Disruptive CEO Nation
Business & Finance
About
EXECUTIVE COACH + GLOBAL BUSINESS LEADER ADVISOR. SPEAKER. AUTHOR. GUIDING SMART PEOPLE TO GROW INFLUENCE & CREATE OPPORTUNITIES Over 30 years, I have had the opportunity to work with fantastic organizations, impressive individuals and key industry leaders across six continents. Sitting in the corner office in both corporate and non-profit environments, I’ve attained, delivered and coached success in both the C-Suite and international board rooms. My diverse experience has provided cross-cultural insights into the talents, skills and measures required by individuals not only to get to the top, but to THRIVE at the pinnacle of business… And now I am happy to share that knowledge and support you in your quest for influence, empowerment, and ultimately success.
Episodes
- Ep 334: Inside the CEO Mindset on the Sell‑Side of Acquisitions with Kyle Park, Co-Founder & Managing Director of Harvest Management Partners, LLC; Campbell, CA, USA
This episode features Kyle Park, Co-Founder & Managing Director of Harvest Management Partners, discussing the sell-side of acquisitions. Topics include the impact of AI on the market, what buyers seek in tech acquisitions, common founder…
- Ep 333 Custom Packaging Solutions: Building a Scalable Business with Jason Wong, Founder & CEO of Paking Duck; Newport Beach, CA and Guangzhou, China
Jason Wong, founder and CEO of Paking Duck, shares insights on scaling a global packaging company. The discussion covers packaging as a brand experience, bootstrapped growth strategies, content-driven marketing, leveraging global manufactu…
- Ep 332 How CEOs Use Story to Lead and Stand Out with Lisa Martin, Founder of Lisa Martin Media; San Jose, CA, USA
In episode 332 of Disruptive CEO Nation, Lisa Martin, founder of Lisa Martin Media, shares insights on how CEOs can lead and stand out using storytelling and active listening. The discussion emphasizes focusing on customer outcomes, the po…
- Ep 331 Smart Startup & the Product Blueprint with Joel Brewer, Founder & CEO of Brewer Digital; Denver, CO, USA
Joel Brewer, CEO of Brewer Digital, explains that startup failure often stems from miscommunication in product development, not flawed ideas. He highlights the importance of clear communication, avoiding wasted resources, and the strategic…
- Ep 330 Optimize Your Business Through Human Solutions with Christopher McShanag, founder and CEO of Virtual Teammate; Glendale, AZ, USA
Christopher McShanag, CEO of Virtual Teammate, explains how business owners can delegate tasks to virtual teammates to reclaim their time and focus on growth. The episode addresses common outsourcing fears, emphasizing the importance of st…
- Ep 329 The Legacy of Your Leadership & the Leaders You Grow with Shanita Akintonde, Author, Tedx Speaker, and President of ShanitaSpeaks; Chicago, IL, USA
What if the strongest leadership lessons for building the future were waiting for us on the front porch of our past? In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Shanita Akintonde to talk about her book The Front Porch Leader a…
- Ep 328 Bold Women in Business: Take the Leap & Make the Ask with Maria Doughty, CEO of The Chicago Network; Chicago, IL, USA
What separates successful women leaders from the rest often comes down to curiosity, courage, and the willingness to use their voice. In this special episode honoring International Women’s Month, I had the pleasure of speaking with Maria D…
- Ep 327 High Stakes in Business: The Signals You Send as a Leader with Alan McLaren, Co-founder of Strata Originals; Oakville, Ontario, Canada
What if every interaction you have as a leader is silently answering one question for your team: Are you safe to follow? In this episode, I sit down with Alan McLaren, co-founder of Strata Originals, to explore the invisible signals leader…
- Ep 326 Employee Sentiment & Workplace Love with Louis Carter, Founder of Most Loved Workplace; Palm Beach, FL, USA
What if being unmistakably human is your biggest competitive advantage in an AI-first world? In this episode, I sat down with Louis Carter, founder of Most Loved Workplace, to talk about why workplace culture is being tested and reshaped f…
- Ep 325 Profit Mastery: Keep More of What You Make with Ben Hansen, The Profit Doctor; Austin, TX, USA
Most leaders swear they have a revenue problem, but sometimes that belief is often the fastest way to stay stuck with “profititis.” In this episode of Disruptive CEO Nation , I sat down with Ben Hansen, the “Profitability Doctor,” to unpac…
- Ep 324 Designing the Category You Can Win with Kevin Maney, author and Co-Founder of Category Design Advisors; New York, NY, USA
What if the fastest way to win your market isn’t competing harder, but changing the category entirely? This week, I sit down with Kevin Maney, co-author of Play Bigger and founding partner of Category Design Advisors, for a deep dive into…
- Ep 323 Autonomously Intelligent - Your AI Employees with Alok Kumar, Co-Founder & CEO of Cozmo AI; San Francisco, CA, USA
Are AI employees the future of hiring and operations? In today’s episode, I sat down with Alok Kumar, co-founder and CEO of Cozmo AI, to explore the cutting-edge AI tools that are changing the game for enterprises. Alok takes us inside Coz…
- Ep 322 Beyond the Bin: Data, Compliance, and the Future of Waste Tech with Lainika Johnson, founder of Eco in the City and CEO of TrashLogic; Sacramento, CA, USA
From kitchen-table beginnings to revolutionizing waste management, Lainika’s journey proves that with vision and innovation, you can build a multi-million dollar business that tackles global challenges. In this heartfelt episode, Lainika J…
- Ep 321 A Lesson in the Circular Economy in Electronics with Christopher Hale, founder and CEO of SmartphonesPLUS; Cedar Rapids, IA, USA
What started as a small side hustle in a basement has become a renowned success story, transforming the tech industry and the way we handle e-waste. In this episode, Christopher Hale, founder and CEO of SmartphonesPLUS, takes us behind the…
- Ep 320 Electrifying Homes & Decarbonizing the Future with Stephen Lake, Co-founder & CEO of Jetson Home; Vancouver, BC, Canada
Your home might be polluting more than your car, and the fix is closer than you think. In this episode of Disruptive CEO Nation , I’m joined by Stephen Lake, co-founder and CEO of Jetson Home, a company making home electrification simpler…
- Ep 319 Reinvention of the Home Buying Experience with Ben Bear, Co-founder, CEO at BuildCasa & TurboHome; Oakland, CA, USA
What if buying a home could be more affordable and less stressful? That’s exactly what Ben Bear and TurboHome are making possible. In this episode, I’m talking to Ben Bear, co-founder and CEO of TurboHome, a game-changing platform that is…
- Ep 318 Digital Human Behavior with Mia Umanos, Founder & CEO of Clickvoyant; Fort Collins, CO, USA
What if you could turn customer anxiety into confidence and boost conversions with just a few simple design changes? Today we talk about understanding user behavior through data science, and how it can dramatically improve your digital mar…
- Ep 317: Vision to Reality: Lessons from 200+ Tech Launches with Erin Rollenhagen, Founder & CEO People-Friendly Tech; Des Moines, IA, USA
What’s the secret to creating tech that people not only use but love? In this episode, I have the pleasure of sitting down with Erin Rollenhagen, founder of People Friendly Tech, to discuss her journey of creating innovative tech solutions…
- Ep 316: What Matters Next: Tech, Teams & Trust with Kate O’Neill, Founder & CEO of KO Insights; New York, NY, USA
If you’re making tech decisions faster than your team can absorb them or you’re worried AI might erase the “human” from your business; this conversation will feel like a deep breath and a reset button. Today, I sit down with Kate O’Neill.…
- Ep 315: The Messy Middle of Leadership: Love, AI, and Better Teams with Frank Danna, Marketing Director at Softway and Co-Founder of Culture+; Houston, TX, USA
Can love be a business strategy? In this episode, we talk about how leading with love can transform your team and your bottom line. Frank Danna, a seasoned leader and marketing expert, brings his wisdom on building authentic connections in…
- Ep 314: Beyond the Download: The Business of Mobile Apps with Ghazenfer Monsoor, Founder and CEO of Technology Rivers; Reston, VA, USA
If your product strategy stops at the download, you’re leaving impact—and revenue—on the table. In this conversation, I sit down with Ghazenfer Mansoor, CEO & founder of Technology Rivers, to talk about building software that actually gets…
- Ep 313: Applying Quantum Accountability for Success with Dr. Kevin Kremer; Founder, CEO, and Author; Chico, CA, USA
From dentist to consciousness architect, Dr. Kevin Kremer shares how purpose, processes, and mindset can transform a practice into a portfolio and a leader into a builder of thriving cultures. In this conversation, I sat down with Kevin, a…
- Ep 312: Winning in a Shifting Marketplace with Dhaval Jadav, CEO of alliant; Houston, TX, USA
If you're ready to unlock the blueprint for explosive growth and transformative leadership, this conversation is for you. Dhaval Jadav, CEO of alliant, shares insights into adapting and scaling a business in today’s fast-paced, disruptive…
- Ep 311: Designing the Future of Transportation with Michael Kelly, Chief Strategy Officer at Mozee; Dallas, TX, USA
What if machines could sense the world like we do and use that awareness to make cities safer and more connected? In this episode, I sit down with Michael Kelly, Chief Strategy Officer at Mozee, to unpack Generative Perception Intelligence…
- Ep 310: The Antidote to Leadership Fatigue with Grace Najean, former Platinum Tony Robbins coach; Perth, Australia
What if the next level of your leadership isn’t about learning more but aligning more? In this conversation with Grace Najean, we explore how high achievers can move from stress-driven success to effortless, purpose-anchored leadership. As…
- Ep 309: Does Your Leadership Voice Connect? With Dr. Laura Sicola, linguist, leadership coach, and author; Philadelphia, PA, USA
Want to be the leader people lean in to hear—without getting louder, longer, or “less you”? This conversation shows you how to turn your ideas into influence and how to say them. Today I’m joined by Dr. Laura Sicola—executive presence ment…
- Ep 308: The Wisdom of Ignorance: Unlocking Innovation by Thinking Differently with Alan Gregermann, Keynote Speaker and Author; Silver Spring, MD, USA
If you’ve ever felt stuck running the day-to-day while the future rushes past, this conversation is your permission slip to step outside the building and rethink how your company actually innovates. In this episode, I sit down with innovat…
- Episode 307: AI with Integrity: Scaling Smart, Staying Human with Ron Green, co-founder and CTO of KungFu.AI; Austin, TX, USA
Ever wondered how AI can actually make a real impact on your bottom line? In this episode of Disruptive CEO Nation, Ron Green, co-founder of KungFu.AI, shares how he helped a publicly traded company cut their fraud rate, reduce turnaround…
- Ep 306: Choose Audacity & Bold Success with Anne Marie Anderson, award-winning broadcaster and author; Los Angeles, CA, USA
When life throws chaos at you like typhoons, tech meltdowns, or 87 million live viewers; Anne Marie Anderson’s rule never changes: work the problem. In this week’s energizing conversation, broadcaster and author Anne Marie Anderson joins A…
- Ep 305: From Head Down to Chin Out: Building Trust in Business with Neil Ghosh, Entrepreneur and Author; Baltimore, MD, USA
What does it mean for business leaders to not just keep their heads down—but lift their chins up? In this episode, we explore how CEOs and entrepreneurs can step into authentic leadership that unites, inspires, and drives change. In this t…
- Episode 304: Modern Leadership and Mental Resilience with Dr. Andrew Wittman; St. Petersburg, FL, USA
What does it mean to be the kind of leader who doesn’t break even in the face of chaos, uncertainty, and relentless pressure? In this episode of Disruptive CEO Nation, we sit down with Andrew Wittman, PhD– author, speaker, and founder of t…
- Episode 303: Mission First, People Always: Leading with Empathy and Grit with Angie Morgan, Best-Selling Author, Keynote Speaker, and Executive Coach; Traverse City, MI, USA
What does it really take to lead with empathy in today’s fast-paced world? Today we invited Angie Morgan, a New York Times bestselling author and Marine Corps veteran. She reveals how blending mission-driven leadership with genuine care fo…
- Ep 302 Orchestrating Connections, Culture and Business Results with Noah Askin; Irvine, CA, USA
What if your biggest business breakthroughs aren’t just about strategy or hard skills but about building real, meaningful connections? In this thought-provoking episode, Noah Askin, a professor and leadership expert at UC Irvine, explores…
- Episode 301: Beyond the Warehouse: E-Commerce, Tariffs & Entrepreneurial Grit with Abel Horvath, Founder & CEO of Fulfillment Hub USA; Miami, FL, USA
What happens when a former automotive executive pivots into e-commerce logistics and builds one of the fastest-scaling fulfillment companies in the world? You’ll find out in this revealing conversation with Abel Horvath. In this episode of…
- Episode 300: A Special Conversation with host, Allison Summers
It’s the 300th episode of Disruptive CEO Nation, and Allison Summers is flipping the script! Join her as she’s interviewed by Seth Greene, CEO of Market Domination LLC, for a special celebration filled with powerful leadership insights, be…
- Episode 299: Linking Crypto Consumers to Home Ownership with Josip Rupena, Founder and CEO of Milo; Miami, FL, USA
This week, Josip Rupena, Founder and CEO of Milo, reveals how his company is revolutionizing access to credit by letting clients use their crypto— without cashing it out. If you're curious about real-world crypto applications, borderless l…
- Episode 298: The Drive to Keep Workers Safe and Secure with Kenny Kelley, Founder and CEO of Silent Beacon; Rockville, MD, USA
From Hollywood stuntman to tech founder saving lives—Kenny Kelley’s journey is anything but ordinary. In this powerful episode, he shares how a motorcycle accident led him to create a game-changing safety tech company that’s revolutionizin…
- Episode 297: The Credible Leader - Do They Believe You? With Jenni Field, CEO of Redefining Communications; Sandhurst, England, United Kingdom
What does that mean for leadership in today’s skeptical world? Communications expert Jenni Field joins us to explore how credibility, integrity, and intentional leadership are the cornerstones of organizational trust– and how to build them…
- Episode 296: Reimagining Dignity in Addiction Care with William McKinney, CEO of Eleanor Health; Massachusetts, USA.
What if addiction recovery was treated with the same compassion, personalization, and whole-person care as any other chronic condition? We sit down with William McKinney, CEO of Eleanor Health, to discuss a revolutionary approach to addict…
- Episode 295: Magically Matching Nonprofits to Donated Goods with Disney Petit, founder and CEO of LiquiDonate; San Francisco, CA, USA
What if your company’s unsellable inventory could become a lifeline for nonprofits instead of ending up in a landfill? In this episode of Disruptive CEO Nation, host Allison K. Summers talks with Disney Petit, founder and CEO of LiquiDonat…
- Episode 294: Building Financial Literacy & Investing Habits in Youth with Victor Wang, CEO of Stockpile, San Francisco, CA, USA
What if your child could actually learn to manage money—not just play pretend with it? Teaching kids about money has traditionally involved games, fake dollars, and hypothetical situations. But what if the key to lasting financial habits w…
- Episode 293: Captivating & Charismatic Leadership with Richard Reid, Founder & CEO Richard Reid Enterprises; CapreTown, South Africa and London, England, UK
What do you get when you cross a behavioral psychologist with significant experience in the business world? You get the insightful mind and wisdom of Richard Reid. Richard knows that commanding attention and influence while leading through…
- Episode 292: Empowering Self-Directed Investors with Alexander Harmsen, Founder & CEO of Global Predictions; San Francisco, CA, USA
I love discovering founders who are using technology to democratize access to services that have traditionally been out of reach for many people. That's why I was so excited to speak with Alexander Harmsen, the founder and CEO of Global Pr…
- Episode 291: Stacking Up Success for Pharma and Rare Disease with Jonathan Ogurchak CEO and Founder of STACK and Co-founder Zeal Specialty Pharmacy; Pittsburg, PA, USA
A few years ago we had the pleasure of speaking with Jonathan Ogurchak about the success of his company STACK. Now we have invited him back to see how the business has progressed and learn about his new venture, Zeal Specialty Pharmacy. As…
- Episode 290: Your Passport to Business with Jenny Fielding, Co-founder & Managing Partner of Everywhere Ventures; New York, NY, USA
We always say your best business partner can be in the most surprising places. Today, we discuss why holding a global mindset and helping new companies with their first funding boost, regardless of location, makes for a healthier business…
- Episode 289: Predicting, Planning, & Protecting Your Family for a Long-Term Care Event with Lily Vittayarukskul, Founder & CEO of Waterlily; San Francisco, CA, USA
What if you could look into a crystal ball and see exactly what your family’s long-term care needs will be in the future? In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Lily Vittayarukskul, the brilliant CEO and co-founder of Waterli…
- Episode 288: Protecting Culture With a Clear Vision with Lisa Guillot; Transformational Leadership Coach and Author of Find Your Clear Vision; Chicago, IL, USA
In this episode, I am happy to introduce you to a great mind from my circle here in Chicago. Lisa Guillot, a best-selling author and expert in personal branding, offers a transformative perspective on the significance of a clear vision fra…
- Episode 287: Driving Transformational Change for the Real Estate Investor with Derrick Barker, Co-Founder and CEO of Nectar; Atlanta, GA, USA
From buying property while in his Harvard dorm to starting a business with his wife, Derrick has made it his life's mission to improve the process for and access to real estate investing. Derrick Barker, the co-founder and CEO of Nectar, i…
- Episode 286: The Value of LATAM Human Capital with Brian Samson Founder and CEO, Nearshore (LATAM); Oahu, HI, USA
As the complexity and demands of technology continue to rise in our business lives, CEOs need to explore all available avenues of how to identify and attract top talent. This is where nearshoring comes in. Nearshoring is a valuable vehicle…
- Episode 285 The Change Ready Leader with Sandra Horton, Founder of Activate. Success. Edge.; Vancouver, BC, CA
Sandra J. Horton is a well-known author and speaker who offers valuable insights and practical strategies for today's organizational challenges. As a systemic leadership sustainability strategist, she penned "Activate Success: Tips, Tools…