In this episode, Rebecca Hastings sits down with John Rossman — former Amazon executive, Managing Partner at Rossman Partners, and author of Big Bet Leadership and The Amazon Way series. They unpack what it really takes to drive transformation in high-stakes, high-ambiguity environments. John draws from his time launching and scaling the Amazon Marketplace and his advisory work with Fortune 500 leaders to explain how bold ambition, when paired with strategic discipline, is the winning formula fo...
May 29, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Season 2Ep. 51
In this episode of The Lucent Perspective , Rebecca Hastings is joined by Varun Nair , Co-Founder and CTO at That Works —an AI-powered workspace tackling the chaos of modern work by eliminating noise from meetings, messages, and manual status updates. With over 15 years of experience spanning startup exits, team-building at Meta, and investing in AI-first ventures, Varun shares how to move faster, build smarter, and avoid the common traps in early-stage product development. They dive into what m...
May 15, 2025•53 min
In this episode of The Lucent Perspective, Rebecca Hastings is joined by Andrei Opirsan , Head of Engineering at Agent AI—a platform redefining no-code AI. With over 15 years’ experience leading technical innovation at startups and tech giants like Wayfair and HubSpot, Andrei shares the engineering, architectural, and leadership choices that powered Agent AI’s explosive growth to 1.4 million users in under a year. They discuss how Agent AI empowers non-technical users to build intelligent agents...
May 01, 2025•53 min•Season 2Ep. 49
In this episode of The Lucent Perspective , Rebecca Hastings speaks with Lucas Lovell , VP of Product at Paddle . Lucas shares the behind-the-scenes story of how Paddle scaled from a growing fintech to a global leader in payments infrastructure—including navigating a major acquisition, evolving pricing models, and hiring talent for scale. Lucas offers insights into how AI is reshaping SaaS pricing strategies, what makes global expansion successful, and why product-led companies must strike a bal...
Mar 31, 2025•49 min•Season 2Ep. 48
In this episode of The Lucent Perspective , Rebecca Hastings speaks with Oliver King Smith, founder of SmartR.AI. His company specializes in transforming raw data into behavioral intelligence, with expertise spanning AI-powered decision-making, machine learning, and embedded systems. Oliver shares insights on how businesses can navigate AI investments, avoid common pitfalls, and measure ROI effectively. He also discusses how AI models are evolving in 2025 and what leaders should focus on when im...
Mar 20, 2025•59 min•Season 2Ep. 47
In this episode of The Lucent Perspective , Rebecca Hastings speaks with Vladimir Baranov , an exited founder, CTO, and executive coach. With experience spanning fintech, wealth tech, aerospace, and AI-driven space technologies, he has co-founded and scaled multiple companies, including AdvisorEngine, later acquired by Franklin Templeton. Now, through Human Interfaces , he helps founders and executives improve leadership skills to run businesses effectively. Vladimir shares why technologists str...
Feb 27, 2025•41 min•Season 2Ep. 46
In this bonus episode of The Lucent Perspective , Rebecca Hastings speaks with Leisa Docherty , an experienced Chief People Officer , Executive Coach , and HR transformation expert . Leisa has led HR strategies, business acquisitions, and cultural transformations at companies like Sage, Aspire Technology Solutions, and Causeway Technologies . She shares insights on navigating organizational change, AI integration, and leadership alignment . Key Topics Covered Structuring successful company integ...
Feb 21, 2025•20 min•Season 2Ep. 45
In this episode of The Lucent Perspective , Rebecca Hastings speaks with Gary Crawford , an AI strategy expert and Founder of Owendale Advisory , a consultancy helping businesses adapt to the intelligence era. With rapid AI advancements, including agentic AI , businesses face new challenges and opportunities. Gary shares insights on AI-driven organizations, leadership evolution, and talent strategies in a changing landscape. He explores AI’s impact on hiring, business transformation, and strateg...
Feb 06, 2025•52 min•Season 2Ep. 44
In this episode of The Lucent Perspective , Rebecca Hastings speaks with Sam Mallikarjunan , General Manager at Agent.ai . Sam shares insights into how AI agents are revolutionizing work, streamlining decision-making, and enhancing productivity. Drawing from his experience as CEO at OneScreen AI, Chief Revenue Officer at Flock, and Head of Growth at HubSpot Labs, Sam explores the practical applications of AI agents and how businesses can leverage them effectively. Key Topics Covered Why AI agent...
Jan 30, 2025•48 min•Season 2Ep. 43
In this episode of The Lucent Perspective , Rebecca Hastings speaks with Lucas Hendrich, Chief Technology Officer at Forte Group. Lucas brings his expertise in AI-enabled data architecture, governance, and the intersection of technology and business strategy. The discussion explores actionable steps for scaling AI projects, overcoming data challenges, and the transformative potential of extended intelligence in organizations. Key Topics Covered Transitioning AI projects from pilot to full-scale ...
Dec 12, 2024•53 min•Season 2Ep. 42
In this episode of The Lucent Perspective , we’re joined by Mark Herschberg, a technology leader, author, and MIT instructor. With over 20 years of experience in AI, cybersecurity, and innovation, Mark shares strategies for building essential leadership skills. As creator of the Brain Bump app and a fractional CTO, he explores integrating AI, fostering adaptability, and building resilient tech teams. From AI integration challenges to the human side of hiring, this episode offers insights for fut...
Dec 02, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 2Ep. 41
In this episode of The Lucent Perspective , we’re joined by Ron Green, co-founder and CTO of KUNGFU.AI. With over 20 years of experience in AI and a career dedicated to practical applications of machine learning, Ron shares his perspective on what it takes to build and lead high-performing AI teams. From hiring production-grade AI engineers to the importance of ongoing skill development, Ron provides a comprehensive guide for companies looking to harness AI effectively. Known for his work in cre...
Nov 14, 2024•50 min•Season 2Ep. 40
In this episode of The Lucent Perspective , we are joined by Olga Topchaya, the founder and CEO of Lapis AI Consults. Olga shares her expertise in aligning artificial intelligence with strategic business goals, drawing from over a decade in marketing and product development. As a seasoned professional in AI integration, Olga provides practical advice on assessing company readiness for AI, strategies for successful AI implementation, and the importance of custom solutions versus off-the-shelf AI ...
Oct 31, 2024•45 min•Season 2Ep. 39
David Meikle, founder of Bloxweaver and a veteran in language technology, shares his insights on AI-driven content management and multilingual strategies. With extensive experience in open-source software and as a former CTO, David offers valuable perspectives on content management, AI customization, and preparing companies for exits. Key topics covered: Challenges in multilingual content management AI applications in language technology The concept of "content fabric" for global businesses Cust...
Oct 17, 2024•44 min•Season 2Ep. 38
Jamie Graves, a technology leader and entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience, shares his journey from founding ZoneFox to his current role as an advisor and consultant in the tech industry. With a strong background in cybersecurity and AI, Jamie offers valuable insights on product management, leadership, and the evolving landscape of technology. Key topics covered: The evolution of AI in B2B environments Product management challenges and best practices Lessons learned from founding and se...
Oct 03, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Season 2Ep. 37
Gavin Cowie, an experienced VP of Engineering and CTO, shares his insights on successfully onboarding senior tech leaders, scaling engineering teams, and navigating cultural differences between US and UK tech scenes. With extensive experience in AI, data science, and cybersecurity companies, Gavin offers valuable perspectives for tech leaders facing the challenges of rapid growth and changing work environments. Key topics covered: Comprehensive onboarding strategies for senior tech leaders Evolu...
Sep 19, 2024•51 min•Season 2Ep. 36
Keith McFarlane, CTO of Globality, shares his expertise on leveraging AI in procurement, scaling AI-driven platforms, and maintaining strong company culture in a hybrid work environment. With extensive experience in building and operating the world's first AI-driven autonomous sourcing platform, Keith offers valuable insights for tech leaders navigating the rapidly evolving AI landscape. Key topics covered: - The evolution of AI in procurement and its impact on efficiency - Technical challenges ...
Aug 22, 2024•48 min•Season 2Ep. 35
Daniel Codd, seasoned sales leader, shares insights on AI innovations in sales, strategies for expanding into new markets, maximizing growth from existing customers, and building effective sales teams. With extensive experience in AI and SaaS sales, Daniel offers valuable advice for founders and sales leaders navigating the rapidly evolving tech landscape. Key topics covered: Promising AI innovations in sales and marketing Strategies for expanding into new markets (UK vs. US) Maximizing growth f...
Aug 15, 2024•1 hr•Season 2Ep. 36
Jothy Rosenberg, a serial entrepreneur with nine startups and multiple successful exits, shares his valuable insights on startup leadership, fundraising, and building resilient teams. With over 35 years of experience in the tech industry, Jothy offers extensive knowledge for aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business leaders. Key topics covered: - Critical factors for building and scaling a successful startup - Strategies for effective fundraising at different startup stages - The role of resi...
Jul 11, 2024•52 min•Season 2Ep. 34
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming businesses across industries, but successfully implementing AI requires careful planning and execution. In this episode, I'm joined by Oliver King-Smith, Founder of smartR.ai and a trailblazing inventor and entrepreneur revolutionizing AI applications. With over 25 years of experience developing cutting-edge tech to address real-world challenges, Oliver shares his expert insights on how companies can effectively adopt AI. You will hear key insights...
Jul 01, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Season 2Ep. 33
AI is transforming the way companies innovate and serve customers. But deploying AI effectively requires careful planning and a product mindset. In this episode, Angus Allan, of xDesign and former startup founder, shares his playbook for leveraging AI to create competitive advantages. You will hear key insights on: - Finding the pragmatic middle ground amidst AI hype cycles - Determining if your company is a net consumer or producer of AI innovation - Applying product thinking to solve real cust...
Jun 07, 2024•39 min•Season 2Ep. 32
Hiring, training, and motivating winning sales teams is critical for startup success but can be daunting for founders. In this episode, I am delighted to be joined by Lee Anderson, Director of Sales Scotland and Ireland at Microlise. With over 18 years of experience driving growth across diverse sectors and scaling the sales team from 5 to 35 employees as the co-founder and Head of Sales & Partnerships at startup Coastr, Lee shares his proven playbook for building revenue machines. You will ...
May 02, 2024•46 min•Season 1Ep. 31
In this episode, we have an engaging conversation with Peter Proud, the CEO and founder of Forrit, an AI-driven Azure-native CMS. Peter shares his insights on lessons learned from his career at Microsoft, founding a startup, cultivating a positive company culture, and the power of apprenticeships. Episode Highlights: [1:26] - Most useful experiences from working at Microsoft before founding Forrit [3:24] - Key lessons taken from Microsoft beyond treating staff well [5:58] - How Peter's time at M...
Apr 04, 2024•58 min•Season 1Ep. 30
In this episode, host Rebecca Hastings has an engaging conversation with Aly Madhavji, the managing partner at Blockchain Founders Fund based in Singapore. Aly shares his insights on what investors look for in founders, pitches, teams, and ongoing relationships. He also provides invaluable advice on making follow-on rounds easier and offers top tips and predictions around the web3 space. Episode Highlights: [2:37] - How Aly's background shaped his worldview and drew him to blockchain technology ...
Mar 21, 2024•44 min•Season 1Ep. 29
In this episode, host Rebecca Hastings has an enlightening discussion with Andrew Bartlow, a former CHRO and now advisor who helps tech startups develop their people functions. Andrew shares his wisdom on leading startups through predictable growing pains, optimizing talent and culture for growth, communicating vision effectively, progressing one's career, and founders letting go of control. Episode Highlights: [0:58] - The current funding environment for startups and the focus on revenue [2:23]...
Feb 29, 2024•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 28
In this bonus episode of the Lucent Perspective, we are sharing a recent LinkedIn Live Webinar, joined by Andrew Bardsley, Founder of JackHR. Andrew Bardsley and Rebecca Hastings discuss how to build retention into hiring and how to empower managers so they can retain top talent. We cover issues such as how Gen Z are approaching things differently, how managers can spot burnout and how you can have the right conversations to keep your team engaged and productive. We address the challenges manage...
Feb 15, 2024•47 min•Season 1Ep. 27
In this episode, host Rebecca Hastings has an enlightening discussion with serial entrepreneur and business advisor Russell Dalgleish. Russell shares his wisdom on entrepreneurship, networking, international business, purpose-driven leadership, and more. Episode Highlights: [0:41] - The mindset required for startup success [1:42] - Staying focused on your purpose and mission [3:41] - Clarifying your mission from the start [10:22] - Using LinkedIn to reach potential customers [16:09] - Leveraging...
Feb 08, 2024•41 min•Season 1Ep. 26
In this episode, host Rebecca Hastings conducts an insightful interview with returning guest Gary Crawford, Chief Innovation Officer at Waracle. They dive deeper into a timely issue: how the rise of AI is transforming software development teams and processes. Gary, who previously joined us in Episode 5 on how enterprise companies can leverage AI, provides an insider's view on the latest developments. As an experienced technology leader helping companies scale, he offers a unique perspective on w...
Jan 25, 2024•50 min•Season 1Ep. 25
In this episode of The Lucent Perspective, host Rebecca Hastings interviews John Cushing, an award-winning founder and CEO with extensive experience in building and scaling data-driven digital companies. John shares his insights on understanding the context of company performance, the importance of diversity and inclusion, and his passion for supporting female entrepreneurship. With a track record of successful exits and a commitment to advocacy, John offers valuable perspectives on leadership a...
Jan 11, 2024•50 min•Season 1Ep. 24
In this episode of The Lucent Perspective, I was joined by Kate McMillan, the head of service technology at Fortinet. Kate shares her experiences in building a community platform for Fortinet users and the impact it has had on their business. With different support options scattered across various platforms, Kate explains how the need for a centralized hub became apparent. As Fortinet grew through acquisitions, the company required a more scalable solution to meet the evolving demands of their c...
Dec 28, 2023•34 min•Season 1Ep. 23
