The Shift Code

In this episode of The Shift Code Podcast, host Pierre Le Manh is joined by Alexander Budzier, Fellow in Management Practice at the University of Oxford's Saïd Business School, to share insights on what project success actually means and why traditional metrics fail to capture it.What You’ll Learn:What truly separates successful projects from slow-motion failuresWhy the best leaders focus on building systems rather than giving firebrand speechesHow projects can succeed spectacularly on one dimension while failing on anotherThe “uniqueness trap” as the single biggest red flag for cost blowoutsWhy investing 20–30% of the total cost in planning dramatically improves outcomesHow AI is already boosting individual productivity by 40%, but only 5% at the corporate levelAlexander Budzier is a Fellow in Management Practice at the University of Oxford's Saïd Business School, where he researches and teaches how to set major projects up for success. His dataset of more than 22,000 capital investment projects across 126 countries is the empirical foundation for two books published by Wiley in 2025: How to Measure Anything in Project Management, co-authored with Douglas Hubbard and Andreas Leed, an Amazon number-one bestseller in software and IT project management; and Intelligent Change: The Science Behind Digital Transformations, which draws on Oxford research to establish what actually drives success in digital programs.His research has appeared in the Harvard Business Review, where his article on uniqueness bias, co-authored with Bent Flyvbjerg, was selected for HBR's 10 Must Reads 2026, and in leading journals across management, energy, and transport. He is CEO of Oxford Global Projects, a specialist advisory firm, advising governments and major program teams across transport, infrastructure, IT, and energy. He completed his doctorate at Oxford in 2015, having previously worked at McKinsey's Business Technology Office in Düsseldorf and Chicago.Episode Resources:Alexander Budzier on LinkedInOxford Global Projects  WebsitePierre Le Manh on LinkedInProject Management Institute WebsiteProject Management Institute LinkedIn

In this episode of The Shift Code Podcast, host Pierre Le Manh is joined by Julia Dhar of Boston Consulting Group (BCG) to discuss why most change initiatives stall, how to architect decisions that accelerate adoption, and the human behavioral science principles that separate transformation success from failure.What You’ll Learn:How to shift from false alignment to true agreementWhy agency matters more than involvement in change initiativesHow to architect choices that accelerate adoptionThe critical difference between threat, fitness, and destiny organizational change narrativesWhy process excellence is inseparable from human successJulia Dhar is a Harvard-trained behavioral scientist and Managing Director at Boston Consulting Group, where she founded and leads BCG’s Behavioral Science Lab. She has spent more than a decade applying experimental behavioral science—drawing from psychology, economics, and neuroscience—to large-scale organizational change, advising CEOs and leadership teams across industries and countries. Julia’s TED talks on productive disagreement and constructive conversations have been viewed more than 8.5 million times. She is a Forbes columnist who has written for The Financial Times and Harvard Business Review and is a member of the Aspen Institute’s Advisory Board on Social Trust, and the National Advisory Board for Disagree Better. She holds a Master's in Public Policy (MPP) from Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government and a Bachelor's degree in Economic and Social Sciences from the University of Sydney. She has worked in more than 25 countries.Episode Resources:Julia Dhar on LinkedInBoston Consulting Group WebsitePierre Le Manh on LinkedInProject Management Institute WebsiteProject Management Institute LinkedIn

In this episode of The Shift Code Podcast, host Pierre Le Manh is joined by Roger Martella of GE Vernova to dive into how a 2023 spinoff from GE transformed a legacy industrial conglomerate into a purpose-built energy technology company.What You’ll Learn:How to balance short-term nimbleness with long-term strategic convictionThe simplicity principle for transformationWhy service mentality unlocks innovation at scaleHow to navigate policy misalignment without compromising purposeThe role of purpose in driving enterprise-wide alignmentRoger Martella is Executive Vice President, Chief Corporate Officer, Chief Sustainability Officer, and Head of Government Affairs at GE Vernova, where he leads global efforts to address the energy trilemma: reliability, affordability, and sustainability. Previously, he served as General Counsel of the U.S. EPA, confirmed unanimously by the Senate, and as principal counsel for complex environmental litigation at the DOJ.Episode Resources:Roger Martella on LinkedInGE Vernova WebsitePierre Le Manh on LinkedInProject Management Institute WebsiteProject Management Institute LinkedIn

In this episode of The Shift Code Podcast, host Pierre Le Manh is joined by Luisa Barraza, Chief Vice President of People Experience, Organizational Development, and Transformation at Pfizer, to discuss why the human element is the foundation of enterprise agility, how to apply human-centered design and agile principles across complex organizations, and the strategic shifts required to thrive in an AI-disrupted world.What You’ll Learn:Why transformation fails when you lead with technology instead of peopleHow to apply human-centered design to internal transformation projectsWhy AI projects fail at scale and how to reverse courseHow to future-proof your workforce amid AI disruptionThe critical rebalancing act for global corporations facing deglobalizationWhy you should shift from change management to change-makingLuisa Barraza is the Vice President of People Experience, Organizational Development, and Transformation at Pfizer and an “intrapreneur” who is passionate about transforming how organizations work. Luisa has over 20 years of experience in roles across global markets and functions, including Technology, Corporate Audit, Global Marketing, Innovation, and People Experience. Her favorite part of these experiences has been leading enterprise-wide transformation initiatives.Episode Resources:Luisa Barraza on LinkedInPfizer WebsitePierre Le Manh on LinkedInProject Management Institute WebsiteProject Management Institute LinkedIn

In this episode of The Shift Code Podcast, host Pierre Le Manh, live from PMI Global Summit event in Phoenix Arizona is joined by Jessica Sibley, CEO of TIME, to discuss how she transformed one of the world’s most iconic brands from a struggling legacy publisher into a digitally-native powerhouse with record audience reach.What You’ll Learn:How to diagnose and rebuild an atrophied core businessWhy removing paywalls increased value instead of destroying itHow to negotiate AI integration rather than litigate or ignore itAI as a force multiplier for journalismHow to build followership through radical transparency and decisive leadershipJessica Sibley is the CEO of TIME, one of the world's most iconic media brands with over 100 years of history. With a background in legacy media transformation across venerable publishing companies, including Bloomberg and Forbes, Jessica brings deep expertise in business model diversification, digital transformation, and sustainable growth in legacy industries.Episode Resources:Jessica Sibley on LinkedInTIME WebsitePierre Le Manh on LinkedInProject Management Institute WebsiteProject Management Institute LinkedIn

In this episode of The Shift Code Podcast, host Pierre Le Manh is joined by Anne Raimondi, Chief Operating Officer and Head of Business at Asana, to discuss what it really takes to lead in the era of AI. Anne dives deep into the evolution of SaaS, the rise of hybrid human-AI teams, the future of work, and how Asana is reimagining collaboration, enterprise agility, and AI accountability.What You’ll Learn:What “work about work” is and how AI is helping eliminate itHow Asana’s unique work graph gives AI teammates powerful contextWhy hybrid human-AI teams are transforming collaboration and creativityHow AI is accelerating workflows and freeing teams for higher-value workWhat enterprise agility really means and how leaders can enable itAnne Raimondi is Asana's COO and Head of Business, leading and scaling Asana’s growth and global business operations and go-to-market teams, including sales, marketing, customer operations, partner programs, and business development. Anne is an industry veteran with over 20 years of experience leading various product and business functions in fast-growing SaaS companies. Prior to her role at Asana, she was the Chief Customer Officer at Guru, Senior Vice President Operations at Zendesk, Chief Revenue Officer at TaskRabbit, and held senior positions with SurveyMonkey and eBay. She holds a B.A. in Economics and Sociology, and an M.B.A. from Stanford University.Episode Resources:Anne Raimondi on LinkedInAsana WebsitePierre Le Manh on LinkedInProject Management Institute WebsiteProject Management Institute LinkedIn

In this episode of The Shift Code Podcast, host Pierre Le Manh is joined by Alexandra Amouyel, President and CEO of Newman's Own Foundation, to break down how the company funnels 100% of its profits to support children facing adversity, how its unique legal structure became a blueprint for purpose-driven enterprise, and how a $40,000 salad dressing experiment became $600 million in impact.What You’ll Learn:How to structure and govern a 100% for-purpose enterprise that balances commercial success with social impactThe governance framework for maintaining separation between the foundation and business operationsWhy traditional business metrics and incentive structures can coexist with charitable missionsHow to build sustainable funding models for social impact without relying on traditional donor relationshipsWhy food justice and children's nutrition represent strategic leverage points for addressing broader societal challengesHow to navigate market disruptions and maintain social impact during economic headwindsAlexandra Amouyel is the president and CEO of Newman's Own Foundation, a private grant-making foundation whose mission is to nourish and transform the lives of children who face adversity. The foundation's structure is unique and continues Paul Newman's commitment to use all the money that it receives — 100% of the profits and royalties — from the sale of Newman’s Own products in service of its mission. Through the efforts of Paul Newman, Newman's Own and the Newman's Own Foundation, more than 600 million dollars has been given to social impact organizations since 1982. Before taking the helm at Newman’s Own Foundation, Amouyel led MIT Solve as its founding executive director with a mission to drive innovation to solve the world’s greatest challenges. Before MIT Solve, she was the director of the program for the Clinton Global Initiative. She is also the author of The Answer Is You: A Guidebook to Creating a Life Full of Impact and an executive producer for The Big Idea, an award-winning documentary series that follows three social entrepreneurs trying to bring their world-changing ideas to market.Episode Resources:Alexandra Amouyel on LinkedInNewman's Own Foundation WebsiteThe Answer Is You BookPierre Le Manh on LinkedInProject Management Institute WebsiteProject Management Institute LinkedIn

In this episode of The Shift Code Podcast, host Pierre Le Manh is joined by Annie Jackson, Co-founder and CEO of Credo Beauty, to explore how retailers can act as industry regulators, drive sustainable transformation, and balance purpose with profitability in the clean beauty sector.What You’ll Learn:Why self-regulation can be more effective than government oversight in driving industry transformationHow to scale sustainable practices across a complex supply chain while maintaining authenticity and brand integrityThe Credo Clean Standard approach to implementing science-backed sustainability metrics across 130+ brandsHow to balance mission-driven objectives with commercial success in trend-driven industriesBeauty veteran Annie Jackson has been a key player in the successes of the industry’s biggest beauty companies. Annie began her career at Estée Lauder, where, after 6 years, she was recruited to be one of the early members of the team that launched Sephora USA and Japan. Later, she took a role as the Director of Global Product Marketing for Benefit Cosmetics and, in 2011, returned to her Sephora roots in merchandising for color cosmetics at Sephora within JCPenney. Her love of beauty and quest for cleaner options led her, alongside Shashi Batra, to create Credo Beauty. As Co-Founders, they shared a vision to change the way people think about what they put in and on their bodies and skin, fostering a new generation of beauty brands — natural, organic, effective, clean, and sustainable — pioneering the clean beauty movement.Episode Resources:Annie Jackson on LinkedInCredo Beauty WebsitePierre Le Manh on LinkedInProject Management Institute WebsiteProject Management Institute LinkedIn

In this episode of The Shift Code Podcast, host Pierre Le Manh is joined by Manuel Rios Krauss, Chief Innovation and R&D Officer at Natura, to discuss how to balance sustainability goals with business imperatives, scale eco-friendly practices globally, and foster breakthrough innovation in established industries.What You’ll Learn:How to transform sustainability from a corporate initiative into a commercial advantageWhy local knowledge and indigenous traditions can become powerful differentiators in global marketsHow to balance rapid transformation with organizational clarity using the 40-40-20 leadership approachThe three major disruptions reshaping businessWhy successful innovation requires both crazy people and practical operators to create dynamic equilibriumHow to structure innovation around consumer pain points rather than traditional product categoriesManuel Rios Krauss is Chief R&D and Innovation Officer at Natura, leading the company’s transformation through regenerative science, biotechnology, and Amazon-powered innovation. With over 20 years of global experience in the beauty industry, including at Unilever, he combines deep expertise in product innovation and sustainability with a passion for emerging technologies. He also co-founded Deep Blue BioTech and advises next-generation materials ventures like Cambrium.Episode Resources:Manuel Rios Krauss on LinkedInNatura WebsitePierre Le Manh on LinkedInProject Management Institute WebsiteProject Management Institute LinkedIn

In this episode of The Shift Code Podcast, host Pierre Le Manh is joined by Ernesto Pagano, a Managing Director and Senior Partner at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), to share insights on the real-world implementation of AI across industries, focusing on transformation challenges, organizational approaches, and practical success factors.What You’ll Learn:Why AI transformation is 10% technology, 20% tools/processes, and 70% change managementHow to balance centralized and decentralized approaches to AI implementation for maximum innovation and scalabilityThe critical factors driving successful AI adoption across support functions versus core business operationsWhy responsible AI governance and data infrastructure are fundamental to transformation successHow to adapt project management approaches for AI initiativesErnesto Pagano is a core member of the Technology, Media & Telecommunication practice at Boston Consulting Group, and leads the firm’s media work globally. Since joining BCG in 2009, Ernesto has advised clients on growth strategy, innovation, operating model transformation, and organizational design. Ernesto has deep experience in media, information services, and education/upskilling. In 2015, Ernesto was a BCG Ambassador in the Middle East, helping grow the local media and public sector business. Prior to joining BCG, Ernesto was an investment banker with Merrill Lynch in London and Hong Kong, as part of the mergers and acquisitions team.Episode Resources:Ernesto Pagano on LinkedInBoston Consulting Group (BCG) WebsitePierre Le Manh on LinkedInProject Management Institute WebsiteProject Management Institute LinkedIn

In this episode of The Shift Code Podcast, host Pierre Le Manh sits with Jennifer Lotito, President & Chief Operating Officer at (RED), to explore how a lean, purpose-driven team builds partnerships, harnesses AI, and uses project management to transform business strategy for nonprofit success.What You’ll Learn:How to rethink corporate partnerships that drive social impact and business value.How to re-scale impact with limited resources through strategic project management.How purpose-built development helps RED’s lean team stay agile and future-ready.How to manage complex projects that involve global brands and nonprofit initiatives.How to harness AI to enhance operational efficiency.How to balance awareness campaigns and measurable financial results using the “Heat and Check” Framework.Jennifer Lotito is the President & Chief Operating Officer of (RED), a pioneering organization dedicated to bringing private sector engagement into the fight against HIV/AIDS. With over 17 years at (RED), she has been instrumental in developing innovative partnerships with global brands like Apple, Manchester United, and Qualcomm to generate funding for the Global Fund. Under her leadership, (RED) has transformed corporate social responsibility by creating successful product-based fundraising models that have made significant impacts in healthcare accessibility across Africa. Episode Resources:Jennifer Lotito on LinkedIn(RED) WebsitePierre Le Manh on LinkedInProject Management Institute WebsiteProject Management Institute LinkedIn

In this episode of The Shift Code Podcast, host Pierre Le Manh is joined by Stephan Pretorius, Chief Technology Officer at WPP, to share an unfiltered look at how one of the world's largest marketing groups is using AI to reshape strategy, creative work, and even its business model.What You’ll Learn:How to drive enterprise-wide transformation through technology platforms while maintaining psychological safety and entrepreneurial spiritThe three-phase approach to transforming highly federated organizationsWhy successful AI implementation requires multidisciplinary teams and M-shaped professionals who combine broad expertise with deep specializationsHow to evolve from time-based billing to outcome-based commercial models in professional servicesWhy humanities education and critical thinking are crucial competitive advantages in the AI eraStephan Pretorius was appointed as WPP’s first Chief Technology Officer in 2018. He leads the company’s AI and product strategy and currently serves as interim Chair of AKQA. Previously, he was UK Group CEO and Global CTO of Wunderman, joining the agency in 2016. With a unique background combining law and technology, Stephan has been instrumental in transforming WPP from a federation of 450 agencies into five integrated global organizations through technological innovation. As the architect of WPP Open, the company's proprietary AI-powered platform, he has led WPP’s $400 million annual investment in internal product development, revolutionizing how the organization delivers creative and marketing services.Episode Resources:Stephan Pretorius on LinkedInWPP WebsitePierre Le Manh on LinkedInProject Management Institute WebsiteProject Management Institute LinkedIn

On this episode of The Shift Code, PMI CEO Pierre Le Manh talks with founder of Stemeria, Julissa Mateo Abad, about her innovative approach to digital transformation. Learn how Julissa breaks cultural barriers, measures impact and takes a pragmatic approach to AI implementation. Plus, explore how she's revolutionizing tech across Latin America through inclusive, sustainable innovation.  

On this episode of The Shift Code, PMI CEO Pierre Le Manh sits down with co-founder and CEO of UrbanKisaan, Vihari Kanukollu, to talk about the role his company plays in transforming one of the world’s oldest human activities—food farming. Learn about how UrbanKisaan’s technology boosts the efficiency, quality, and affordability of food farming, how Vihari’s remarkable company is working to expand its impact, and more.

On this episode of The Shift Change, PMI CEO Pierre Le Manh talks with Flagship founder and CEO Simon Molnar about how digital engagement strategies can revolutionize traditional retail. Learn how e-commerce analytics transform in-store experiences and discover why the future of retail lives at the intersection of digital and physical commerce. Plus, hear Simon’s practical insights for implementing transformation without being too disruptive to business.   

On this episode of The Shift Code, PMI CEO Pierre Le Manh sits down with co-founder and CEO of Jetstream Africa, Miishe Addy, to discuss how family wisdom and tools from her Stanford education helped her develop an effective approach to easing bottlenecks in trade and unlocking opportunities for broad business growth. Plus, learn about how Africa’s economic health is critical to the success of global markets, the value of purpose and growth mindsets, and the importance of spontaneity in innovation.  

PMI CEO Pierre Le Manh sits down with innovation expert, author, and founder of TWIN, Robert C. Wolcott, to talk about how technology is revolutionizing customer relationships. Learn how industry leaders like Domino's and Emirates Airlines are transforming their operations through proximity innovations and discover why closing the distance between businesses and customers is the transformative key to future success.

On this episode of The Shift Code, PMI CEO Pierre Le Manh chats with aerospace pioneer and CEO of Intuitive Machines, Steve Altemus, about how his revolutionary company achieved the first U.S. moon landing in over 50 years, and how he continues to keep the aerospace industry on the cutting-edge by making it faster, more agile, and more accessible for the emerging space economy.