The Executive Room

Kimberly Afonso
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The Executive Room podcast provides a platform for leaders to showcase their expertise and insights to a targeted audience within the business community. We aim to share new perspectives on pressing issues and industry trends that can benefit thought leaders, attracting new connections and potential collaborations.

  1. APR 27

    The Fundraising Myth: Charlie O’Donnell on What Investors Won’t Tell You About Raising Capital

    In this episode of The Executive Room, host Kimberly Afonso sits down with Venture Capitalist and Author, Charlie O’Donnell, to discuss what founders aren’t told about raising capital and building a startup. Drawing on his decades of experience in venture capital and his new book Founder Unfriendly, Charlie shares a candid perspective on how investors actually make decisions, why most startups don’t get funded, and the common misconceptions founders have about product-market fit. The conversation dives into the reality of startup fundraising, the importance of self-awareness in entrepreneurship, and why persistence alone isn’t enough to succeed. If you’re an entrepreneur, startup founder, or thinking about starting a business, this episode offers practical insights into venture capital. Check out Charlie’s new book: Founder Unfriendly: What Investors Won't Tell You About Getting Funded

    48 min

  2. APR 3

    Beyond Access: Trevor Colhoun on Behavioral Health’s Value Problem

    In the latest episode of the Executive Room podcast, host Kimberly Afonso sits down with Trevor Colhoun, the CEO and founder of TPN Health, to explore how technology, data, and a marketplace approach can transform one of the most complex and underserved sectors in healthcare, behavioral health. Trevor shares how applying marketplace infrastructure and digital systems can bring clarity to behavioral health by improving access, reducing costs, and driving better outcomes for patients, providers, and payers. The episode covers: Why behavioral health lacks a clear value proposition How TPN is building a digital hospital network for mental health The disconnect between providers, payers, and data in healthcare systems What it takes to build trust and scale a provider-first platform Trevor’s insights on leadership and company culture The role of LinkedIn, AI, and visibility in modern leadership Trevor also shares his philosophy on building companies with intention, from hiring for character over skill to creating cultures rooted in honesty, accountability, and purpose. If you’re a founder, executive, or operator in healthcare or any other complex industry, you definitely won’t want to miss this conversation. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or watch the full episode on YouTube.

    39 min

  3. MAR 4

    Closing the Skills Gap: Jordan Levy on Experiential Learning, AI, and the Future of Education

    In this episode of The Executive Room, Kimberly Afonso sits down with Jordan Levy, EdTech entrepreneur, Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, and Founder & CEO of CapSource, to explore how experiential learning is reshaping higher education and early career hiring.Jordan shares how CapSource has connected more than 25,000 students with 3,000+ industry partners across 150 universities through project-based learning, case-based programs, and mentoring-driven experiences. His mission: close the skills gap and ensure students graduate workforce-ready.The conversation dives into:- What experiential learning really means and why it’s critical for career readiness- How industry-integrated education improves hiring outcomes and employee retention- Why AI is forcing a complete rethink of how we assess learning- How universities must evolve to remain relevant in the age of personalized AI-driven learningJordan also shares his entrepreneurial journey, how he pivoted away from a traditional path, and why he believes industry partnerships are the future of scalable, high-impact education.If you care about the future of higher education or the impact of AI on learning, this episode is a must-listen.

    33 min

  4. FEB 18

    Putting Humanity First: Ed Macha on Innovation, Energy, and Future of Sustainability

    In this episode of The Executive Room, our CEO and podcast host, Kimberly Afonso, sits down with Ed Macha, Founder & CEO of Reliable Controls, to explore one of the most important—and often overlooked—realities of the clean energy transition: without mining and metals, there is no future for technology, electrification, or sustainability. Ed shares his 26-year journey building a global industrial automation company and explains why the world will need to more than double copper production in the coming decades to support innovation and growth. He discusses the regulatory, workforce, water, and geopolitical challenges—and the opportunities they present for smarter planning, stronger collaboration, and responsible expansion. He also addresses the disconnect between ambitious climate goals and material realities, and how leaders can thoughtfully balance innovation with accountability. The conversation covers everything from the copper supply challenge to the future of mining, the role of AI as a force multiplier, and why leaders have both the platform and the responsibility to speak up. This episode is for leaders in energy, mining, sustainability, infrastructure, and technology, as well as anyone interested in the real systems that power modern life. Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

    40 min

  5. FEB 4

    Rethinking Success: Adam McGraw on Leadership, Fulfillment, and Legacy

    In this episode of The Executive Room, host Kimberly Afonso sits down with Adam McGraw, executive coach, keynote speaker, and Co-Founder & CEO of CREW, a private community for senior executives focused on purpose, connection, and fulfillment. Adam shares why traditional definitions of success no longer hold up. Drawing on his experience coaching over 500 senior executives, his entrepreneurial journey, establishing CREW, and his work with Positive Intelligence, Adam explains how leaders can build resilience, regulate stress, and lead with authenticity in today’s world. In this conversation, we explore: Why high-performing executives often struggle with fulfillment, regardless of title or compensationHow leaders can be intentional about the careers they’re building, and the legacy they will leave behindHow community and peer support help leaders navigate the second half of their careersThe difference between networking and a true leadership communityHow leaders can recover faster from stress and stay grounded amid constant changeThe demands of modern leadership in the age of AI and uncertaintyThis episode is a must-listen for CEOs, founders, and senior executives who are rethinking success, reputation, identity, and what truly matters in the long term.

    34 min

  6. JAN 20

    Ashish Saxena’s Growth Mandate: Leading with Purpose in the Age of AI

    In this episode of The Executive Room, host Kimberly Afonso (CEO & Founder, KA Consulting Group) sits down with Ashish Saxena, Chief Growth Officer at CoreStack, to explore how leaders can drive sustainable growth amid constant disruption. Ashish shares his highlights from 2025, including stepping outside his comfort zone, advising private equity firms on technology investments, publishing his new book The Growth Mandate: Leadership in an Exponential World, and stepping into his new role leading growth at CoreStack, an AI-powered cloud governance and security company. We discuss: How to operationalize a growth mindset through vision, strategy, execution, and customer centricityThe leadership shift required to restructure your business for AIHow CoreStack applies AI for productivity, product innovation, FinOps, CloudOps, and SecOpsWhy visibility matters and practical advice for leaders to build thought leadershipHow The Growth Mandate offers a manual for leaders with exercises and seven leadership levers.The questions every leader should ask about growth, technology, community, and legacyIf you’re a CEO, founder, or growth leader navigating AI and transformation, this episode offers practical insights on how to align purpose with performance and build growth that lasts.

    34 min

  7. JAN 8

    Too Hard Not to Love: Mark Walker on Tech Leadership and AI

    In this episode of The Executive Room, host Kimberly Afonso, CEO & Founder of The KA Consulting Group, sits down with Mark Walker, serial entrepreneur and CEO of Nue, to explore leadership, strategy, and building companies during AI-driven disruption. With over 30 years of experience scaling SaaS, CRM, and ERP businesses, Mark shares how curiosity, not career planning, has shaped his journey from law to enterprise software. He explains why traditional three-year strategic plans no longer work, how AI is forcing leaders to rethink execution cycles, and what it truly means to lead high-performing teams through uncertainty. In this conversation, we cover: Why “it’s never about the money.”Why leaders must re-evaluate strategy every 3–6 months in today’s AI-driven landscapeWhat CEOs still underestimate about AI’s impactLoving the work is non-negotiable as a leader.This episode is a must-listen for CEOs and founders navigating growth, AI adoption, and organizational change. Subscribe to The Executive Room Podcast for more conversations with visionary leaders.

    29 min

  8. 12/17/2025

    People-First Leadership: Charles Bender’s Journey from Navy Veteran to Entrepreneur

    In this episode of The Executive Room, host Kimberly Afonso, CEO & Founder of The KA Consulting Group, sits down with Charles “Chuck” Bender, CEO of Skynet Broadband and Attentus Technologies. Chuck’s journey is anything but linear. From growing up in poverty to serving in the U.S. Navy to building two thriving companies by solving real problems in rural communities, his story is a masterclass in purpose-driven leadership. We explore: How the idea of Skynet Broadband emerged from a real needThe accidental birth of Attentus Technologies and learning to lead two companies at onceHis people-first philosophyThe real role of AI in IT services, what will be replaced, and what can never beLessons from 25 years in Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO)His views on entrepreneurship, authenticity, vulnerability, and transparency in leadershipTune in for an episode packed with wisdom and real-world leadership lessons.

    37 min
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About

The Executive Room podcast provides a platform for leaders to showcase their expertise and insights to a targeted audience within the business community. We aim to share new perspectives on pressing issues and industry trends that can benefit thought leaders, attracting new connections and potential collaborations.

Information

  • Creator
    Kimberly Afonso
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    41
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Kimberly Afonso
  • Show Website
    The Executive Room