The Digital Executive

Human-Centered Cybersecurity: Balancing Innovation and Resilience in a Tech-Driven World with CEO Matthew DeChant | Ep 985

Send us a text In this episode of The Digital Executive Podcast by Coruzant Technologies, host Brian Thomas interviews Matthew DeChant, CEO of Security Counsel, an Information Security Management Consultancy. With over 25 years of experience as an in-house CISO and consultant, DeChant shares his expertise on crafting robust cybersecurity programs for organizations and individuals.The conversation explores the importance of adopting a human-centered approach to cybersecurity in the era of AI, emphasizing the need to balance technological advancements with user-centric practices. Matthew DeChant discusses strategies for integrating secure-first principles into software development cycles without compromising innovation, addressing the challenges of maintaining competitive agility. He also highlights the global cybersecurity talent gap, advocating for mentorship, training, and reskilling programs to bridge the divide. Additionally, DeChant underscores the critical role of cybersecurity in enhancing operational resilience and building investor confidence, particularly for tech startups navigating growth and acquisition phases. DeChant emphasizes that effective cybersecurity begins with proactive planning, education, and collaboration across all organizational levels. Tune in to gain actionable insights on safeguarding your business in an evolving digital landscape. 

Revolutionizing Finance with Whole Life Insurance and Blockchain Innovation with CEO Cole Snell | Ep 984

Send us a textIn this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas engages with Cole Snell, a serial entrepreneur and author who has successfully bridged diverse industries from food to fintech. Cole shares his journey from transforming the food industry with blockchain technology to founding Infineo, a company digitizing whole life insurance through blockchain and AI. His story reveals how financial accessibility became his driving force, inspiring his shift to creating solutions that empower individuals and families to build generational wealth.Cole delves into the innovative concepts behind his book, Child Millionaire, which highlights how well-structured whole life insurance policies can secure financial futures for children and families. He explains the parallels between life insurance and digital assets, emphasizing how blockchain technology enables transparency, democratization, and accessibility in this misunderstood asset class.Cole also provides insights into the challenges of disrupting the traditional life insurance industry, the potential of blockchain to eliminate friction and corruption, and the transformative power of peer-to-peer governance models. With a vision for making life insurance accessible to all, Cole outlines how Infineo is paving the way for a new era in financial freedom, ensuring people can secure their futures while nourishing their families.This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about financial innovation, ethical disruption, and leveraging technology to create a fairer, more transparent future.

Empowering Creators and Ethical AI Development with Founder Eric Burgess | Ep 983

Send us a textIn this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas engages with Eric Burgess, founder of Credtent.org, a groundbreaking platform that champions ethical AI development while empowering creators. Eric shares his journey from a seasoned tech innovator at companies like Disney and Microsoft to creating Credtent, a public benefit corporation that ensures artists and content creators retain control and receive fair compensation when their works are used to train AI systems.Eric discusses how Credtent’s licensing model provides creators with agency, allowing them to monetize their work or opt out of AI training. He highlights Credtent’s role as an “orchestration layer,” much like Apple’s disruption of MP3 theft, creating a fair marketplace for AI training data. Eric also explores the intersection of his passions for writing, gamification design, and tech marketing in shaping tools that engage creators while protecting their rights.Looking ahead, Eric envisions a future where human creativity and AI form a symbiotic relationship, enhancing artistic endeavors without compromising ethical standards. Through Credtent, he aims to foster a world where creators thrive alongside AI, maintaining the emotional depth and iterative joy that define the human creative process. Don’t miss this insightful conversation on building a more equitable and ethical AI-driven future.

Transforming DevOps with AI-Powered Innovation with CEO Ted Elliott | Ep 982

Send us a textIn this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas welcomes Ted Elliott, CEO of Copado, to discuss his journey from leading JobScience, one of Salesforce's earliest ISV partners, to revolutionizing DevOps processes at Copado. Ted shares how his experiences building software on Salesforce shaped his approach to creating Copado, an AI-powered DevOps platform that enhances development efficiency and quality.Ted delves into Copado's pioneering use of AI to streamline DevOps processes, from automating tedious tasks like testing and documentation to accelerating feature development cycles. He explains how Copado’s solutions integrate seamlessly with platforms like Salesforce, Git, and Jira, delivering unparalleled value to organizations striving for agile development and scalability. Through real-world examples, such as a television network optimizing global reporting with Copado, Ted highlights how the platform reduces errors, improves team morale, and enables faster, more reliable deployments.Looking ahead, Ted explores the future of DevOps in the AI era, emphasizing the importance of maintaining rigorous processes while achieving step-level advancements in efficiency. With Copado leading the charge, Ted envisions a transformation in how businesses build, deploy, and manage software. Tune in to hear Ted’s insights on embracing change, driving innovation, and making a lasting impact in the tech world.

Revolutionizing Fireproofing and Sustainability: CEO Mike Francis’ Vision | Ep 981

Send us a textIn this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas speaks with Mike Francis, a four-time founder and CEO of Nanotech Materials. Mike shares his remarkable journey from leading teams at Fortune 500 companies to launching startups. He delves into how his corporate experience shaped his entrepreneurial mindset and led to the founding of Nanotech Materials, a company pioneering innovative materials that reduce energy consumption, lower CO2 emissions, and enhance fireproofing for critical infrastructure.Mike reveals the inspiring personal moment that became his "why" for entrepreneurship and discusses the challenges and rewards of building a company from scratch, including crafting fireproof coatings in a garage-turned-lab. He highlights the cutting-edge technologies developed at Nanotech, such as patented particles that improve building sustainability and safety while fostering a culture of innovation within his teams.Looking ahead, Mike shares his strategic vision for Nanotech, including scaling across building envelopes and expanding fireproofing solutions in fire-prone states like California. With a mission-driven approach, Nanotech Materials is setting a new standard for sustainable innovation, making a tangible impact on communities and the environment. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation with a visionary leader committed to creating a safer, greener future.

Revolutionizing Warehousing: Ryan Chesterfield on Automation, Data Strategy, and the Future of Logistics | Ep 980

Send us a textIn this episode of The Digital Executive, Brian Thomas hosts Ryan Chesterfield, founder of Auto-FC, a leading consulting firm specializing in warehouse automation and supply chain optimization. With over 15 years of industry experience, Ryan discusses the transformative trends in warehouse automation, from the shift towards robotics and technology-driven solutions to the impact of e-commerce and labor shortages on operational strategies.Ryan shares his unique insights on navigating complex automation projects, emphasizing the importance of data strategy, understanding ROI, and the order of operations for successful implementation. He highlights how companies can future-proof their systems by adopting scalable, data-driven technologies and fostering in-house expertise.Listeners will gain actionable takeaways on aligning automation investments with business goals, managing labor challenges, and staying competitive in a rapidly evolving logistics landscape. Ryan’s practical and forward-thinking approach sheds light on the critical steps businesses must take to thrive in today’s on-demand economy.

Scaling Smarter: How CEO Asim Razzaq is Transforming Cloud Cost Management | Ep 979

Send us a textIn this episode of The Digital Executive, Brian Thomas sits down with Asim Razzaq, the co-founder and CEO of Yotascale, a leading platform in cloud cost management. Asim shares his journey from leading platform engineering at PayPal—where he navigated the complexities of massive-scale cloud infrastructure—to founding Yotascale, inspired by the need for actionable, data-driven insights in cloud operations.Asim discusses the critical gaps he identified in cloud cost optimization, emphasizing the importance of empowering engineering and finance teams with transparency, accountability, and precise recommendations. He explains how Yotascale bridges the divide between technical teams and financial stakeholders, providing tools to manage runaway costs, streamline cloud operations, and align cloud spending with business objectives.Listeners will gain valuable insights into scaling cloud infrastructure efficiently, fostering a cost-conscious culture, and the future of cloud optimization for enterprises. Asim’s blend of technical expertise and entrepreneurial spirit offers actionable advice for companies navigating the complexities of cloud operations in today's fast-paced digital landscape.

From Six Figures to Seven by 27: DJ Rutherford on Purpose-Driven Entrepreneurship | Ep 978

Send us a textIn this episode of The Digital Executive, Brian Thomas sits down with visionary entrepreneur DJ Rutherford to discuss his remarkable journey from a six-figure corporate role to achieving a seven-figure income by the age of 27. DJ shares candid insights into the pivotal moments that shaped his career, including leaving a secure job to follow his entrepreneurial spirit, learning hard lessons on infrastructure and leadership, and navigating challenges like a near-death health experience.From real estate ventures to collaborating with business legends like Kevin Harrington, DJ recounts how his bold decisions and resilience fueled his success. He also highlights the key takeaways from his upcoming book, "I F**ked Up So You Don’t Have To," aimed at helping others avoid common pitfalls in business.With wisdom on the importance of purpose over profit, clarity in leadership, and the value of sustainable, people-centered business practices, this conversation is a must-listen for aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business leaders alike.

Revolutionizing FinTech: Super Apps, AI, and Innovation with Chief Product Officer Donat Husjainov | Ep 977

Send us a textIn this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas sits down with Donat Husjainov, Chief Product Officer of XData Group, to explore his transformative journey in fintech. With over a decade of experience spanning top European banks like Citadel and Swedbank, Donat shares how his enterprise expertise shapes his innovative approach at XData Group.Discover how Donat is spearheading the creation of "super apps" for European banks, inspired by China's WeChat, to consolidate diverse services under one platform. He also delves into XData’s strategic use of artificial intelligence to enhance product functionality, optimize development processes, and redefine competitor analysis.Lastly, Donat offers insights into staying ahead of fintech trends, emphasizing the importance of user experience and cross-industry inspiration from platforms like Instagram and Spotify. Tune in to learn how XData Group is paving the way for the next generation of financial technology!

Transforming Social Good: Chase Russell on Scaling Impact with Technology | Ep 976

Send us a textIn this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas chats with Chase Russell, Senior Vice President of Product Strategy and Marketing at Bonterra, a social good tech company empowering nonprofits and philanthropists. Chase shares Bonterra’s mission of increasing charitable giving to 3% of US GDP by 2033 through innovative software solutions that connect donors, volunteers, and funders with nonprofits driving impact.Chase explores the biggest challenges nonprofits face, from engaging donors to demonstrating real-world impact, and how Bonterra's AI-driven tools help solve these problems. From predicting optimal donation amounts to creating volunteer networks and detecting corporate matching opportunities, Bonterra’s solutions foster a connected ecosystem that builds trust and maximizes generosity.Chase emphasizes the need for collaboration and advanced technology to ignite transformational change in the social good sector. Tune in to discover how Bonterra is unlocking the full potential of the nonprofit ecosystem to make a lasting impact on the world.