Soul of the CIO

Nexthink
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Soul of the CIO is a new studio-based podcast series spotlighting candid conversations with IT executives and technology influencers. With exclusive sponsorship from Nexthink, the series explores the personal journeys, professional philosophies, and strategic insights of today’s top IT leaders—offering valuable lessons on leadership, innovation, and the future of tech. Be sure to check out the in-person video versions over on YouTube!

  1. Sep 18

    Why Culture, Not Tech, Determines AI Success | Deepika Adusumilli, Fmr. Chief Data and AI Officer, BT

    How do you turn AI from an experiment into a capability that transforms an entire organization? In this episode of Soul of the CIO, we sit down with Deepika Adusumilli, former Chief Data Officer at BT, to explore what it really takes to implement AI at scale. Drawing on her experience leading data and AI transformation at one of the UK's largest telecommunications companies, Deepika explains why successful AI adoption goes far beyond choosing the right technology. It requires trusted data, clear strategy, rapid experimentation, measurable outcomes, and above all, the right culture. Subscribe for more conversations with the world's leading CIOs, CTOs, CISOs, and technology executives on Soul of the CIO: https://www.youtube.com/@SouloftheCIO Download your free copy of Gartner's DEX Magic Quadrant here Book your ticket for Nexthink Experience 2026 (October 5–7, ⁠JW Marriott Grande Lakes ⁠Orlando, Florida) today

  2. Sep 14

    Why Putting AI on Every Desk Won’t Make Your Company More Productive | Dr. Mike Horton

    AI isn’t just another technology upgrade. It’s a fundamental change in how organizations operate. In this episode of Soul of the CIO, we sit down with Dr. Mike Horton, Director of the Center for Applied AI Maturity at Northeastern University and former Chief AI Officer and Chief Data Officer at the U.S. Department of Transportation, to explore why so many organizations are approaching AI the wrong way. Mike argues that AI adoption isn’t about buying the latest tools and expecting productivity to follow. Successful transformation requires organizations to rethink their people, processes, infrastructure, and mission while building the trust employees need to actually embrace AI. Drawing on decades of experience across government, technology, academia, and the military, Mike explains why organizations should focus on enhancing human capabilities rather than replacing them, why AI pilots struggle to scale, and why leaders need to look beyond traditional ROI toward what he calls "return on mission." We also discuss the realities of AI transformation inside the U.S. federal government, the dangers of technology hype, the importance of human-centric AI, and what previous technological revolutions can teach today’s leaders about navigating the AI era. Subscribe for more conversations with the world's leading CIOs, CTOs, CISOs, and technology executives on Soul of the CIO.\ https://www.youtube.com/@SouloftheCIO Download your free copy of Gartner's DEX Magic Quadrant here Book your ticket for Nexthink Experience 2026 (October 5–7, ⁠JW Marriott Grande Lakes ⁠Orlando, Florida) today

  3. Aug 13

    How Great CIOs Actually Make Decisions | Allen Hill, CIO

    What separates great technology leaders from everyone else? According to Allen Hill, it starts with resisting the urge to solve problems before fully understanding them. In this episode of Soul of the CIO, Allen Hill shares the remarkable journey that took him from a childhood of hardship to a distinguished career spanning the U.S. Air Force, Verizon, federal government leadership, and the private sector. Along the way, he reveals the leadership principles that shaped his success, how organizations can adopt AI responsibly, and why Digital Employee Experience is becoming essential for every modern enterprise. Subscribe for more conversations with the world's leading CIOs, CTOs, CISOs, and technology executives on Soul of the CIO.\ https://www.youtube.com/@SouloftheCIO Download your free copy of Gartner's DEX Magic Quadrant here Book your ticket for Nexthink Experience 2026 (October 5–7, ⁠JW Marriott Grande Lakes ⁠Orlando, Florida) today

  4. Jul 23

    911 Emergency Response is Broken. She's fixing it. | Michelle Geddes, CIO

    Discover how technology is transforming emergency response with Michelle, CIO of the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management. In this episode of Soul of the CIO, Michelle shares how one of the nation's busiest emergency management organizations is modernizing 911, adopting AI responsibly, improving disaster response, and leading digital transformation across city government. From managing San Francisco's COVID response to preparing for earthquakes, wildfires, floods, and major public events, Michelle explains what it takes to build resilient technology systems where reliability can mean the difference between life and death. She also discusses the future of cloud based emergency services, AI assisted dispatch, public sector innovation, and what the next generation of CIO leadership looks like. Subscribe for more conversations with the world's leading CIOs, CTOs, CISOs, and technology executives on Soul of the CIO.\ https://www.youtube.com/@SouloftheCIO

  5. Jul 7

    Former DoD CIO Explains AI, Quantum, and the Next Era of Cyber Warfare | Leslie Beavers

    What does it take to lead technology at one of the largest and most complex organizations in the world? In this episode of Soul of the CIO, former U.S. Department of Defense CIO Leslie Beavers shares what it was really like overseeing technology strategy, cybersecurity, and digital transformation at the Pentagon. From leading a $60 billion cybersecurity portfolio to driving zero trust adoption across allied nations, Leslie offers a rare look inside the decisions that shape national security. The conversation explores leadership under pressure, modernizing legacy infrastructure, building interoperable systems with international allies, and why cooperation is often a bigger challenge than the technology itself. Soul of the CIO is Sponsored by Nexthink, the leader in digital employee experience. Learn more: nexthink.com  Subscribe for more conversations with the leaders shaping the future of IT and technology.  Find the full in-studio video version on YouTube @SouloftheCIO

  6. Jun 26

    The Hidden Reason AI Projects Fail | Jason Luce, CTO, Paperless Parts

    What happens when AI meets one of the world's most complex and high stakes industries? n this episode of Soul of the CIO, we sit down with Jason Luce, CTO of Paperless Parts, to explore how manufacturers are adopting AI, automation, and modern software while preserving the expertise that keeps supply chains moving. Jason shares why the future of AI in manufacturing is not about replacing people, but empowering them with better insights, streamlined workflows, and greater transparency. From aerospace supply chains and digital transformation to process mapping and change management, this conversation offers practical lessons for technology leaders navigating AI adoption at scale. Soul of the CIO is Sponsored by Nexthink, the leader in digital employee experience. Learn more: nexthink.com  Subscribe for more conversations with the leaders shaping the future of IT and technology.  Find the full in-studio video version on YouTube @SouloftheCIO

  7. Jun 11

    What Does the CIA Know About AI That You Don’t? | Sue Gordon

    What can intelligence leaders teach today's CIOs about risk, innovation, and navigating uncertainty? In this episode of Soul of the CIO, former Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence Sue Gordon shares lessons from a remarkable career spanning intelligence, cybersecurity, technology innovation, and national security. From helping launch In-Q-Tel to shaping cyber strategy at the highest levels of government, Sue offers a unique perspective on how leaders can balance innovation with governance in an increasingly complex world. The conversation explores the challenges of competing with authoritarian nations, the evolving relationship between government and the private sector, the future of AI and quantum computing, and why resilience matters more than perfection when managing risk. Sue also reflects on her experience serving in the intelligence community, working through major geopolitical challenges, and leading organizations through periods of rapid change. Soul of the CIO is Sponsored by Nexthink, the leader in digital employee experience. Learn more: nexthink.com  Subscribe for more conversations with the leaders shaping the future of IT and technology.  Find the full in-studio video version on YouTube @SouloftheCIO

  8. May 28

    Leidos CIO: Building a Proactive, AI-Enabled IT Organization

    In this episode of Soul of the CIO, Leidos CIO Alexandra Guenther shares how one of the world’s most complex technology organizations is transforming IT service delivery, digital employee experience, and enterprise AI at massive scale. From supporting 50,000 employees across global defense, cybersecurity, and critical infrastructure operations to reducing IT ticket volume through proactive self-healing systems, Alexandra breaks down what it takes to modernize technology inside highly regulated environments. The conversation explores digital employee experience (DEX), AI transformation, predictive analytics, enterprise data strategy, and how CIOs can use technology to unlock productivity and innovation. Soul of the CIO is Sponsored by Nexthink, the leader in digital employee experience. Learn more: nexthink.com  Subscribe for more conversations with the leaders shaping the future of IT and technology.  Find the full in-studio video version on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SouloftheCIO/videos

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About

Soul of the CIO is a new studio-based podcast series spotlighting candid conversations with IT executives and technology influencers. With exclusive sponsorship from Nexthink, the series explores the personal journeys, professional philosophies, and strategic insights of today’s top IT leaders—offering valuable lessons on leadership, innovation, and the future of tech. Be sure to check out the in-person video versions over on YouTube!

Information

  • Creator
    Nexthink
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Nexthink
  • Show Website
    Soul of the CIO

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