is needed
Uriel Jaroslawski is the Chief Technology Officer(CTO)atEdenredUAE.Heisaseasoned leader in the realm ofTechnology and Product Development, renowned for his expertise in building high-performing teams. Uriel’s career spans startups and large corporations in Latin America and Middle East with ambitious transformation goals, and he firmly champions the Lean product mindset as a core philosophy. Throughout his professional journey, Uriel has spearheaded innovative digital solutions within industries that have experienced significant disruption, including e-commerce, urban mobility, and financial services.Beyondhiscorporatepursuits,Urielis an avid enthusiast of blockchain technologies, and he also dedicates his time to mentoring young startups and offering his expertise to fellow Technology leaders.
Recently, in an exclusive interview with Digital First Magazine, Uriel shared his professional trajectory, his approach to creating a culture of experimentation and innovation within his team, insights on the most impactful innovation in the last five years, personal sources of inspiration, future plans, words of wisdom, and much more. The following excerpts are taken from the interview.
clients. When I mention the word “vulnerable” while referring to our users in UAE, it’s related to their lack of financial safety and, in many cases, also to their low level of literacy. That’s why our main technology challenges derive from continuous efforts to simplify the access and usage of our services, strengthen our fraud prevention and cybersecurity capabilities, and scale our customer support efficiently. The key technology enablers we rely on to conquer these challenges are: reaching an efficient mobile development stack with great performance in the native experience (especially considering lower-end devices), building a scalable cloudbased architecture for our back-end APIs to constantly grow our services and integrations, and implementing a strong cloud-based Data platform to embed advanced analytics and AI in our product development cycle and in our support channels. I believe these points are common across our industry and some players are also facing challenges related to the application of blockchain technologies and testing low-code or no-code solutions to accelerate the development of new products. All of this is happening in a context of an evolving compliance and data protection environment, which should be considered as early as possible in every initiative.
Do you think that CTOs and CIOs officers are developing a new level of authority within the C-suite, and if so, how can they maintain this authority?
I think that this will always depend on each company and their CTO, but in general I do see an increase in awareness about the fact that we are all going to be disrupted at some point through a new technology, and every attempt
to disrupt yourself from inside the company is strategical for the business. This awareness does give the CTOs authority, and to maintain it I believe is key to develop a strong business mindset and the ability to drive measurable impact to customers continuously through technology and manage expectations clearly. It’s delusional in my opinion to call at this stage of the industry a part of the team Business and to think that Technology is separated from it, we are all Business. At the same time, every CTO should incorporate good user experience and operational stability as common-sense elements, where the basics should always be considered before going on an innovation journey. It’s also crucial to minimize the need to convince senior leaders to embark on long term Tech projects that are difficult to connect with business goals. Instead, CTOs should look for proofs of concepts and small investments that can provide enough evidence of the impact they’re trying to make and recurrently reassess the most important things the team should be working on. When the team fails, the CTO need to make sure they capitalize on the learnings, communicate clearly, correct the path, and move on until they reach the impact that is needed. Lastly, the only way to drive impact continuously is by building strong and empowered teams.
Speaking specifically of the financial services and payments platform space, what in your opinion is the most impactful innovation in the last five years?
Even if I’m more curious about the decentralized ecosystem, in my opinion, the most impactful innovation in the space in the last five years has been the real-time payment solutions developed by India and Brazil, UPI and PIX respectively.
I’m currently very excited about blockchain and crypto projects, where we are witnessing the early years of a new global financial and digitalownership ecosystem
Although UPI was launched in 2016, more than five years ago, it reached an impressive adoption and a transactions volume of 1.6 trillion dollars in 2022 according to the National Payments Corporation of India (the organization that developed the service). PIX was launched in 2020 and, according to the Brazilian Central Bank, it reached a transactions volume of 2 trillion dollars in 2022, impacting more than 140 million people (from a total population of around 200 million). Both initiatives clearly accelerated financial inclusion in their respective countries and enabled small businesses to leverage this technology to grow their sales and to digitize their financial needs.
What technology are you most excited about right now?
I’m currently very excited about blockchain and crypto projects, where we are witnessing the early years of a new global financial and digital-ownership ecosystem. The same way that consumers in China leapfrogged the adoption of credit cards to onboard directly on mobile wallets around 10 to 15 years ago, I believe that in this decade many people in Africa, Asia and Latin America will probably leapfrog our current centralized payment solutions by embracing wallets and payment rails based on blockchain platforms. Access to financial services like loans, investments, exchanges, etc. will no longer require a medium to high level income and it will potentially work independently of the infrastructure of the financial system of a specific country. Even when this implies a big challenge for regulators around the world, the potential for financial inclusion is undeniable. Also, traditional financial players will find in this technology a great opportunity to gain speed, strengthen security and reduce costs.
Today our space offers a wide variety of roles and challenges to fit different combinations of skills and interests, so I’d always suggest following a path that resonates with what one really likes doing and where one is able to drive impact
What piece of advice would you give to aspiring CTOs?
Again, success is subjective, and the thing I wouldn’t recommend anyone to do is pursuing a CTO role for the wrong reasons, even if the title might look cool on LinkedIn. Passion for technology and great skills in software engineering are great, but not sufficient to succeed in this path. Today our space offers a wide variety of roles and challenges to fit different combinations of skills and interests, so I’d always suggest following a path that resonates with what one really likes doing and where one is able to drive impact. Having said that, great CTOs spend reasonable time with non-technical people and have the responsibility to connect business strategy with a digestible technical vision, so my first
advice an aspiring CTO would be to exercise the understanding of the main business challenges and the problems at the user level in order to navigate through the solutions with a broad perspective. It’s important to articulate the trade-offs so they become clear to the rest of the team, as well as how they connect with the right technical vision. My second advice is not paying too much attention to titles and promotions, but to the genuine interest of serving fellow engineers by simplifying complex problems, caring about their career development, and helping them connect the objectives with whatever is the most important thing they should do in every work cycle to maximize the chances of achieving great impact. Resilience and time will take care of the rest.
