What happens when a robotics CEO ditches Agile and embraces long-term commitments? AJ Meyer shares how bold moves and clarity of vision drive real innovation. On this episode of Shift and Thrive, AJ Meyer, co-founder and CEO of Pickle Robot Company, pulls back the curtain on building a robotics company that’s tackling one of logistics’ biggest challenges: autonomously unloading trucks. From his MIT roots to raising a $50M Series B, AJ’s journey is one of rethinking not just the tech, but how a c...
Jul 23, 2025•52 min•Ep. 54
How can leaders evolve their management style, leverage AI, and navigate rapid market changes to build resilient, forward-thinking organizations in tech? In this episode of Shift & Thrive, Dimitri Sirota, Co-founder and CEO of BigID, shares insights from his journey as a data privacy leader, including how he guided his company through the uncertainties of COVID-19, transitioned to a remote-first culture, and embraced AI across operations and products. He reflects on shifting from autocratic ...
Jul 16, 2025•51 min•Ep. 53
What if the key to solving industrial carbon emissions lay in modular innovation, AI, and a mission sparked by a childhood shaped by disaster? In this episode, Natalie sits down with Aniruddha Sharma, CEO of Carbon Clean, to explore the transformative journey from student startup to global carbon capture leader. Aniruddha shares how a deep personal connection to environmental impact and a passion for innovation propelled Carbon Clean to the forefront of industrial decarbonization. From navigatin...
Jul 09, 2025•44 min•Ep. 52
How can leaders transform go-to-market strategies by aligning sales, marketing, and customer experience while fostering a people-first culture and driving sustainable growth? In this episode, Brad McGinity draws on his deep experience as a founder, board member, and revenue leader to explore what it takes to build resilient go-to-market strategies. He shares lessons from transforming sales motions, emphasizing the critical importance of foundational work, cultural alignment, and a sharp focus on...
Jul 02, 2025•56 min•Ep. 51
What does it take to lead a cybersecurity startup with empathy, clarity, and focus, while staying true to your vision and your customers' real needs? In this episode, Pete Martin, co-founder and CEO of Realm Security, shares his journey from leading at top cybersecurity firms to building a company focused on simplifying security data. He opens up about the importance of vulnerability in leadership, the ongoing challenge of achieving product-market fit, and why clear internal communication is ess...
Jun 25, 2025•53 min•Ep. 50
How can leaders adapt, grow, and lead with impact in a rapidly evolving marketing landscape while staying true to their values and vision? In this special “Flip the Mic” episode of S&T, Natalie celebrates one year of the podcast and kicks off season 2 by switching seats from host to guest. With colleague Cindy Hunter stepping in as guest host, Natalie reflects on her journey as a B2B marketing leader, the founding of Magnitude Consulting, and the leadership lessons that have shaped her along...
Jun 18, 2025•55 min•Ep. 49
What does it take to evolve from a startup into a global leader in a cutting-edge industry? In this re-air of Shift & Thrive, we’re bringing back a powerhouse conversation between Natalie and Matt McCrann, CEO of DroneShield. If you missed it the first time or need a second listen, you’ll hear Matt unpack how he’s guided his team through rapid growth, innovation, and the unique challenges of the counter-drone space. From aligning around a strong company vision to hiring with intention, this ...
Jun 11, 2025•51 min•Ep. 48
What happens when startups align sales, marketing, and customer success from day one, and what role should AI and leadership play in that equation? In the first episode of our Go-to-Market miniseries, Natalie Nathanson sits down with Scott Brown, partner and head of platform and GTM at Cervin Ventures, to explore how early-stage companies can transform their growth strategies. They dive into Scott’s shift from outbound to product-led inbound strategies, the often-overlooked power of customer suc...
Jun 04, 2025•53 min•Ep. 47
What if embracing empathy and intentionality could unlock your greatest business success? In this episode, Ricky Sun, founder and CEO of Tupa, joins Natalie Nathanson for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, mindset, and building a values-aligned company. From his shift to a more intentional way of living, fueled by meditation and spiritual practices, to navigating go-to-market strategy and leading remote teams, Ricky offers tactical insights and heartfelt reflections. He shares lessons fr...
May 28, 2025•43 min•Ep. 46
What does it take to lead innovation across industries while staying true to your values? In this episode, Natalie sits down with François Dossa, a global executive whose journey spans banking, automotive, and tech consulting, to explore the answer. From launching a corporate venture fund to promoting sustainability, François shares how technology, diversity, and authenticity have shaped his leadership. We talk about the women who influenced him, the importance of team dynamics in startups, and ...
May 21, 2025•48 min•Ep. 45
What does it take to turn cutting-edge robotics into practical tools for farmers? In this episode of Shift and Thrive, Natalie is joined by Katie Bradford, co-founder and CEO of Rotate8. She shares how her team is making farming tech more accessible, modular, and repairable. From her transition from engineer to leader to her vision for slow, sustainable growth, Katie offers insights on collaborative leadership, user-centered design, and the future of agricultural innovation. Takeaways : Before m...
May 14, 2025•37 min•Ep. 44
What does it take to scale a cybersecurity startup into a globally recognized company while maintaining trust and team culture? In this episode, Natalie sits down with Varun Iravatham, CEO of NopalCyber, to explore exactly that. From his transition from pro cricket to entrepreneurship, to building a thriving business with over 50 clients across three continents, Varun shares the pillars behind NopalCyber’s growth: sales strategy, product development, talent, and delivery. He also dives into lead...
May 07, 2025•37 min•Ep. 43
What does it take to shift from a consulting model to a tech-driven product in a traditionally risk-averse industry like food safety? In this episode of Shift and Thrive, Natalie Nathanson interviews Karim Khinouche, founder and CEO of Novolyze, about his journey from industrial engineer to food safety innovator. Karim shares how his company evolved from a consulting firm into a scalable tech platform, the misconceptions surrounding food safety, and why execution, not just ideas, drives success....
Apr 30, 2025•52 min•Ep. 42
What does it take to lead with confidence, navigate acquisitions, and build a high-performing team? In this episode, Natalie sits down with Craig Dunham, CEO of Voltron Data, to discuss his career journey, leadership philosophy, and the key lessons he’s learned along the way. Craig shares insights from his time as CEO of Lumar and GM at Guild Education, as well as his experience leading Seismic through the acquisition of Vivo Group. He breaks down the importance of communication, surrounding you...
Apr 23, 2025•48 min•Ep. 41
What does it take to scale a sales organization, navigate rapid growth, and lead with innovation? In this episode, Natalie interviews Ben Eisenberg, CEO of People Data Labs, about his journey from intern to CEO. They discuss his unique go-to-market strategies, leadership philosophy, and the power of customer feedback in product development. Ben shares insights on hiring, measuring success, and fostering a meritocratic culture while adapting to industry shifts. The conversation also explores how ...
Apr 16, 2025•45 min•Ep. 40
How can leaders drive innovation while staying true to their core mission, especially in times of rapid change? In this episode of Shift and Thrive, Natalie sits down with Sarah Lehman, CEO of Zartico, to discuss leadership, innovation, and the power of data-driven decision-making. Sarah shares her journey from leading technology companies to transforming Zartico’s approach during the COVID-19 pandemic, shifting from data aggregation to real-time insights for destination marketers. She dives int...
Apr 09, 2025•47 min•Ep. 39
What does it take to live a life of courage, risk, and purpose? In this episode, Natalie sits down with John Graham, adventurer, author, and activist, to explore the power of bold decisions, from negotiating high-stakes diplomacy to surviving a burning ship. John shares insights on leadership, integrity, and the transformative impact of storytelling, leaving listeners with a compelling call to embrace risk and meaning in their own lives. Takeaways : Vision should be more than just financial goal...
Apr 02, 2025•58 min•Ep. 38
What mindset shift does it take to go from being a founder to a truly effective CEO? In this episode of Shift and Thrive, Natalie sits down with Richard Walker, CEO of Quik!, to explore his evolution from launching his first business at 12 to leading a company focused on revolutionizing digital forms processing. We dive into the power of visionary servant leadership, the tough decisions that come with scaling a business, and how leveraging AI and automation can drive efficiency and growth. Tune ...
Mar 26, 2025•50 min•Ep. 37
Entrepreneur Debo Onifade, CEO of DelonApps and DelonJobs, shares how he pivoted his company from hardware to digital services, scaling to 200 employees in under four years. He discusses his coaching-based leadership style, niche market strategy, and the lessons he’s learned from rapid growth. He also reflects on the importance of adaptability, investing in young talent, and building strong partnerships for long-term success. Takeaways : Focus on hiring and nurturing young, enthusiastic individu...
Mar 19, 2025•35 min•Ep. 36
How can small businesses balance investing in marketing and technology while navigating economic downturns and staying ahead of industry trends? In this episode, Natalie interviews Nathan Whittacre, founder and CEO of Stimulus Technologies, about his journey from starting a business at 11 to leading a successful IT firm. He shares insights on organic growth through referrals, the importance of investing in marketing and sales, and adapting to technology shifts like AI. Nathan also discusses his ...
Mar 12, 2025•47 min•Ep. 35
How can AI-driven robotics transform logistics and supply chain operations while overcoming the challenges of real-world unpredictability? In this episode, Natalie sits down with Samir Menon, founder and CEO of Dexterity, to explore his journey as an entrepreneur and leader in the robotics industry. They discuss the evolution of "physical AI," how Dexterity is revolutionizing logistics with AI-driven robotics, and the challenges of leading a full-stack technology company. Samir shares insights o...
Mar 05, 2025•41 min•Ep. 34
On this episode of Shift and Thrive: CEO Insights on Driving Change, Natalie interviews Sriram Subramanian, co-founder, and CEO of Link to Any. They talk about his journey from senior roles at PayPal and HP to building a SaaS platform that streamlines integration for SMBs in the hospitality, retail, and service industries. Sriram shares insights on sales, product innovation, and leadership—emphasizing autonomy, cultural fit, and pushing for excellence. He also discusses fundraising, AI’s evolvin...
Feb 26, 2025•44 min•Ep. 33
How can IoT revolutionize industries, enhance safety, and drive innovation in a rapidly evolving tech landscape? In this episode of Shift and Thrive, Natalie sits down with Kelly Ireland, a trailblazing tech entrepreneur with 40 years of experience in IT. As the founder, CEO, and CTO of CBT, Kelly shares her journey from self-taught programmer to industry leader, highlighting her company’s strategic pivot to IoT over the past eight years. She dives into the transformative power of IoT across ind...
Feb 19, 2025•47 min•Ep. 32
What if the key to unlocking groundbreaking innovation wasn’t just about hiring the right talent or hosting occasional brainstorming sessions, but rather about fundamentally reshaping how organizations operate? In this episode of Shift and Thrive, Natalie sits down with Daniel Theobald, a visionary in robotics and a pioneer in fostering innovation within organizations. Daniel shares invaluable insights on how businesses can cultivate a culture of innovation, support employee well-being, and make...
Feb 12, 2025•52 min•Ep. 31
How can businesses leverage technology to simplify food donations while building strong partnerships with nonprofits to tackle food insecurity more effectively? In this episode of the Shift and Thrive podcast, Natalie interviews Kimberly Smith, CEO of Copia, a company revolutionizing food donation through technology. Kimberly shares how Copia automates surplus food redistribution, simplifying the donation process for businesses while supporting nonprofits. The conversation delves into leadership...
Feb 05, 2025•42 min•Ep. 30
How does the transition from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship shape an approach to innovation, leadership, and global impact? This week on Shift & Thrive: CEO Insights on Driving Change, we delve into the inspiring journey of Laurent Canneva, CEO and founder of Spare-It, a groundbreaking SaaS platform revolutionizing waste management. From his corporate leadership roles at Sanofi Genzyme to earning the 2024 Excellence Award as PropTech Solution of the Year, Laurent shares his bold tr...
Jan 29, 2025•41 min•Ep. 29
How can leaders navigate change, drive organizational alignment, and leverage emerging technologies like GenAI to stay customer-focused in today’s evolving tech landscape? In this episode of Shift & Thrive, Natalie sits down with Ronen Schwartz, CEO of K2View and a seasoned leader in cloud storage, data management, and technological innovation. From his transformative leadership at NetApp, where he grew the cloud storage division twelvefold, to his insights on leveraging GenAI for business t...
Jan 22, 2025•44 min•Ep. 28
In this episode of Shift & Thrive, host Natalie sits down with Matt Darrow, CEO and co-founder of Vivun, to explore his journey from consulting to leading innovations in AI sales engineering. Matt shares insights on transforming Vivun’s SaaS offerings into AI-native solutions, navigating organizational change, and maintaining leadership vision during times of transition. From his global upbringing to risk-taking hobbies, Matt offers a fascinating perspective on leadership, adaptability, and ...
Jan 15, 2025•49 min•Ep. 27
In this week’s episode of Shift and Thrive, Natalie sits down with Saket Saurabh, Co-Founder and CEO of Nexla. Saket, a seasoned entrepreneur and technologist, shares his journey from his early days at NVIDIA to leading a Gartner Cool Vendor company. They explore the massive impact of generative AI, how it reshaped businesses, and the importance of data integration. Saket offers deep insights into fostering an innovative culture, balancing innovation and scaling, and the role of patience in achi...
Jan 08, 2025•46 min•Ep. 26
Today, we are revisiting our conversation with Konstantin Vilk, Founder and CEO of UnPwnAble (formerly LinkTempo). Konstantin shares his journey from launching tech startups to pioneering innovations in cybersecurity and data management. He discusses the importance of customer insights, organizational alignment, and diverse perspectives in solving complex challenges. This episode dives into applying biological models to cybersecurity, enhancing AI integration, and the role of design thinking and...
Jan 02, 2025•49 min•Ep. 25
