Unlocking Momentum

AI doesn't fail because of bad technology. It fails because of bad change management.In this episode, Aaron Kopel sits down with Diana Williams, Director of Change Management at Project Brilliant, to explore why AI adoption is ultimately a people challenge. Drawing from her experience in state government and consulting across regulated industries, Diana shares how organizations often focus on building the technology, but struggle to get employees to actually use it. She explains that resistance is rarely about the tools themselves, but about fear, trust, and the impact on how people see their roles and value.Diana discusses how AI represents a broader cultural and behavioral shift, similar to past transformations like Agile and DevOps. Through examples like IBM’s Watson Health and UPS’s ORION system, she shows how success depends on involving people early, building trust, and continuously iterating. She emphasizes that the organizations that win with AI aren’t the ones with the best technology; they’re the ones that bring their people along.Key takeaways:AI adoption is a people and culture challenge, not just a technical oneInvolving employees early builds buy-in and reduces resistanceAI implementation should be iterative, not a one-time rolloutEpisode highlights(00:00) Intro(01:04) Lessons in change management in state government (04:11) Why networking is critical for growth and learning(07:04) Fear is the real adoption problem(11:37) Case Study: Why IBM Watson failed and UPS ORION succeeded(15:25) You can't automate your way out of bad data (20:59) People don't resist change, they resist being changed(25:54) Aligning teams and choosing the right use cases(27:37) The role of the CIO goes beyond IT(30:12) AI is a business initiative, not an IT project(34:28) AI success depends on adoption, not capability(35:49) Book recommendation: The Power of HabitDiana Williams on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-agilecoach/Aaron Kopel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronkopelExplore Project Brilliant: https://projectbrilliant.comBuy Unlocking Momentum: https://a.co/d/hKPFqoS 

Organizational momentum is no longer just about pushing harder or following a plan. It is a leadership, alignment, and focus challenge that impacts every level of the business.In this episode, Aaron Kopel sits down with Patrick Bogan, VP IT Strategy and Operational Excellence at CNO Financial Group, to explore the importance of alignment in driving organizational momentum. Patrick reflects on his extensive experience leading meaningful change, both as an independent consultant and now within a major financial company. He shares how momentum doesn't come from working harder or having the right plan, but from aligning teams around what truly matters most. Patrick emphasizes the need for focus, transparent decision-making, and leadership that aligns all departments toward common goals.Through his journey, Patrick discusses the critical role of self-awareness, trust-building, and aligning priorities across the enterprise. He reveals how aligning technology modernization efforts with business goals ultimately unlocked momentum at CNO Financial Group, and explains why focusing on what really matters is the key to overcoming resistance and driving success.Key takeaways:True momentum is unlocked through alignment, not effortLeadership is about influence and building trust, not authorityTransparent decision-making and prioritization are essential for success across the enterpriseEpisode highlights(00:00) Intro(00:32) Meet Patrick Bogan and his journey(02:47) Consulting lessons on trust and leadership(04:10) The importance of self-awareness in leadership(05:41) Achieving momentum through strategic alignment(06:39) Tech modernization and leadership tradeoffs(13:11) Debunking the lie: "We can do both"(15:19) Navigating the challenges of AI transformation(17:40) Leading for flow and organizational focus(21:50) Why direction must come from the top(23:26) Career advice: Assume good intent always(27:06) Rapid fire: Hiking and nature inspiration(28:41) Coffee chat: Leadership insights from Chamberlain(30:12) Legacy of kindness and leadership impactPatrick Bogan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickbogan/Explore CNO Financial Group: https://www.cnoinc.com/Aaron Kopel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronkopelExplore Project Brilliant: https://projectbrilliant.comBuy Unlocking Momentum: https://a.co/d/hKPFqoS 

Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue. It is a leadership, operations, and communication challenge that touches every part of the business.In this episode, Aaron Kopel sits down with Chetrice Romero, Senior Cybersecurity Advisor at Ice Miller LLP, to unpack what organizations still get wrong about cyber readiness. Chetrice shares her unconventional path from public relations and crisis communications into cybersecurity leadership, including her work shaping Indiana’s statewide cyber strategy and advising organizations through high-stress incidents. She explains why the biggest cyber risks today are often people problems, why geopolitics now matter to business leaders far beyond government, and why incident response planning has to extend well beyond the IT department.Chetrice also breaks down what effective tabletop exercises actually look like and why leaders need to understand their role before a real incident hits. This conversation is a practical look at how momentum in cybersecurity comes from preparation, shared responsibility, and the ability to respond calmly when the pressure is highest.Key takeaways:Cybersecurity is a people and business problem, not just a technical oneTabletop exercises reveal leadership gaps before a real incident doesVendor risk, geopolitics, and poor preparation can quickly become operational crisesEpisode highlights(00:00) Intro(01:04) From PR into cyber leadership(02:51) Building Indiana’s cyber strategy(14:06) Geopolitics and destructive attacks(17:38) What tabletop planning should cover(24:21) When vendor breaches hit operations(25:46) PR, panic, and crisis pressure(28:16) What cyber insurance really covers(29:48) How to run useful tabletops(35:53) Rapid fire questions and reflectionsChetrice Romero on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/romeroclm Aaron Kopel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronkopelExplore Ice Miller LLP: https://www.icemiller.com/ Explore Project Brilliant: https://projectbrilliant.comThe Science of Scaling by Benjamin Hardy: https://a.co/d/76xHeGD Buy Unlocking Momentum: https://a.co/d/hKPFqoS 

The best leaders don’t focus on doing more. They create environments where innovation thrives.In this episode, Aaron Kopel, CEO of Project Brilliant, shares insights from a recent trip to Cuba and how the systemic challenges observed there can relate to organizational leadership. Drawing from his personal experiences in Cuba, Aaron explores how entrepreneurs and leaders are navigating a complex environment where top-down systems and governmental restrictions often hinder innovation. He delves into how leaders can unlock momentum within their organizations by addressing systemic barriers, such as rigid structures, policies, and metrics, that prevent long-term success.Aaron shares lessons from entrepreneurs who are working within these constraints, showing how resilience and resourcefulness can drive meaningful change, even in the face of adversity. He reflects on the importance of leaders designing environments that allow for innovation, rather than focusing solely on immediate goals. The conversation touches on the role of systemic change in fostering organizational growth and the key skills that leaders need to create lasting impact.Key takeaways:Addressing systemic issues is key to unlocking momentumLeaders must create environments that enable innovationSustainable growth comes from designing systems, not just executing tasksEpisode highlights(00:00) Intro(01:01) Why travel shapes leadership perspective(02:04) Cuba trip context: entrepreneurs' journey(03:24) First impressions: Havana’s challenges unfold(06:25) Entrepreneurship's struggle under communist control(10:58) Taxes, incentives, and the side hustle(14:20) Farm success followed by government throttling(18:21) Leadership agility through Castro’s lens(21:42) Hope for Cuba: capital, tech, progress(24:47) CIO lessons in unlocking organizational momentumAaron Kopel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronkopelExplore Central Indiana Corporate Partnership: https://www.cicpindiana.com/ Explore Project Brilliant: https://projectbrilliant.comBuy Unlocking Momentum: https://a.co/d/hKPFqoS 

Great leadership isn't about pushing harder. It's about building trust and solving problems as a team.In this episode, Aaron Kopel sits down with Jason "JD" Duigou, an experienced CIO, leadership mentor, and the founder and principal consultant of Truefire Partners, LLC. JD shares insights from his career journey, including his time as a CIO, and offers valuable lessons on the importance of trust and relationships in driving business success.JD reveals a crucial lesson: leadership isn’t about pushing harder. The truth is, it’s about being invited in earlier and shaping problems with the business, rather than rushing to solutions. He reflects on his realization that technology alone doesn’t earn influence; it’s the human connections and trust that make initiatives successful. JD and Aaron discuss how IT leaders can break free from “order taker” roles, become true business partners, and create a culture of collaboration across organizations.Key takeaways:Leadership success comes from building trust and relationships, not just executing solutionsShaping problems collaboratively leads to stronger business outcomesIT leaders must shift from tech execution to strategic partnership with business unitsEpisode highlights(00:00) Intro(01:20) Beginnings from first-gen college to work (02:45) Why mentorship will always matter(05:04) How JD became a CIO by using trust(08:21) On choosing guardrails and leadership over hype(12:45) The CIO’s hidden operating system(19:39) Networking, book club, and how to connect with JD(22:08) Rapid-fire questionsJason “JD’ Duigou on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonduigou/Check out Jason’s CIO Field Notes: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/cio-field-notes-episode-1-role-has-changed-have-we-jason-jd--8qfpc/Check out Well Said! by Darlene Price: https://www.amazon.com/Well-Said-Presentations-Conversations-Results/dp/0814417876Aaron Kopel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronkopelExplore Truefire Partners, LLC: https://truefirepartners.com/Explore Project Brilliant: https://projectbrilliant.comBuy Unlocking Momentum: https://a.co/d/hKPFqoS 

The best leaders don’t move faster. They design better systems.In this episode, Aaron Kopel sits down with Ting Gootee, Executive Vice President of Digital Adoption & Managing Director of Crossroads Health Ventures at the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP). Ting shares lessons from her journey immigrating to the U.S., building Elevate Ventures, leading TechPoint as CEO, and now driving digital adoption across Indiana’s innovation ecosystem.Ting reveals a hard-earned realization that leadership isn’t about doing more, it’s about creating clarity. She reflects on the 18-month stretch where she learned that constant motion can actually weaken ownership, and how restraint and system design unlocked stronger accountability and resilience. Ting and Aaron explore the future of middle management in an AI-driven world, explaining why judgment, ownership, and ambiguity tolerance are becoming the most valuable skills in modern organizations.Key takeaways:Sustainable impact comes from system design, not individual heroicsClarity creates ownership faster than constant executionAI is flattening coordination roles, elevating judgment and accountabilityEpisode highlights(00:00) Intro(01:29) Leading digital adoption and venture capital at CICP(03:26) Ting’s advice to her younger self on ownership(04:36) When doing less unlocked more leadership impact(09:00) The future of middle management in an AI-driven world(15:22) How to craft systems for impact(18:43) Rapid fire: passion, influence, and legacyTing Gootee on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tinggootee Aaron Kopel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronkopelExplore Central Indiana Corporate Partnership: https://www.cicpindiana.com/ Explore Project Brilliant: https://projectbrilliant.comBuy Unlocking Momentum: https://a.co/d/hKPFqoS 

The best leaders don’t just solve problems; they fix the system.In this episode, Aaron Kopel sits down with Earl Shaw, CIO at Renaissance Benefits & Health Insurance, to talk about what it really takes to rebuild trust and performance within an organization under pressure. Earl discusses how his love for strategy and puzzles shaped his leadership style, and how embracing unfamiliar opportunities made him a more well-rounded enterprise leader.Earl also shares his take on what stays the same and what changes in an AI-driven world. He highlights why communication and change management are key, as tools like Microsoft Copilot reshape work, and why top technologists need more than just technical skills. In this conversation, Earl shows that momentum ultimately comes from clarity, curiosity, and the discipline to fix the system.Key takeaways:Great leaders solve challenges like puzzles with critical thinking and strategyCommunication builds trust faster than speed aloneLiberal arts, like critical thinking, storytelling, and communication, are just as essential for shaping well-rounded IT leadersEpisode highlights(00:00) Intro(01:04) Key moments that shape leadership(05:25) How listening and innovation turned IT services around(13:11) Why liberal arts matter for technologists in the AI age(17:47) The power of storytelling in technology(20:04) How AI is accelerating business growth and innovation(23:51) Why knowing every aspect of the organization powers technology success(25:52) Rapid-fire questions(32:31) Why curiosity and adaptability matter in tech leadershipEarl Shaw on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/earl-shaw/ Aaron Kopel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronkopelExplore Renaissance Benefits & Health Insurance: https://renaissancebenefits.com/ Explore Project Brilliant: https://projectbrilliant.comThe Science of Scaling by Benjamin Hardy: https://a.co/d/76xHeGD Buy Unlocking Momentum: https://a.co/d/hKPFqoS 

What happens when a technologist chooses public service and discovers leadership is less about systems and more about people?In this episode, Aaron Kopel sits down with Collin Hill, CIO of Indianapolis and Marion County, to explore how service industry experience, local government work, and calm leadership under pressure shape stronger technology leaders. Collin shares his unexpected path into public service and why running technology for his hometown has become the most challenging and rewarding role of his career.The conversation explores a pivotal moment early in Collin’s CIO journey, when a cybersecurity initiative triggered backlash across the organization and forced a defining leadership choice. Rather than retreating, he leaned in, making a decision that reshaped how security and shared responsibility showed up across the city. He also shares why service industry experience builds the empathy and steadiness needed to lead tech teams under pressure.Key takeawaysService industry experience builds empathy and stronger leadership skillsLocal government offers unmatched responsibility and community impactEffective CIOs lead with calm communication and a people first mindsetEpisode highlights(00:00) Intro(01:50) When playing it safe stops working(04:39) Why everyone should spend time in local government(10:45) How working in the service industry makes the best talents(15:42) Culture is set in the most uncomfortable moments(19:48) When you have to stand on what you believe(21:03) Running technology for your own hometown(23:07) Rapid fire questions(27:45) Leaving the world better than when you found itResourcesCollin Hill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/collin-hill-b178483/Aaron Kopel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronkopelExplore the Information Services Agency of the City of Indianapolis and Marion County: https://www.indy.gov/agency/information-services-agencyExplore Project Brilliant: https://projectbrilliant.comExplore the Indiana CIO Network: https://techpoint.org/indiana-cio-network/Buy Unlocking Momentum: https://a.co/d/hKPFqoS 

Why should CIOs step away from being the "technical fixer" to lead effectively?In this episode, Aaron Kopel sits down with Jeff Ton, former CIO of Ton Enterprises, LLC, and a seasoned leader in IT and leadership development. Jeff shares his journey from COBOL punch cards to guiding leaders on transformative expeditions inspired by the Lewis and Clark trail. He explains why leadership is about more than just technical skills and how understanding core values can shape a team’s vision.Leadership comes with both challenges and rewards, and Jeff explores what it really takes to guide a team. He shares how experiences, even a nature expedition, can offer fresh perspectives and reshape the way leaders see their role.Key takeawaysLeadership is about enabling others, not just controlling outcomesStrong communication builds trust and drives alignment within teamsCIOs who focus on people and vision, not just the tech, make the biggest impactEpisode highlights(00:00) Intro(01:10) How prioritizing the right projects transforms IT momentum(06:45) AI as a tool for transformation, not a one-size-fits-all solution(13:44) On leadership, writing, and walking the Lewis and Clark Trail(19:11) How to navigate leadership with a balanced perspective(24:09) Lessons on tech and music(27:56) Rapid-fire questionsResourcesJeff Ton on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtonindy/Aaron Kopel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronkopelExplore Ton Enterprises, LLC: https://jeffreyston.com/Explore Project Brilliant: https://projectbrilliant.comExplore the Indiana CIO Network: https://techpoint.org/indiana-cio-network/Buy Unlocking Momentum: https://a.co/d/hKPFqoS 

Momentum is built in the uncertain moments, when leaders are stretched, cultures shift, and teams look for someone steady to move them forward.In this episode, Aaron Kopel sits down with Warren Lenard, CIO of the Indiana Office of Technology, whose path has taken him through some of the toughest environments a CIO can face. From guiding a retail organization through COVID to stepping into statewide leadership with no public-sector background, Warren has led in seasons that reveal what leadership truly means.Key takeawaysLeadership evolves when leaders shift from controlling outcomes to enabling peopleCulture is strengthened or weakened by how leaders communicateCIOs earn their influence by partnering across the business, not protecting the techEpisode highlights(00:00) Intro(01:33) How COVID challenges were tackled at Byrider(13:25) Warren’s career journey and experiences(21:55) Finding leadership growth and communication in IT(27:56) Why in-person interaction shapes culture, teamwork, and silos(38:32) How the CIO role continues to evolve(43:18) The importance of AI literacy in the future of work(46:07) What fitness and creativity teach(48:08) Advice he’d give his younger self(49:16) Connecting and networking with purposeResourcesWarren Lenard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/warrenlenardAaron Kopel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronkopelExplore the Indiana Office of Technology: https://www.in.gov/iot/ Explore Project Brilliant: https://projectbrilliant.comExplore the Indiana CIO Network: https://techpoint.org/indiana-cio-networkReset by Dan Heath: https://www.danheath.com Books by Malcolm Gladwell: https://www.gladwellbooks.comBooks by Patrick Lencioni: https://www.tablegroup.com/books/?srsltid=AfmBOoo9gyp35SwrlEnRT9TEWq4bGBO5_SJ4oosSe7F3TR0lKMqyTFv7 Buy Unlocking Momentum: https://a.co/d/hKPFqoS 

Transformation takes shape in the chaos of everyday work. It's in tough choices and moments when nothing feels certain, and leaders stand at the center of it all, steadying their teams and helping them move with purpose.In this episode, Aaron Kopel chats with Republic Airways CIO Matt Belanger, who’s right in the middle of one of the most intense seasons a CIO can walk into. New headquarters are coming online, flight operations systems are being rebuilt, a major acquisition is closing, and two cultures are preparing to come together. It’s the kind of environment where leadership either shows up or doesn’t.Matt talks openly about what it takes to prioritize when everything is important, how he stays present for his people when the pace spikes, and why CIOs have to step beyond being the “details person” and start leading like enterprise partners. His path towards aviation gives him a perspective you rarely hear, and it’s one every evolving CIO will recognize.Key takeaways:Momentum requires leaders to let go of old habitsCulture is the real engine of transformationOperational excellence earns you permission to transformEpisode highlights:(00:00) Intro(01:40) How Matt  unlearned being “just the engineer”(03:55) Why Republic’s transformation demanded a new leadership lens(05:22) Managing extreme organizational load without losing culture(06:48) The power of self-organized culture teams during heavy change(07:55) How CIOs decide what deserves their time when everything is urgent(09:10) What needs to stop in order to grow(11:58) Why apprenticeships are a strategic advantage in tech(13:40) The journey to modernizing aviation’s next frontier(15:05) Why CIO credibility starts with operational reliability(16:22) Building trust across the business through curiosity, not control(20:40) Inside the Indiana CIO Network and why CIOs shouldn’t lead aloneResources:Matt Belanger on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattbelanger/ Aaron Kopel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronkopel Explore Project Brilliant: https://projectbrilliant.com/ Explore the Indiana CIO Network: https://techpoint.org/indiana-cio-network/ Buy Unlocking Momentum: https://a.co/d/hKPFqoS 

Transformation doesn’t come from theory. It comes from motion. From momentum. And from leaders willing to do things differently.Unlocking Momentum is for the evolving CIOs, strategic leaders who aren’t satisfied just managing systems, but driving growth, enabling innovation, and building the future of their organizations.Hosted by Aaron Kopel, founder of Project Brilliant and creator of the Momentum Locksmith framework, this show is where forward-thinking leaders come to grow.