You would believe it, but four billion people in the world do not have an address. We take it for granted in first and 2nd world nations. But imagine not having a framework to get things to you.  Shocking! This is why  Emre Turan, the tech leader of UNL Global, leads the tech to create the internet of places. An addressing system to bring people out of address poverty. Maybe we in more modernized countries will adopt the same system. Thus creating a standardized global standard. 

Key takeaways from the podcast with Emre are: 

• The importance of creating a system that anywhere in the world can have an address 

• Making sure external outsourced teams are invited into the fold of a company. Please don't treat them differently 

• Using data to create self-healing maps  

• The importance of reading the book "Thinking, Fast and Slow" by Daniel Kahneman. It raises awareness around a bug that all of humanity has and will serve your leadership immensely. 

Our Guest: Emre Turan 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eturan/
Website: https://www.unl.global/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/emre_turan
 
Intro and background music: Craig MacArthur - Power Shutoff (www.youtube.com/watch?v=x74iB_jtauw)

Episode 40: Solving Address Poverty With Emre Turan

We all hope for a day when we don't need to mention, or even be surprised, when we see women leading in tech. But, until that wonderful moment arrives, we will celebrate a marvelous leader's journey and her leadership practices. Bela Labovitch, the VP of engineering at athenahealth, joins us to share her story and why she has much gratitude for her job. And importantly, how she makes the role effective and delightful for her people, the end customer, and the business itself. 

We also look at the problem that athenahealth is solving in the market and how it allows doctors and similar professionals to focus on what they love doing by adding ease and automation to important aspects of their business operations. 

Key takeaways from the podcast with Bela are: 

• The importance of metrics and measuring 

• The power of a tool we all have as leaders--mindfulness and how that can be enacted to great effect on all aspects of the role 

• How companies can help create more diversity within their companies and encourage girls and women into tech 

Our Guest: Bela Labovitch  
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bela-labovitch-333a7b/
Website: Cloud-computing in healthcare | athenahealth : https://www.athenahealth.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/athenahealth

Intro and background music: Craig MacArthur - Power Shutoff (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x74iB_jtauw)

Episode 41: Mindful leadership in athenahealth With Bela Labovitch

The stereotypes say that sports and tech don’t go well together, but the reality is, that tech has taken all sports to the next level. From gathering game data to performance analysis all the way to getting insight into what’s happening on a field – the marriage between sports and tech has been rather spectacular. In this episode, I talked with Ben Burdsall, CTO of one of the biggest sports technology companies in the world, Sportsradar – and we talked about it all: from his beginnings, through his learning process, and how he was shaped as a leader, all the way to what he does now with Sportsradar.

Key takeaways from the podcast are:

• Why putting people first will help reduce potential depersonalization in big companies 
• How the concept of “mean time to innocence” can actually help businesses locate issues and respond faster
• Why diversity in all its forms can help growth and well-being at workplaces

Our Guest: Ben Burdsall 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-burdsall-6ba2bb/ 
Website: https://sportradar.com/ 

Intro and background music: Craig MacArthur - Power Shutoff (www.youtube.com/watch?v=x74iB_jtauw)

Episode 115: Digitizing Sports Through Data With Ben Burdsall

In this episode of CTO Confessions, host TC Gill chats with Ivan Kusalic, CTO of green tech organization Enpal. Ivan’s diverse career has shaped his unique approach to tech leadership, rooted in curiosity, empathy, and a commitment to transparency and growth. He shares candid insights on leading in the renewable energy industry, inspiring tech leaders of all levels.

Key takeaways from the podcast are:

Curiosity and empathy: Drive innovation and connection.

Transparency: Encourage feedback and learning from mistakes.

Tech alignment: Bridge tech and business effectively.

Our Guest: Ivan Kusalic 
LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/ikusalic/ 
Website: https://www.ivankusalic.com/ 

Intro and background music: Craig MacArthur - Power Shutoff (www.youtube.com/watch?v=x74iB_jtauw)

Episode 162: The Human Side Of Tech Leadership With Ivan Kusalic

In this episode of CTO Confessions, TC Gill talks with engineering leaders Matt Culver & Nomaan Ahmed from Super.com about how data-driven decision-making shapes both engineering and company culture. They explore the role of data in leadership, team dynamics, and fostering a strong workplace culture.

Key Takeaways:
- Measuring the right things, even intangibles like happiness, helps build a strong organizational foundation.
- Leaders must listen, adapt, and embrace feedback to avoid blind spots and poor decisions.
– Hiring for cultural alignment and fostering organic team connections strengthens the workplace.
Success depends on a team-driven mindset, the ability to pivot, and a shared vision.

Our Guests: Matt Culver & Nomaan Ahmed 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattculver/ & https://www.linkedin.com/in/nomaanahmed/ 
Website: https://www.super.com/ 

Intro and background music: Craig MacArthur - Power Shutoff (www.youtube.com/watch?v=x74iB_jtauw) 

Episode 169: Designing Culture with Data at the Core with Matt Culver & Nomaan Ahmed

In this episode, we explore how emotions and technology work together to support employee growth. Tune in for a thoughtful discussion on what happens when technology meets emotions within the context of an organization.

Key takeaways from the podcast are:

- Aligning executive vision with employee execution fosters a unified direction.
- Unstructured company survey language reveals emotions and intent, now decipherable with technology.
- Encouraging risk-taking empowers employees to experiment and grow.
- Balancing uniqueness with shared experiences enhances relevance and appeal.

Our Guest: Armen Berjikly
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/armenb/
Website: https://www.betterup.com/

Intro and background music: Craig MacArthur - Power Shutoff (www.youtube.com/watch?v=x74iB_jtauw)

Episode 170: The Intersection of Emotion and Technology with Armen Berjikly

In this episode of CTO Confessions, Dan Van Tran shares how AI and tech power the authentication of collectibles, from cards to video games. We explore AI-driven pricing, scaling tech teams, and servant leadership in a unique industry.

Key takeaways:

- AI’s role in authenticating and valuing collectibles
- Why emotions matter in price estimation
- The challenges of scaling and leading with transparency

Our Guest: Dan Van Tran 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dantran/  
Website: https://www.collectors.com/  

Intro and background music: Craig MacArthur - Power Shutoff (www.youtube.com/watch?v=x74iB_jtauw) 

Episode 171: Servant Tech Leadership in the Realm of Collectors with Dan Van Tran

How do tech leaders build scalable, sustainable systems without descending into chaos? Rob Molchon, CTO of Vestwell, shares his insights on structuring order in fast-moving tech environments. We also take a quick trip down memory lane to see just how far tech has come.

Key takeaways from the podcast are: 
– Clear ownership ensures tasks get done without constant oversight.
– Strong foundations start with the right team in the right positions.
– Change is inevitable; managing it wisely is key.

Our Guest: Rob Molcon 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-molchon-2160652/ 
Website: https://www.vestwell.com/ 

Intro and background music: Craig MacArthur - Power Shutoff (www.youtube.com/watch?v=x74iB_jtauw) 

Episode 173: Systematizing Chaos - The CTO’s Playbook with Rob Molchon

In this episode, Eric Levin shares his journey to becoming CTO and how taking calculated risks shaped his leadership style, one that's purpose-driven and people-focused.

Key takeaways:

- Why calculated risks are essential for growth

- How transparency can strengthen team dynamics

- Why embracing hard, boring tasks matters for leadership

Tune in for an honest look at leadership in action.

Important Risk Information: 

GCM Grosvenor (NASDAQ: GCMG) is a global alternative asset management solutions provider across private equity, infrastructure, real estate, credit, and absolute return investment strategies. Investments in alternatives are speculative and involve substantial risk, including market risks, credit risks, macroeconomic risks, liquidity risks, manager risks, counterparty risks, interest rate risks, and operational risks, and may result in the possible loss of your entire investment. No assurance can be given that any investment will achieve its objectives or avoid losses. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. The views expressed are for informational purposes only and are not intended to serve as a forecast, a guarantee of future results, investment recommendations or an offer to buy or sell securities by GCM Grosvenor. All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice in reaction to shifting market, economic, or political conditions. GCM Grosvenor® and Grosvenor® are trademarks of GCM Grosvenor and its affiliated entities. ©2025 GCM Grosvenor L.P. All rights reserved. 

Our Guest: Eric Levin 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/levin-eric/ 
Website: http://www.gcmgrosvenor.com 

Intro and background music: Craig MacArthur - Power Shutoff (www.youtube.com/watch?v=x74iB_jtauw) 

Episode 175: Growing as a Leader by Taking Calculated Risks with Eric Levin

What makes great tech solutions truly effective? It’s not features, it’s outcomes. In this episode, TC Gill speaks with Drew Morrell, Head of Engineering at Workiva, about why user-centered design, agile thinking, and purposeful product development matter more than feature counts.

Tune in for insights that cut through the noise and get to the core of what product teams should focus on.

Episode 176: Why Purpose Beats Features: Designing for Outcomes with Drew Morrell

This week, TC Gill is joined by Oleg Korenfeld, CTO at CMI Media Group, to unpack how technology transforms health and wellness marketing. From traditional media to data-driven strategies, Oleg shares insights on building scalable solutions that deliver real campaign value.

Expect stories on innovation, strategic tech adoption, and the evolving role of marketing tech leaders.

Episode 177: Building End to End Solutions for Health & Wellness Marketing with Oleg Korenfield

What happens when a company grows through acquisitions but wants to keep the startup spirit alive?

In this episode, TC Gill sits down with Ed Frederici, CTO at Appfire, to explore how to build harmony in a scaling tech company, without crushing innovation. From preserving entrepreneurial culture to building strong, autonomous teams, this one’s packed with insight.

Episode 178: Creating Harmony in a Scaling Company Fueled by Acquisitions with Ed Federici

What makes great software truly customer-centric? 

In this week’s episode, Chris Huff, former CTO at Rent Group, joins TC Gill to break down the real secret behind building products that actually serve users. Spoiler: it’s not about adding more features.

Episode 180: The Secret to Great Customer-Centric Software with Chris Huff

In this episode, we sit down with Michael Finnegan, Chief Technology Officer at Cognosos, to rethink what’s possible with RTLS (Real-Time Location Services) in the AI era.

Michael shares how he’s achieving more with less data, offering a fresh perspective on crafting smarter, scalable tech solutions. From reimagining product development to embracing real-time insights, this episode is packed with practical takeaways for tech leaders.

Tune in now and discover how to flip the script on traditional tech thinking.


Episode 181: Rethinking RTLS: Achieving More with Less Data in the AI Era With Michael Finnegan

What happens when deep technical knowledge meets real-world domain expertise?

In this episode, TC Gill is joined by James Long, CTO at Palomar, to explore what it takes to lead with clarity in a high-stakes environment. From modeling risk to building strong, cross-functional teams, this conversation is packed with practical insights for tech leaders.

If you're looking to sharpen your leadership edge, this episode delivers.

Episode 182: A CTO's Career Guide: Blending Tech and Business with James Long

Can good leadership be taught or does it come down to who you are?

In this episode, we sit down with Wes Bailey, Founder at Par Not Far, for a refreshingly honest conversation about leadership, bureaucracy, and why some of today’s sacred practices might need to go.

If you’re tired of corporate speak and want something real, this is the episode for you.

Episode 184: Do Good Leaders Get to the Top? A Discussion with Wes Bailey

In this episode of CTO Confessions, we sit down with Reinaldo Ynchaustegui, CTO in the asset management space, for an overview of what it really takes to lead in tech. From dissecting how to automate a tech team’s workflow without losing the human touch to exploring the critical role of emotional intelligence in leadership, Reinaldo shares insights from the frontlines. 

Tune in to hear the realities behind the role and the balance between tech and people.

Episode 185: Leading at the Intersection of Technology and Finance with Reinaldo Ynchaustegui

Allen Cheung, SVP of Engineering at UJET.cx, sat down with our host TC Gill for our podcast CTO Confessions to explore how AI is reshaping the tech industry and why some programmers resist this transformation.


Whether you’re building teams, navigating the shift to AI-powered engineering, or simply looking to embrace growth through change, this conversation will challenge and inspire you.

Episode 187: Programmers' Resistance in the Age of AI with Allen Cheung

Naresh Singh, Partner and CTO at Lenox Advisors, sat down with our host TC Gill for our podcast CTO Confessions to discuss how technology is reshaping wealth management from AI-driven data systems to leadership grounded in both technical foresight and servant leadership.

Whether you’re navigating financial services, driving transformation through technology, or leading high-performing teams, this conversation will inspire and equip you with practical insights.

Episode 188: Wealth Management Driven by Technology with Naresh Singh

Aleksandra Gjinovska, Head of Technology at IT Labs, sat down with our host TC Gill for our podcast CTO Confessions to share her journey as a woman leading in a male-dominated industry and how mentorship, saying no, and organizational support shape future leaders.

Whether you’re scaling teams, mentoring future leaders, or striving to foster inclusive leadership, this conversation is full of insights that will inspire and challenge you.

Episode 189: Connecting the Dots in Tech Leadership with Aleksandra Gjinovska

Technology is advancing faster than ever, but what keeps it meaningful is the human side behind the solutions.

In this episode, Falko Buttler, CTO at Lantern, shares how he balances innovation with empathy, scaling tech platforms that support people through life’s most sensitive moments. From early iOS development to leading large-scale transformation, Falko brings insights on building tech that truly serves.

This conversation is a reminder that even in an age of AI, leadership must be anchored in human connection.

Episode 190: In a World of AI, Let’s not Forget the Human with Falko Buttler

How do you lead through culture shifts, acquisitions, and organizational change, without losing sight of people?

In this episode, Adan Pope, Senior VP at TAG, shares insights on leadership during high-stakes transitions. From building tension maps to understanding organizational dynamics, his perspective highlights how leaders can turn uncertainty into clarity and growth.

This conversation is a masterclass in leading with methodology, empathy, and foresight during times of change.

Episode 191: There Are No Mergers, Only Acquisitions with Adan Pope

In this thought-provoking episode, Wes Bailey returns for round two with TC Gill to explore one of the boldest questions in tech leadership today: what happens when innovation, AI, and adaptability redefine the very essence of a CTO?

This conversation is part wake-up call, part survival guide for the future of tech leadership and it might just make you rethink your next career move.

Episode 192: We Don’t Need CTO’s Anymore with Wes Bailey

From Hollywood special effects to cutting-edge AI - this episode covers it all.

Join Michael Natkin, Former SVP of Software Engineering at Glowforge, and TC Gill as they dive into why AI is imperative in today’s tech landscape, how creativity and innovation intersect, and what leaders can do to keep their teams inspired in the age of automation.

Episode 193: A Conversation about Terminators and Lasers with Michael Natkin

In this episode of CTO Confessions, TC Gill sits down with Eddie Pecker, CTO at APEXX, a payment orchestration platform trusted by enterprise companies worldwide. From comparing technical debt to mortgages to breaking down what “deploying with confidence” should look like in 2025, Eddie brings a refreshingly practical view of leadership, AI, and security in fast-moving tech teams.

Episode 194: How to Deploy with Confidence in 2025 with Eddie Pecker

In this episode, Andrew Overholt, VP of Engineering at Mozilla, joins TC Gill to explore how Mozilla lives its mission, putting users first, leading with humility, and shaping the future of an open and accessible internet. From policy to innovation, Andrew shares how democratizing tech can (and should) influence how we build the web.

Episode 195: The Case for Democratizing Tech with Andrew Overholt

Chaos isn’t the enemy, unmanaged chaos is.

In this episode, Kader Sakkaria, Global Head of Data Technology (DoE) and Delivery at Gallagher, joins TC Gill to unpack why chaos can actually fuel innovation when leaders know how to harness it.

From cultural transformation to navigating complexity in fast-moving environments, this conversation is a practical guide for tech leaders looking to turn disruption into opportunity.

Episode 196: How to Catalyze Chaos in Tech with Kader Sakkaria

Regulation isn’t a roadblock; it’s the guardrail helping blockchain grow up.

In this episode, Tim Sabanov, CTO at Zumo, joins TC Gill to break down the hype, the misconceptions, and the slow-but-purposeful pace of regulation shaping the future of digital assets.

From decentralization to the Web2–Web3 shift, this conversation gives tech leaders a clear, grounded view of where blockchain is headed — and why patience might be its greatest advantage.

Episode 197: Beyond Bitcoin: How Blockchain is shaping the Future

Alexandre Goedert, VP of Engineering at SurePay, sat down with our host TC Gill for our podcast CTO Confessions to discuss what it really means to lead from the core—where people, architecture, and cross-team alignment intersect.

💬 What you’ll hear in this episode:
✅ Why architecture should start within teams—but needs cross-team alignment at scale
✅ How people and soft skills become critical as engineers move into leadership roles
✅ The hidden challenges of cross-team architecture and modern GenAI frustrations
✅ Why leadership can become lonelier the higher you go

💡 “The higher you go up in an organization, the lonelier it can be.” – Alexandre Goedert

Whether you’re leading multiple teams, navigating complex architectures, or growing into senior leadership, this conversation offers thoughtful perspectives on building healthy teams and scalable systems—without losing the human side of tech.

Episode 198: People, Architecture, and the Cross-Team Perspective

Hi my name is TC, and I’m honoured to be hosting the CTO Confessions podcast brought to you by IT Labs. So let’s talk about our first episode (drum roll…) “Business Agility in the context of the Corona Virus challenge“. Snappy title right? As if the world was not complicated enough with businesses having to navigate fast, dramatic changes in the market place, and also internally to the organization. Along comes a devastating pandemic that has us all disrupted in so many ways. So as a business leader, what can you do to keep the business afloat?  

How can you keep all your crew happy? How can you lead in a time of increased VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity)? Listen to our podcast to get some insights from our Chief Methodologist, Mr Manoj Khanna. Hosted by TC Gill and all brought to you by IT Labs. 


Our Guest: Manoj Khana 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manojkhanna/ 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/khannamanoj 

To fill in our Questionnaire regarding Business Agility, please follow this link: https://us19.list-manage.com/survey?u=977e2d034e412e284039af7bd&id=a70d1552cc

Intro and background music: Craig MacArthur - Power Shutoff (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x74iB_jtauw)

CTO Confessions

Episode 1: Business Agility in the context of the Corona Virus challenge with Manoj Khana

Hosted by TC Gill, this podcast explores the dynamic world of technology leadership. Each episode explores the challenges, strategies, and stories that shape the lives of today’s CTOs and tech leaders.  

From navigating complex business issues to leading high-performing teams, CTO Confessions sheds light on the multifaceted role of technology executives, highlighting the critical decisions they make and the impact they have on organizations.  

Join us as we unpack the realities of tech leadership and share insights that rarely get the appreciation they deserve, all with a healthy dose of curiosity and candor. 

Brought to you by IT Labs.

CTO Confessions

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