20MinuteLeaders - podcast cover

20MinuteLeaders

Michael Matiaswww.facebook.com
20MinuteLeaders features the world's prominent leaders for short conversations about their journeys and insights.
Last refreshed:
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

Securing the AI-Driven World: A Conversation with Daniel Shechter, CEO of Miggo Security

Cybersecurity is no longer just about preventing breaches—it’s now about enabling innovation securely in a fast-moving, AI-powered world. As artificial intelligence becomes embedded in everything from microservices to digital platforms, cybersecurity needs a major mindset shift. Daniel Shechter, CEO of Miggo Security, cybersecurity leader at 8200, and Havazalot program alumni, offers exactly that. Daniel’s journey—from jazz saxophonist to military intelligence, McKinsey consultant, and now start...

May 26, 202545 min

"AI Creates New Threats, but Also Unlocks Solutions We Never Had Before.", a Talk With Maor Saubron

In a world where cybersecurity threats evolve faster than our defenses, AI-driven risks are becoming the frontline challenge for enterprises. To gain deeper insights into this rapidly shifting landscape, I spoke with Maor Saubron, Head of Corporate Security at Amdocs, whose decades-long journey through cybersecurity offers an unparalleled view into how organizations can effectively respond to emerging threats.Maor leads a team of over 200 security professionals at Amdocs, a global technology gia...

May 26, 202536 min

Passwordless Security in the Age of AI: A Conversation with Slavik Markovich, CEO of Descope

Cybersecurity is once again at a critical crossroads—this time, driven by the explosive growth of AI technologies. During a recent visit to Descope’s Palo Alto office, I sat down with CEO Slavik Markovich, a veteran in the cybersecurity space whose past ventures, Demisto (acquired by Palo Alto Networks) and Sentrigo (acquired by McAfee), shaped much of the modern security landscape. Our conversation centered around how AI is radically reshaping digital identity. Slavik and his team—collaborators...

May 23, 202527 min

The New Security Playbook for AI Adoption: A Conversation with Dan Benjamin

The cybersecurity landscape is rapidly evolving, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and the growing complexity of enterprise data environments. In a recent conversation with Dan Benjamin, VP at Palo Alto Networks and co-founder of Dig Security, it became clear that securing data and AI requires moving beyond traditional perimeter-based strategies toward more dynamic, proactive approaches. Dan brings deep entrepreneurial experience. After founding multiple cybersecurity startu...

May 23, 202535 min

Ep1143: Tal-Or Cohen Montemayor: Strategic Compliance

Haunted by the rise of online antisemitism, Tal-Or Cohen Montemayor left a high-powered legal career to launch CyberWell—a nonprofit using AI to hold social media platforms accountable to their own policies. In this conversation, she shares how antisemitic hate moved from fringe forums to mainstream feeds, the troubling aftermath of October 7, and why current systems are failing to respond. Her work exposes the gaps in content moderation and reveals how high-integrity data and generative AI can ...

May 21, 202524 minSeason 1Ep. 1143

Ep1142: Shalev Ifrah: Revenue-First Growth

Shalev Ifrah’s path is one of curiosity, creativity, and continuous growth. From launching his first ventures to building Israel’s leading digital marketing college, he shares how real-world learning, persistence, and strategic risk-taking shaped his entrepreneurial vision. His journey highlights the power of aligned partnerships, rapid adaptation, and turning insights into innovation.#20minuteleaders #EntrepreneurshipJourney #RevenueGrowthStrategies #DigitalMarketingLeadership

May 18, 202526 minSeason 1Ep. 1139

Ep1141: Securing APIs at Enterprise Scale with Roey Eliyahu

At nine, Roey Eliyahu was already coding. By 11, he was freelancing. His path from an IDF cybersecurity unit to founding Salt Security reflects a deep understanding of how microservices and GenAI transformed APIs from simple gateways to complex security risks. He shares why discovery, governance, and protection are now essential pillars for any enterprise navigating rapid innovation—and how early insights shaped a category-defining solution.#20MinuteLeaders #APISecurity #CybersecurityLeadership ...

May 12, 202521 minSeason 1Ep. 1141

Securing AI Adoption: A Conversation with Matan Derman, Co-founder & CEO of Apex

By Michael Matias, CEO of Clarity and Forbes 30 Under 30 alum Cybersecurity is at a turning point, driven by AI’s rapid rise. In a recent conversation with Matan Derman, CEO of Apex, we explored why integrating AI into organizations is inevitable—and why traditional security strategies must evolve to meet AI-specific threats. Derman, with a background in elite Israeli cyber units and Stanford Business School, alongside co-founder Tomer Even, quickly recognized how accessible AI tools like ChatGP...

May 06, 202542 min

AI’s New Frontier in Data Security: A Conversation with Flow Security CEO Jonathan Roizin

By Michael Matias, CEO of Clarity and Forbes 30 Under 30 alum Cybersecurity is at a turning point, driven by artificial intelligence (AI). My conversation with Jonathan Roizin, CEO of Flow Security—now part of CrowdStrike—reinforced the urgent need for organizations to rethink data protection strategies in an era of dynamic, fluid information exchange. The Shifting Nature of Data Security Roizin, a veteran of elite Israeli cybersecurity organizations, has spent over 15 years tackling cyber threa...

May 05, 202536 min

AI and the Cybersecurity Future of Trains: A Conversation with Cylus Co-Founder and CTO Miki Shifman

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping cybersecurity—not just for digital threats but also for critical physical infrastructure like railways. My conversation with Miki Shifman, Co-Founder and CTO of Cylus, underscored the urgent need to extend cybersecurity beyond traditional digital domains to protect transportation systems. Railway Cybersecurity: A Growing Concern Shifman, a cybersecurity expert and Israeli intelligence veteran, co-founded Cylus in 2017 to address vulnerabilities in railwa...

May 05, 202527 min

AI and the Urgency of Real-Time Cybersecurity: A Conversation with Dr. Dorit Dor, Check Point

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a mere enhancement in cybersecurity—it’s essential. My conversation with Dr. Dorit Dor, Chief Technology Officer at Check Point Software Technologies, reinforced AI’s transformative role in defending against cyber threats. As a pioneer in Israel’s cybersecurity sector, Dorit has been shaping security strategies for nearly three decades. AI’s Expanding Role in Cybersecurity From Check Point’s early days to its global prominence, Dorit has emphasized the n...

May 05, 202553 min

AI and the End of Traditional Cybersecurity: A Conversation with Barak Schoster

Cybersecurity is at a turning point, largely driven by rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). My recent conversation with Barak Schoster—a renowned cybersecurity expert and entrepreneur—highlighted AI’s profound impact on the field. Schoster, who founded Bridgecrew (now part of Palo Alto Networks), has extensive experience in advanced threat protection and innovative security solutions. AI’s Role in Cybersecurity Schoster put it simply: “The boundaries have been broken.” Traditional...

May 05, 202544 min

How AI is Shaping the Future of Cyber: A Conversation with Liran Grinberg, Co-founder of Team8

Cybersecurity today is more dynamic and critical than ever, thanks to the transformative influence of AI. Liran Grinberg, Co-founder of Team8, highlighted this evolution in a recent discussion. Drawing on his experience from Israel's elite Unit 8200 and managing over $1 billion in ventures, he shed light on how AI is reshaping cybersecurity. He emphasized that AI isn't just enhancing existing technologies but enabling previously impossible capabilities, which also broadens the attack surface—cre...

May 05, 202555 min

Ep1140: Sagi Shentag: Scaling Global Connectivity

After years in finance and a move from New York back to a kibbutz, Sagi Shentag led Tango from startup to $300M revenue before taking the helm at VOY. Now, he’s transforming global connectivity by making travel data seamless, affordable, and stress-free—turning a complex necessity into a simple, empowering experience. #20MinuteLeaders #GlobalConnectivity #TravelTechInnovation #EntrepreneurialJourney

May 04, 202521 minSeason 1Ep. 1140

Ep1139: Manish Patel: Navigating AI Chaos for Growth

Growing up between Uganda, the UK, and rural Kentucky, Manish Patel’s journey led him from Stanford to Google and then into venture capital. Reflecting on technology’s human impact, Manish shares how today’s AI-driven chaos mirrors past moments of innovation—and why building around human needs, not just features, will define the next generation of companies.#VentureCapital #AIInnovation #StartupMindset

Apr 28, 202521 minSeason 1Ep. 1139

Ep1138: Operationalizing Cyber Risk with Sumedh Thakar

Sumedh Thakar, CEO of Qualys, delves into his journey from software engineer to cybersecurity leader, stressing the critical role of risk quantification in protecting business value. He highlights the dynamic nature of cybersecurity, tackling challenges like AI and quantum security, while offering insights into aligning security efforts with financial impact for long-term resilience. #CyberRiskManagement #CybersecurityLeadership #RiskQuantification #InfoSecStrategy #20MinuteLeaders...

Apr 24, 202523 minSeason 1Ep. 1136

Securing the AI Wild West: A Conversation with Elad Schulman, CEO of Lasso

The arrival of Generative AI marks perhaps the fastest and most dramatic technological change we've ever experienced, reshaping cybersecurity at a pace most organizations are unprepared for. A recent conversation with Elad Schulman, CEO and Co-Founder of Lasso, reinforced my understanding that organizations must rapidly adapt to this new reality, where threats evolve continuously and at an unprecedented rate.Schulman, a seasoned entrepreneur who founded and sold the cybersecurity company Segasec...

Apr 24, 202536 min

Ep1137: Zac Staples on AI for Naval Readiness

A childhood love of tractors and a Navy career shaped Zac Staples’s path to founding Fathom5, the first company to deploy AI on a naval warship. In this episode, he shares how he's tackling the overlooked world of industrial machines—building platforms that bring AI to legacy systems powering national security and daily life. With a focus on trust, machine resilience, and sustainability, Zac offers a grounded, thoughtful perspective on modernizing critical infrastructure in an AI-driven age.#AIi...

Apr 10, 202523 minSeason 1Ep. 1137

AI Revolution in Browser Security: Insights from Ofer Ben-Noon, CTO of SASE at Palo Alto Networks

By Michael Matias, CEO of Clarity and Forbes 30 Under 30 alum Cybersecurity is at a pivotal crossroads, transformed by AI and the realities of hybrid work. In my recent conversation with Ofer Ben-Noon—founder of Talon Cyber Security and former CEO of Argus Cyber Security—it became clear that traditional cybersecurity strategies must evolve, especially as the browser becomes the primary gateway to enterprise data. With a background in Israel’s elite Unit 8200 and as a pioneer in automotive cybers...

Mar 26, 202538 min

Ep1136: Harel Ram: Building the Negev Innovation Hub

From overcoming startup challenges to driving regional innovation, Harel Ram shares his journey from entrepreneur to ecosystem leader. He unpacks the transformation of Beersheba into a global tech hub, the power of strategic partnerships, and the lessons learned in balancing vision, investment, and execution to create lasting value for startups, investors, and the wider tech industry.#TechInnovation #StartupEcosystem #BeershebaTechHub

Mar 24, 202525 minSeason 1Ep. 1136

Ep1135: Itamar Friedman: Safeguarding AI Code Integrity

From military service to deep tech startups, Itamar Friedman has always been drawn to solving complex problems. Now, as the founder of Codo, he sees AI-driven code integrity as his life’s mission. In this conversation, he unpacks the rapid evolution of AI in software development, the future of automated code testing and review, and the critical role AI will play in ensuring software aligns with ethical and security standards. With insights on the intersection of AI, infrastructure, and the next ...

Mar 18, 202533 minSeason 1Ep. 1135

Ep1134: Eric O’Neill on the Future of Cybersecurity: Trust Over Data

Trust is the new currency in cybersecurity. Former FBI counterintelligence operative Eric O’Neill reveals how cybercriminals exploit AI, deep fakes, and social engineering to infiltrate even the most secure organizations. With insights from his career tracking spies and securing critical infrastructure, he unpacks the evolving threats businesses face and the urgent need to rethink digital security. From real-world espionage cases to the vulnerabilities of global enterprises, he explores why prot...

Mar 13, 202520 minSeason 1Ep. 1134

Ep1133: Inna Tokarev Sela: Context is Enterprise AI's Missing Link

Inna Tokarev Sela has been at the forefront of data and AI, from her early days at SAP to leading innovation in enterprise analytics. She shares her journey of bridging the disconnect between technical and business teams, the challenges of AI adoption in enterprises, and how Elumex is transforming generative AI into a seamless tool for decision-making. With insights on AI governance, automation, and the future of application-free workflows, she paints a compelling vision of how businesses can ha...

Mar 11, 202525 minSeason 1Ep. 1133

Ep1132: Building Security at the Design Stage with Michael Nov

Michael Nov’s journey—from the Israeli military to enterprise software and entrepreneurship—shaped his approach to product security. He shares how AI can bridge the gap between engineering and security teams, ensuring security is embedded at the design stage rather than becoming a last-minute hurdle. Drawing from his experience at OwnBackup and now as co-founder of Prime Security, he discusses the challenges of scaling security in fast-moving enterprises, the evolving role of AI in risk manageme...

Mar 07, 202520 minSeason 1Ep. 1132

Ep1131: Get Off the X: Michele Rigby Assad on Moving Beyond Comfort Zones

In the chaos of Baghdad during her CIA tour, Michelle Rigby Assad discovered that working harder wasn't enough—working on the right things was crucial. Drawing from intelligence vetting techniques, she explains how questioning established processes and being intentionally curious can transform both personal growth and organizational success. Her book "Get Off the X" explores moving beyond comfort zones toward purposeful action, emphasizing that meaningful progress often comes from small, consist...

Mar 02, 202520 minSeason 1Ep. 1131

Ep1130: Yaniv Vardi: Securing Industrial Systems at Scale

Yaniv Vardi is a seasoned executive leader with over 20 years of experience in Enterprise Solutions. As former Global Managing Director of Centrica Business Solutions International and CEO of Panoramic Power (acquired by Centrica in 2015), he has driven significant international growth across multiple markets. A Magna Cum Laude graduate from NJIT and Israeli Air Force veteran, Vardi leverages his expertise in operational strategy as a board director for companies across Israel, Europe, and the U...

Feb 26, 202519 minSeason 1Ep. 1130

Ep1129: Yossi Synett: Bridging Data, AI, and Accessibility

From finance to AI-driven healthcare and accessibility, Yossi Synett’s journey is one of adaptability and impact. He shares lessons from optimizing financial data, shaping marketing algorithms, and using technology to improve lives. Exploring the intersection of data, real-world application, and human experience, this conversation uncovers the power of innovation in unexpected places.

Feb 25, 202538 minSeason 1Ep. 1129

Ep1128: Adam Hanft: Trust Evolution in the Digital Age

Misinformation has never been more powerful—or more dangerous. Adam Hanft, a branding expert and communication strategist, explores how deep fakes, AI-generated content, and evolving digital landscapes are reshaping our ability to trust what we see and hear. Drawing on psychology, history, and marketing insights, he unpacks the challenge of distinguishing reality from manipulation—and why the future of trust depends on both technological solutions and human adaptability.

Feb 19, 202557 minSeason 1Ep. 1128

Ep1127: Mastering RevOps: Insights from Scale Ops CEO Rosie Penhasi

Rosie Penhasi's unconventional journey into the world of scalable operations offers a unique perspective on the evolving landscape of RevOps. From navigating the lead-to-cash process to building a thriving consultancy, Rosie shares invaluable insights on the challenges and opportunities of driving user adoption and establishing robust infrastructure. Prepare to be captivated by her genuine storytelling and leave with a renewed appreciation for the complexities of scaling a successful organizatio...

Feb 04, 202522 min

Ep1126: Eyal Cohen: Illuminating the Future of Photonic Computing

Eyal Cohen is CEO and Co-founder of CogniFiber, pioneering photonic computing technology that combines optical communications with deep learning neural networks. With over 20 years of expertise in photonic computing, hardware design, and neuroscience, Cohen's journey spans from Naval officer to postdoctoral research at prestigious Israeli universities. Under his leadership, CogniFiber is developing processors 1000x faster than existing solutions, garnering recognition from industry giants like I...

Jan 25, 202517 minSeason 1Ep. 1126
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android