The Conference Room with Simon Lader
by Simon Lader
Master the strategies you need to develop a high performing business. Hear from the most successful business leaders in conversation with Simon Lader, Co-Founder of global Executive Search firm Salisi Human Capital, and podcast consulting firm Viva Podcasts.Hear from business growth experts in sales, marketing, investment, hiring, HR, product design and much much more.I'm Simon Lader. Welcome to The Conference Room.
Episodes
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Ep. 193 -The Founding Father's Approach To Building Companies and High Performing Teams
In this episode, Simon sits down once again with Cleve Adams, a veteran technology executive, entrepreneur, and investor who has spent more than two decades building, scaling, turning around, and exiting high-growth technology companies, with a particular focus on cybersecurity, SaaS, and AI.…
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Ep-192. From the Frat House to a Global Franchise
In this episode, Simon sits down with Matt Friedman, entrepreneur, franchise executive, and co-founder of Wings Zone, to explore how a simple idea launched in a fraternity house kitchen grew into a successful restaurant franchise. Starting with just $500 in 1992, Matt and his business partner…
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Ep.191 -What To Do When Disaster Strikes!
In this episode, Simon sits down with Liz Wharton, a cybersecurity executive, attorney, and founder of Silver Key Strategies, whose career spans technology, public policy, law, and business leadership. Liz shares how she moved from business, finance, and real estate law into cybersecurity and...
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Ep.190 - How to Unboring Your Marketing
In this episode, Simon sits down with Sara Carty, Founder and CEO of Unboring, and Kelly Allen, Co-Founder and CMO of Unboring, a cybersecurity marketing agency focused on making sophisticated technology more distinctive, human, and memorable. Sara and Kelly share how they found their way into...
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Ep.189 -An Indepth Interview with a Founding Father of Cybersecurity
In this episode, Simon sits down with Cleve Adams, a veteran technology executive, entrepreneur, investor, and six-time CEO with decades of experience building, scaling, turning around, and exiting high-growth technology companies. Cleve shares the remarkable story of helping build Websense from…
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Ep.188 -The CEO Playbook: Start-Ups, Scale-Ups and Successful Exits
In this episode, Simon sits down with David Etue, CEO of Cyberbit, a cybersecurity executive with more than 20 years of experience building, scaling, and leading organizations across startups, high-growth businesses, and global enterprises. David shares lessons from his journey across different...
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Ep.187 -Team, Market or Problem? How to Turn an Idea into a Scaling Company
In this episode, Simon sits down with Kim van Lavieren, Co-Founder & CTO of Dawn Guard, and Martijn Hoffmans, Head of Go-to-Market at Dawn Guard, to explore what it really takes to build a cybersecurity startup from the ground up. Kim shares his journey from serving in the Dutch Marines and…
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Ep.186 -A Founder's Story: Building a Biotech Company From the Ground Up
In this episode, Simon sits down with Dr. Sherry Zhang, an entrepreneur, molecular geneticist, bestselling author, and pioneer in personalized nutrition. After arriving in the United States from China with just three bags and $3,000, Sherry went on to earn her PhD in molecular biology and build a...
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Ep.185 -The Fortune Hidden in the Follow Up
In this episode of The Conference Room, Simon Lader sits down with Aly Samaha, Founder of Samaha Consulting and the “King of Follow-Up.” Aly explains why most salespeople give up on opportunities far too early and how a structured, human approach to follow-up can turn missed opportunities into...
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Ep.184 -Can AI Build Trust?
In this episode of The Conference Room, Simon sits down with Chandra De Keyser, co-Founder of Voicera, an AI company focused on helping organizations understand not only what people say, but what they mean by combining large language models with emotional intelligence. With a career spanning...
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Ep.183 -Bringing Structure and Systems to Accidental CEOs
In this episode, Simon sits down with Val Coin, the Digital Transformation Fairy Godmother and a systems and technology strategist helping business leaders navigate growth and change. Val shares her journey from hospitality to technology and explains why true digital transformation starts with...
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Ep.182 -Building a Reputation Management Business In Full Flight
In this episode, Simon sits down once again with Shane Barker, tech entrepreneur, SaaS founder, digital marketing strategist, and CEO of TraceFuse, to explore what it really takes to transform a consulting business into a scalable software company. Building on their previous conversation, Shane...
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Ep.181 -Spinning Out and Starting Up: The Strike48 Story
In this episode, Simon sits down with Tom Pucciarella, Chief Business Officer at Devo and Chief Revenue Officer at Strike48, an AI-powered cybersecurity platform designed to help organizations unlock value from their existing technology investments through intelligent automation and…
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Ep.180 -Streamlined and Scaled Systems: Virtual Assistants Done Right
In this episode, Simon sits down with Molly Rose Speed, Founder of the Virtual Assistant Academy and an online operations expert who has spent more than 13 years helping entrepreneurs build efficient businesses through systems, delegation, and high-performing remote teams. Molly shares how…
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Ep.179 -The Business Opportunity Hidden Inside a Broken System
In this episode, Simon sits down with Kelly Resendez , President of Minerva, Strategic Advisor at GoodLeap, Founder of GoBundance Women, bestselling author, speaker, and host of the Power Up Your Life Podcast. Kelly shares her remarkable journey from becoming one of the top performers in the...
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Ep.178 -Humans: Your Strongest Asset or Weakest Link?
In this episode, Simon sits down with Karla Reffold, Chief Insights Officer at Surefire Cyber, where she transforms real-world cyber incident data into actionable business intelligence that helps organizations strengthen their cybersecurity posture. Drawing on her unique journey from founding one...
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Ep.177 -The AI Threats They Don't Want You To Know
In this episode, Simon sits down with Jeff Majka, Founder & CEO of Security Bulldog, an AI-driven cybersecurity intelligence platform designed to help organizations make faster, smarter security decisions. With more than 20 years of experience in cybersecurity marketing, enterprise technology…
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Ep.176 -The Psychology Behind Effective Pricing
In this episode, Simon sits down with Etinosa Agbonlahor, behavioral economist, CEO of Decision Alpha, and author of How to Talk to Your Parents About Money. Together, they explore why so many business owners struggle with pricing confidence, how behavioral economics influences customer…
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Ep.175 -Fixing The Partner Ecosystem: Building Trust in a Commission-Driven Industry
In this episode of The Conference Room, Simon welcomes Joshua Jones, Founder and CEO of Crush Security, for an eye-opening conversation about the hidden flaws within today's cybersecurity partner ecosystem. Drawing on more than 20 years of industry experience, Joshua explains why many CISOs...
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Ep.174 -Escape Your Prison: Why the Lies You Believe Are Limiting Your Business Growth
In this episode of The Conference Room, Simon welcomes Calvin Corelli, founder and CEO of Simpler, entrepreneur, software engineer, and creator of the Mind Bug framework. Calvin shares how his journey from programming and entrepreneurship evolved into a deeper exploration of mindset, identity…
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Ep.173 - What Fox and CBS Taught Me About Building, Blazing and Branding.
In this episode, Simon Lader sits down with Lori Asbury, a seasoned executive with over 25 years in brand strategy, operations, and consumer marketing. From shaping billion-dollar brands like HGTV, Fox, and CBS to leading her own agency through challenges like COVID, Lori shares actionable advice...
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Ep. 172 - From Ebay and Facebook to starting a Fashion-Tech Startup
In this inspiring episode, Anya Cheng shares her remarkable journey from a non-technical immigrant background to leading product and growth at giants like Facebook, eBay, Target, and McDonald's, and ultimately founding Taylor—an AI-driven menswear rental and styling service for busy…
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Ep. 171- How to Hire for Higher Results
In this episode of The Conference Room, host Simon is joined by serial entrepreneur Kasim Aslam. Kasim shares his inspiring journey from humble beginnings in Albuquerque to building multiple seven and eight-figure businesses, including the top-ranked Google ad agency Solutions 8, which he sold in...
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Ep. 170- Being a Football Agent, and Lessons in Mindset
In this insightful episode, Simon sits down with Luiz Rozo, a FIFA licensed football agent and director of Pro Elevate XIV, a global sports agency focused on elevating elite football talent from Latin America to international markets, especially the Middle East. Luis shares his personal journey...
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Ep. 169- The Best of The Second Half of 2025
Welcome to a special episode of The Conference Room, where we revisit some of the most insightful conversations from 2025. This episode features a dynamic panel of experts sharing their unique perspectives on business growth, innovation, marketing, and cybersecurity. Key Moments: Successful…
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Ep. 168 - The Best of 2025...So Far!
In this episode of The Conference Room, host Simon Leader welcomes a panel of distinguished guests from diverse business backgrounds to discuss critical topics affecting entrepreneurs and business leaders in 2025. The conversation covers the evolving nature of recruitment, startup growth...
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Ep. 167 - Getting Practical with AI
In this episode, Simon welcomes back Andre Lester, managing partner of MS3IT Business Solutions, to discuss the transformative power of AI in business development. With 18 years of experience in IT and cybersecurity, Andre shares insights on how AI can streamline operations, enhance customer...
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Ep. 166 - AI for Business Productivity
In this episode of the Conference Room podcast, host Simon welcomes Andre Lassiter, the managing partner of MS3IT Business Solutions. With over 18 years of experience in IT and cybersecurity, Andre shares his journey from cybersecurity expert to AI specialist. He discusses how AI can transform...
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Ep. 165 -From Burnout and Overwhelm to Efficiency and Productivity
In this episode, we welcome Lisa Zawrotny, a productivity coach with a rich background as a caregiver, mother, and business owner. Lisa shares her journey from caregiving to coaching, emphasizing the importance of compassionate and sustainable productivity systems, especially for those managing...
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Ep. 164 - How to Create a Winning Culture - and Why Your Business Needs It
In this episode of "The Conference Room," we welcome Tiffani Bibb, a leadership coach, speaker, and former Chief People and Culture Officer. With over 15 years of HR leadership experience, Tiffani specializes in helping mid-career women navigate significant life and career transitions. She shares...
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Ep. 163 - How AI Can Help - and Hurt - Your Content Marketing
In this episode of The Conference Room, host Simon Lader welcomes back the talented Evelina Kagan for the fourth part of their ongoing series. They dive deep into the transformative role of AI in digital marketing, discussing how it can enhance content creation, streamline processes, and…
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Ep. 162 - A Copywriting Masterclass - How to Create Sales Pages that Really Perform
In this episode of The Conference Room, Simon Lader welcomes back Evelina Kagan for part three of their insightful conversation on copywriting. Evelina, a high-conversion copywriter, shares her expertise on crafting compelling sales pages that convert visitors into customers. She discusses the...
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Ep. 161 - A Copywriting Masterclass - How to Create Ads that Really Perform
In this episode, Simon Lader continues his insightful conversation with Evelina Kagan, a high conversion copywriter. They delve into the nuances of crafting compelling ad copy that not only captures attention but also drives conversions. Evelina shares her expertise on the differences between ad...
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Ep. 160 - A Copywriting Masterclass - Email Marketing
In this episode of The Conference Room, host Simon Lader welcomes Evelina Kagan, a high conversion copywriter who specializes in helping entrepreneurs sell more digital products through strategic and engaging email content. Evelina shares her journey from a creative child to a successful...
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Ep. 159 - Two Recruiters Walk Into A Podcast...
In this episode of The Conference Room, Simon Lader sits down with Dan Rhodes, an accomplished executive in cybersecurity talent acquisition. With over two decades of experience in IT recruiting, Dan shares his journey from starting in customer service to leading executive search for high-growth...
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Ep. 158 - Leadership Mistakes That Are Killing Your Business
In this episode Simon welcomes Dan Tocchini, a seasoned business consultant with over 35 years of experience in transforming leadership teams. Dan shares his journey from a family of entrepreneurs to becoming a sought-after consultant for companies like ESPN and nonprofits like Homeboy…
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Ep. 157 Purposeful Podcasting to Promote: How guesting on Podcasts Can Scale Your Business
In this episode, Simon welcomes Christelle Biiga to discuss the benefits of podcast guesting and how it can serve as a powerful marketing tool for entrepreneurs. Christelle shares her journey from starting her own pitching business to becoming a sought-after expert in podcast placements. Key...
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Ep .156 - Both Sides of the Story: Life as a VC turned Startup Founder
In this episode of The Conference Room, Simon Lader welcomes Yichen Jin, co-founder of Fleak, a technology company transforming how enterprises manage complex data transformations. She shares her journey from studying industrial engineering at Stanford to co-founding Fleak after nearly a decade…
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Ep. 155 - Building a Global Sales Team from the Ground Up
In this episode of the Conference Room, host Simon Lader welcomes Patrick Guay, a seasoned sales and leadership expert with over 20 years of experience in the technology sector. Patrick shares his journey from leading sales at various Israeli startups, culminating in his current role as Chief...
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Ep. 154 - Learning on the Job - Confessions of a Serial Founder
In this week's episode of The Conference Room, host Simon Lader sits down with Jeremy Vaughan, an entrepreneur, investor, and CEO of Start Left Security. Jeremy shares his journey from graduating from the University of North Florida to becoming a successful entrepreneur. He discusses the…
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Ep. 153 - Speak Up and Scale Up!
In this week's episode of The Conference Room, host Simon Lader sits down with Kimberly Crowe, an international inspirational public speaker, TEDx speaker, and authority on "speak to sell." Kimberly is a best-selling author, serial entrepreneur, and the dynamic host of the weekly online show,...
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Ep. 152 -How Effective Marketing Can Scale Your Start-Up
In this week's episode of The Conference Room, host Simon Lader sits down with Gianna Whitver, CEO and co-founder of the Cybersecurity Marketing Society. Gianna Whitver shares her journey from working at IBM to founding a thriving community for cybersecurity marketers. She discusses the unique...
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Ep. 151 -The Life of a Chief Product Officer
In this week's episode of The Conference Room, host Simon Lader sits down with Uriel Cohen, VP of Product at cybersecurity vendor VMRay. Uriel shares his journey from the Israeli Air Force to becoming a leader in product management. He discusses the intricacies of product management, the…
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Ep. 150 -Scaling a Startup Inspired by Tom Cruise
In this week's episode of The Conference Room, host Simon Lader sits down with Luigi Lenguito, co-founder and CEO of Before.ai, a pioneering cybersecurity company specializing in predictive security solutions. Luigi shares his fascinating journey from being a Formula 3 racing driver to becoming a...
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Ep. 149 - Summer Special ! Looking back to one of the best advices in Sales, Marketing & Leadership from The Conference Room
Join your host Simon Lader Looking back to one of the best advices in Sales, Marketing & Leadership from The Conference Room Podcast Whitney Alexandra Discusses the steps to move from being Anonymously to a Business Leader (Ep.136) Rick Olesek Describes the key things he looks for to determine if...
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Ep. 148 - Garage Band or Symphony: How HR Can Help Your Company Culture
In this week's episode of The Conference Room, host Simon Lader sits down with Lisa Novak, founder of LMNHR, a fractional HR leadership and advisory firm. With over 20 years of experience in HR and operations, Lisa shares her journey from a military family background to becoming a key player in…
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Ep. 147 - Selling and Scaling through Storytellling
In this week's episode of The Conference Room, host Simon Lader sits down with Marc Holden, an expert in customer relationship management, direct sales, sales leadership, and market development. Marc shares his journey from being a commercial fisherman in Alaska to becoming the VP of Sales for...
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Ep. 146 - Sober in Cyber - Scaling a Mission Based Non Profit
In this week's episode of The Conference Room, host Simon Lader sits down with Jennifer VanAntwerp, founder of Sober in Cyber. With 20 years of experience in marketing and leadership, Jennifer VanAntwerp shares her journey from her accidental start in the automotive industry to creating a…
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Ep. 145 - Startup to Seed: The Story of an Early Stage Founder
In this week's episode of The Conference Room, host Simon Lader sits down with Daniel Shechter, Co-founder and CEO of Miggo Security, to share his journey from serving in the Israeli Defense Forces to becoming a cybersecurity entrepreneur. Daniel delves into his experiences in the IDF's...
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Ep. 144 - How Gamification Can Help Your Employees Protect Your Business
In this week's episode of The Conference Room, host Simon Lader sits down with Scott Wright, a global leader in security awareness and gamification. Scott Wright shares his journey from software development to cybersecurity, and how he pioneered innovative security awareness initiatives like the...
About this show
Master the strategies you need to develop a high performing business. Hear from the most successful business leaders in conversation with Simon Lader, Co-Founder of global Executive Search firm Salisi Human Capital, and podcast consulting firm Viva Podcasts.Hear from business growth experts in sales, marketing, investment, hiring, HR, product design and much much more.I'm Simon Lader. Welcome to The Conference Room.
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Simon Lader
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