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What happens when decades of executive experience meet the CEO chair for the first time? Steven DeMaayer stepped into his role as CEO of Novatech with more than 25 years of experience in managed IT and senior leadership. Yet his first year reinforced something counterintuitive: becoming CEO doesn't mean having more answers. It requires becoming more comfortable admitting what you don't know. In this conversation, Steven and Dave Osh explore the transition from experienced executive to first-time CEO—and the leadership shifts that come with it. Steven shares why he spent his first 90 days learning rather than arriving with a predetermined plan, traveling to all 18 Novatech locations and listening to employees throughout the organization. He reflects on learning to give up control of execution without giving up accountability for outcomes, building trust with a new leadership team, and navigating the expectation that the CEO should somehow know everything. They also explore a different challenge: moving from an optimization mindset to a growth mindset. Steven discusses why companies can't optimize their way to sustained top-line growth, the role of experimentation in creating organic growth, and how Novatech is evolving as AI rapidly changes both its industry and its clients' needs. Ultimately, Steven returns to one lesson from his first year: curiosity requires humility. If a CEO needs to appear as though they already have the answers, they may stop asking the questions that help them find better ones. This episode is about letting go of control, staying curious, and discovering what changes when an experienced leader becomes a first-time CEO. About Steven DeMaayer:  Steven DeMaayer is CEO of Novatech, a nationwide provider of managed office solutions spanning IT, print, cloud, and security. Before joining Novatech in 2025, Steven held senior leadership roles at Blue Mantis, Carousel Industries, Wipro, Dimension Data, and HP. He brings more than 20 years of IT services leadership experience and holds degrees in Industrial Engineering and Business Administration from the University of Florida. About Dave Osh Dave Osh is the founder of Varlinx and a transformation catalyst dedicated to evolving leadership potential and creating a ripple effect of unity in our divided world. His conversations surface practical, human strategies leaders can use tomorrow. Dave is the author of The CEO Potential: Transcend Self, Team and Organization for Lasting Success in the New Age of AI, and is known for his TED talk, Overcoming Bias to Unite Our Divided World.

What if the most important conversation is the one happening beneath the words? James Freeman, CEO of PJ Fitzpatrick, believes great leadership begins by asking “the question beyond the question.” Instead of accepting the first answer, he teaches leaders to look deeper—to uncover potential, understand what truly matters to people, and help them become more than they thought possible. Since becoming CEO in 2020, James has led PJ Fitzpatrick through extraordinary growth while preserving a culture centered on trust, intentionality, and people development. Under his leadership, the company has expanded from 150 to 800 employees, grown revenue more than twelvefold, and earned one of the highest employee approval ratings in the country. In this conversation, James and Dave Osh explore why kindness is a leadership choice, why failure is an essential part of growth, how leaders create cultures where people thrive, and why developing people—not managing them—is the ultimate competitive advantage. This episode is about leading with intention, seeing the person behind the role, and discovering the potential that often lies just beneath the first answer. About James Freeman James Freeman is the CEO of PJ Fitzpatrick, one of the leading home remodeling companies in the United States. Since taking the helm in 2020, he has led the company’s remarkable growth while building a people-first culture recognized nationally for employee engagement, customer satisfaction, and leadership excellence. James was named Power100’s #1 CEO in America in both 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026. He was an EY Entrepreneur Of The Year finalist in 2024 and 2026. About Dave Osh Dave Osh is the founder of Varlinx and a transformation catalyst dedicated to evolving leadership potential and creating a ripple effect of unity in our divided world. His conversations surface practical, human strategies leaders can use tomorrow. Dave is the author of The CEO Potential: Transcend Self, Team and Organization for Lasting Success in the New Age of AI, and is known for his TED talk, Overcoming Bias to Unite Our Divided World.

What does leadership look like when “normal” no longer exists? Daria Leshchenko, CEO and Managing Partner of SupportYourApp, leads a global organization across rapidly changing environments while continuing to scale an international business and distributed teams around the world. Taking over the company at just 21, Daria scaled it into a multinational operation with over 1,200 people across 8 global hubs, serving more than 250 clients in over 30 countries. Along the way, she co-founded additional ventures in AI data and talent solutions, building a portfolio of fast-growing companies. In this conversation, Daria and Dave Osh explore what it takes to lead when uncertainty becomes constant, how to build resilient global teams, and why mindset becomes one of the most important leadership tools in rapidly changing environments. Daria shares how she approaches leadership as a game, how she maintains momentum through complexity and pressure, and why adaptability, emotional intelligence, and perspective are essential in today’s world. This episode is about resilience, perspective, and redefining what leadership means when the environment is constantly evolving. About Daria Leshchenko Daria Leshchenko is CEO and Managing Partner of SupportYourApp, a global Support-as-a-Service company providing technical support and CX solutions to fast-growing businesses worldwide. She took over the company at age 21 and scaled it into a multinational organization with over 1,200 team members across 8 hubs and clients in more than 30 countries. Daria is also the co-founder of Label Your Data and Outstaff Your Team, and was named to Inc.’s 200 Female Founders list in 2023. A passionate advocate for innovation and emotional intelligence, she is a frequent contributor to major global publications and a speaker at international conferences. About Dave Osh Dave Osh is the founder of Varlinx and a transformation catalyst dedicated to evolving leadership potential and creating a ripple effect of unity in our divided world. His conversations surface practical, human strategies leaders can use tomorrow. Dave is the author of The CEO Potential: Transcend Self, Team and Organization for Lasting Success in the New Age of AI, and is known for his TED talk, Overcoming Bias to Unite Our Divided World.

What quietly destroys teams inside otherwise successful companies? Not bad strategy. Not market pressure. But something much closer to home. Anthony Romano has spent more than 15 years leading growth and transformation across the real estate finance and mortgage technology industries. Today, he serves as CEO of CREtelligent, a commercial real estate due diligence and risk management firm he joined to lead its strategic and digital transformation. Throughout his leadership journey—from executive roles at CoreLogic and First American Financial to building companies of his own—Anthony has seen a consistent pattern: organizations struggle not because they lack strategy, but because their culture allows internal competition to erode trust. In this conversation, Anthony and host Dave Osh explore the leadership behaviors that shape culture—and why the most successful organizations create environments where people support each other rather than compete internally. Anthony also shares a personal reflection from his own family life that unexpectedly shaped how he thinks about teamwork, trust, and leadership. Why it matters: Strategy may define direction, but culture determines whether people actually move together. In this episode, we discuss: Why internal competition quietly weakens organizationsHow leaders unintentionally create cultural frictionThe connection between trust, alignment, and performanceWhy the strongest teams operate with mutual support rather than rivalry About Anthony Romano Anthony Romano is the CEO of CREtelligent, a commercial real estate due diligence and risk management firm. A veteran of the real estate finance and mortgage technology sectors, he previously served as Chief Revenue Officer at First American Financial and Executive Vice President at CoreLogic. Earlier in his career, Anthony co-founded CustomerLink Systems, a CRM technology platform, and was named an EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2023 Bay Area Award finalist. About Dave Osh Dave Osh is the founder of Varlinx and a transformation catalyst dedicated to evolving leadership potential and creating a ripple effect of unity in our divided world. His conversations surface practical, human strategies leaders can use tomorrow. Dave is the author of The CEO Potential: Transcend Self, Team and Organization for Lasting Success in the New Age of AI, and is known for his TED talk, Overcoming Bias to Unite Our Divided World.

What does it really mean to lead with authenticity, especially when everything you say and do could be scrutinized? Krista Snelling, CEO and Chairman of West Coast Community Bank, has spent nearly three decades in banking and leadership. In an industry built on trust, regulation, and reputation, she has learned that leadership isn’t about managing perception—it’s about consistency of character. In this conversation, Krista and Dave Osh explore the reality of leading under constant visibility, why integrity is not situational, and how small daily decisions shape long-term credibility. We also discuss the pressure leaders face to “perform” the role, and why authenticity is not a soft concept—but a strategic necessity. Krista shares insights from her journey from CFO to CEO, how she navigates high-stakes leadership with clarity and discipline, and why doing the right thing consistently eliminates the need to manage optics later. This episode is a reminder that leadership is always on display—and that trust is built long before it’s tested. About Krista Snelling Krista Snelling is Chairman and CEO of West Coast Community Bank, bringing nearly 30 years of experience in banking, finance, and executive leadership. She previously served as COO and CFO of Five Star Bank and has been recognized multiple times by American Banker and the Silicon Valley Business Journal for her impact in the industry. Krista serves on the San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank’s Home Office Board and holds degrees in economics from the University of the Pacific and UC Davis. About Dave Osh Dave Osh is the founder of Varlinx and a transformation catalyst dedicated to evolving leadership potential and creating a ripple effect of unity in our divided world. His conversations surface practical, human strategies leaders can use tomorrow. Dave is the author of The CEO Potential: Transcend Self, Team and Organization for Lasting Success in the New Age of AI, and is known for his TED talk, Overcoming Bias to Unite Our Divided World.

What if the very thing that got you promoted is the thing that now limits your leadership? When Conor Bagnell stepped into the top role at MHK, part of the Hearst Health network, he did what high performers do — he provided answers. When his team asked for alignment, he went away, built the strategy himself, and brought it back. What he got in return wasn’t momentum. It was silence. That moment forced a deeper realization: at the enterprise level, leadership isn’t about being right. It’s about building shared ownership. In this episode, Conor and I explore the shift from expert to enterprise leader, why premature clarity can undermine alignment, and how productive disagreement strengthens executive teams. We also unpack how meditation shaped his self-awareness, why new CEOs should resist the urge to make immediate decisions, and how trust grows when leaders create space rather than control outcomes. If you’ve built your career on being the smartest person in the room, this conversation may challenge you. About Conor Bagnell Conor Bagnell is President of MHK, part of the Hearst Health network, where he leads strategy and operations in the healthcare technology space. With a background in engineering and product leadership, he has spent over 15 years serving health plans and provider organizations, focused on innovation, alignment, and customer impact. About the Host Dave Osh is the founder of Varlinx and a transformation catalyst dedicated to evolving leadership potential and creating a ripple effect of unity in our divided world. His conversations surface practical, human strategies leaders can use tomorrow. Dave is the author of The CEO Potential: Transcend Self, Team and Organization for Lasting Success in the New Age of AI, and is known for his TED talk, Overcoming Bias to Unite Our Divided World.

What if the moments that hurt the most are the ones that quietly shape you into the leader you become? Keith Miller doesn’t define his leadership by success. He defines it by recovery. In this episode, Keith reflects on the setbacks that tested him — the operational missteps, the financial pressures, and the hard lessons that forced him to grow faster than he wanted to. Instead of hiding those moments, he explains how they strengthened his judgment, sharpened his instincts, and deepened his commitment to servant leadership. We explore what it takes to build loyalty in a high-growth organization, how to choose the right capital partners, why silos quietly destroy performance, and how resilience is built in real time — not in hindsight. This is a conversation about discipline. About humility. And about understanding that failure, when faced directly, becomes an advantage. About the Guest Keith Miller serves as President of Partnerships for Dentists (P4D). With more than 28 years of executive experience across retail and retail healthcare, Keith has built and scaled high-growth platforms through disciplined execution and a servant leadership culture. Before joining P4D, he served as President of Legacy ER & Urgent Care, tripling the company’s size through strategic acquisitions and building the infrastructure for continued expansion. About the Host Dave Osh is the founder of Varlinx and a transformation catalyst dedicated to evolving leadership potential and creating a ripple effect of unity in our divided world. His conversations surface practical, human strategies leaders can use tomorrow. Dave is the author of The CEO Potential: Transcend Self, Team and Organization for Lasting Success in the New Age of AI, and is known for his TED talk, Overcoming Bias to Unite Our Divided World.

What happens when playing it safe starts costing more than taking the risk? Ernesto Aguilar has spent more than three decades leading through complexity—scaling firms, integrating acquisitions, and making decisions where certainty was never guaranteed. In this conversation, Ernesto reflects on the moments when caution felt responsible—but courage turned out to be essential. We talk about fear not as something to eliminate, but as something to work with. Ernesto shares how experience, loss, and long-term perspective reshaped the way he approaches leadership, growth, and responsibility—not just to the business, but to the people inside it. This episode explores why meaningful progress often requires discomfort, how regret quietly accumulates when leaders delay hard choices, and why courage becomes clearer with time—even if it never gets easier. Ernesto spoke about leading without false confidence, building an employee-centric culture in a fast-growing organization, and why integration—not expansion alone—is the real work of growth. About the guest Ernesto Aguilar is the CEO of Ardurra Group, Inc., a national architectural and engineering consulting firm. A seasoned Professional Engineer with over 30 years of experience, Ernesto brings deep expertise across operations, business development, project delivery, and M&A integration within the AE industry. As CEO, he leads Ardurra’s organic and acquisitive growth strategy with a sharp focus on culture, quality, and long-term value creation—drawing from his experience leading private, public, and private equity-backed organizations. About the Host Dave Osh is the founder of Varlinx and a transformation catalyst dedicated to evolving leadership potential and creating a ripple effect of unity in our divided world. His conversations surface practical, human strategies leaders can use tomorrow. Dave is the author of The CEO Potential: Transcend Self, Team and Organization for Lasting Success in the New Age of AI, and is known for his TED talk, Overcoming Bias to Unite Our Divided World.

Some leadership lessons don’t come from wins—they come from the moments that test who you are when things don’t go as planned. Travis Hess has spent more than 15 years leading global commerce organizations, advising boards, scaling businesses, and navigating high-stakes transitions. Today, as CEO of Commerce, he carries responsibility for a global platform and thousands of customers. But in this conversation, Travis doesn’t focus on playbooks or success stories. Instead, he speaks candidly about adversity, vulnerability, and the reality that “bad stuff happens”—even at the highest levels. We explore why being yourself as a leader requires real vulnerability, how pushing through difficult moments shapes long-term success, and why resilience matters more than polish when the pressure is on. Dave sat down with Travis to unpack what’s hard about leadership that rarely gets said out loud—how identity, adversity, and perseverance intersect when the stakes are real. This episode is a reminder that leadership isn’t forged in comfort, but in the moments we don’t get to avoid. Throughout the conversation, Travis and Dave explore what it really takes to lead through adversity, and why vulnerability is often the difference between short-term survival and lasting success. About the guest Travis Hess is the CEO of Commerce, where he leads global operations and growth for the commerce platform. He joined the company in 2024 after senior leadership roles at Accenture, where he led direct-to-consumer commerce and global partnerships. Travis has also served as CEO of BVA and EVP at The Stable, advising and scaling some of the world’s leading ecommerce brands. He has been recognized as one of Signifyd’s 30 Most Influential in Ecommerce and serves on multiple partner advisory boards. Travis lives in Austin with his two children. About the Host Dave Osh is the founder of Varlinx and a transformation catalyst dedicated to evolving leadership potential and creating a ripple effect of unity in our divided world. His conversations surface practical, human strategies leaders can use tomorrow. Dave is the author of The CEO Potential: Transcend Self, Team and Organization for Lasting Success in the New Age of AI, and is known for his TED talk, Overcoming Bias to Unite Our Divided World.

You can survive a bad deal. You can even recover from a failed strategy. But some leadership mistakes don’t announce themselves—and they don’t fade quietly. Norman Radow knows this firsthand. As the Founder and CEO of The RADCO Companies, Norman has led more than 150 real estate turnarounds, transforming distressed assets into thriving communities and building one of the most respected multifamily investment and management platforms in the industry. But in this conversation, he goes beyond transactions and trophies. Norman reflects candidly on the harder lessons of leadership—how people decisions compound over time, why trust is far more fragile than capital, and how success can blind even experienced CEOs to the moments that matter most. We explore what it takes to lead after mistakes, how to resist becoming anchored to past wins, and why humility—not confidence—is often the real edge. Dave Osh sat down with Norman to talk about rebuilding neighborhoods, rebuilding trust, and the internal discipline required to stay adaptable after decades at the top. This episode is a reminder that legacy isn’t built by avoiding failure—but by how leaders respond when it shows up. Throughout the conversation, Norman and host Dave Osh explore leadership through the lens of experience—what only time, failure, and responsibility can teach. About the guest Norman Radow is the Founder and CEO of The RADCO Companies, a real estate investment, development, and management firm established in 1994. Under his leadership, RADCO has completed more than 150 successful projects, including the landmark redevelopment that became Atlanta’s Four Seasons Hotel. Since 2011, RADCO has acquired 88 apartment communities totaling more than 28,000 units and built RADCO Residential, a best-in-class multifamily management platform. Norman is a former real estate attorney, a widely recognized industry voice, and a longtime advocate for social equity and education. About the Host Dave Osh is the founder of Varlinx and a transformation catalyst dedicated to evolving leadership potential and creating a ripple effect of unity in our divided world. His conversations surface practical, human strategies leaders can use tomorrow. Dave is the author of The CEO Potential: Transcend Self, Team and Organization for Lasting Success in the New Age of AI, and is known for his TED talk, Overcoming Bias to Unite Our Divided World.

What happens when the numbers are strong—but leadership still feels off course? Jay Brown, CEO of David Weekley Homes, has led at the highest levels of business, doubling the size of an S&P 500 company while building a culture rooted in trust, transparency, and people-first performance. In this conversation, Jay challenges a quiet leadership trap: when metrics pull our attention downward, leaders can lose sight of where they’re actually going. Jay shares how great leadership requires lifting your gaze beyond dashboards and near-term motion to the horizon—where purpose, direction, and long-term impact live. We explore why metrics are necessary but insufficient, how culture becomes a strategic advantage, and what it takes to lead with clarity when pressure is high and complexity is constant. Why this matters: In a world obsessed with measurement, Jay offers a grounded reminder: movement isn’t the same as progress. Leaders who don’t regularly zoom out risk steering well—toward the wrong destination. About the Guest: Jay Brown is the CEO of David Weekley Homes and a former CEO of Crown Castle, where he led the company through significant growth while cultivating a high-performance, people-centered culture. Known for his focus on employee engagement, transparency, and trust, Jay brings a rare blend of operational rigor and human leadership to every role he takes. About the Host: Dave Osh is the founder of Varlinx and a transformation catalyst dedicated to evolving leadership potential and creating a ripple effect of unity in our divided world. His conversations surface practical, human strategies leaders can use tomorrow. Dave is the author of The CEO Potential: Transcend Self, Team and Organization for Lasting Success in the New Age of AI, and is known for his TED talk, Overcoming Bias to Unite Our Divided World.

What if leadership didn’t end when the workday was over? In this episode, Jordan Smith, the CEO of Jet Dental, challenges one of the most comfortable myths in leadership: that work and life can be cleanly separated. Drawing on lived experience and deep reflection, Jordan explores how the quality of a leader’s day at work doesn’t stay at work—it ripples into families, relationships, and the lives of people far beyond the office walls. In a powerful moment inspired by Clayton Christensen’s work, Jordan shares how fulfillment, purpose, and challenge at work directly shape who leaders become at home. We unpack why leadership is never neutral, how disengagement quietly spreads, and why the real cost of poor leadership often shows up where no one is measuring it. This conversation goes beyond tactics and performance. It’s about responsibility, presence, and the unseen weight leaders carry—whether they acknowledge it or not. Why this matters: If you’re leading people, your impact doesn’t stop with outcomes and metrics. Jordan’s perspective reframes leadership as a human force—one that shapes energy, behavior, and connection long after the meetings end. About the Guest: Jordan Smith is the co-founder and CEO of Jet Dental, a mobile dental service that brings quality dental care directly to workplaces across the U.S. With over a decade of experience in healthcare, Jordan has built and scaled sales teams, secured enterprise partnerships, and helped make dental care more accessible, convenient, and human-centered. About the Host: Dave Osh is the founder of Varlinx and a transformation catalyst dedicated to evolving leadership potential and creating a ripple effect of unity in our divided world. His conversations surface practical, human strategies leaders can use tomorrow. Dave is the author of The CEO Potential: Transcend Self, Team and Organization for Lasting Success in the New Age of AI, and is known for his TED talk, Overcoming Bias to Unite Our Divided World.

What happens when leadership stops being theoretical and becomes deeply personal? Lance Loveday, CEO of Closed Loop, didn’t grow into a stronger leader through a new strategy or framework. His transformation came through life itself. After losing his father, Lance found that grief reshaped how he showed up—not just as a person, but as a CEO. What emerged was a deeper commitment to his values, greater emotional clarity, and a steadier, more grounded way of leading. In this deeply human conversation, Lance shares how personal loss changed his relationship with authority, control, and decision-making. We explore why leadership maturity often comes from experiences we would never choose, how values become non-negotiable under pressure, and what it truly means to lead with strength that isn’t performative. Together, we talk about the inner work leaders rarely discuss—grief, perspective, humility—and how those experiences can sharpen judgment rather than weaken it. This episode is a reminder that leadership isn’t shaped only in boardrooms, but in moments that test who we are when the titles fall away. Why this matters: If you’re leading through uncertainty, personal challenge, or quiet transformation, Lance’s story offers a powerful reframe: resilience isn’t about pushing harder—it’s about becoming more aligned with what truly matters. Lance Loveday is the CEO of Closed Loop and a seasoned marketing leader with 25 years of experience helping companies grow. He’s worked with teams at PayPal, Netflix, and Facebook, advised CMOs and startups, helped take companies public, and built a successful advertising agency. Over his career, Lance has overseen more than $2B in ad spend and brings a grounded, operator’s perspective to scaling businesses. Dave Osh is the founder of Varlinx and a transformation catalyst dedicated to evolving leadership potential and creating a ripple effect of unity in our divided world. His conversations surface practical, human strategies leaders can use tomorrow. Dave is the author of The CEO Potential: Transcend Self, Team and Organization for Lasting Success in the New Age of AI, and is known for his TED talk Overcoming Bias to Unite Our Divided World.

What happens when a CEO builds a culture where disagreement isn’t a threat — it’s a requirement? Lisa Rosenthal, CEO of Mayvin, leads with unapologetic transparency. She invites dissent, celebrates challenge, and believes alignment is only possible when people are willing to say the uncomfortable things out loud. In her world, “conflict” isn’t chaos — it’s clarity. And she pushes her teams to embrace it through a simple rule: disagree twice, then commit. In our conversation, Lisa shares the leadership moments that shaped her no-filters philosophy, how she learned to love productive friction, and why “nice” cultures often collapse under the weight of unspoken truths. She also explains how she coaches managers to practice radical candor, how she eliminates drama by setting clear boundaries for debate, and why telling someone they’re wrong can be the greatest act of respect. If you’ve ever wondered how to build a team that moves fast, trusts deeply, and argues well, Lisa’s playbook — truth first, alignment second — is a masterclass in modern leadership. Lisa Rosenthal is the CEO and co-founder of Mayvin. Through her focus on innovation in corporate culture and strategic leadership, Mayvin has achieved significant growth by penetrating new and emerging markets through a diversified client base CONUS and OCONUS. Prior to starting Mayvin, she provided analytic, management, and operations support to DoD, DOE, the Intelligence Community, etc. etc. She has an MBA and a BA from American University and is a lifelong learner. In her free time, she also co-runs an Angel Fund, LeVel Up Ventures, with her business partner (Victor) and Pangea Foundation, a non-profit supporting numerous causes, with her real-life partner (Matt). Lisa loves being part of the global community and proudly serves on the Florida Atlantic University Advisory Board, the Truist DC Advisory Board, the American University Entrepreneurship Council, the Kogod Advisory Board, Women in Homeland Security, etc. etc. Lisa has an addiction to obtaining new “unique” skills, certifications, and experiences – everything from Scuba to Wine, from Life Coach to Medicinal Plants, from Archery to Conflict Management, from Angel Investing to Nutrition.  The list just gets weirder “more diverse” the older she gets. Dave Osh sat down with Lisa to explore how candor, conflict, and psychological safety shape strong leadership — and why avoiding tension is the fastest way to slow a company down. Dave Osh is the founder of Varlinx and a transformation catalyst dedicated to evolving leadership potential and creating a ripple effect of unity in our divided world. His conversations surface practical, human strategies leaders can use tomorrow. Dave is the author of The CEO Potential: Transcend Self, Team and Organization for Lasting Success in the New Age of AI, and is known for his TED talk Overcoming Bias to Unite Our Divided World.

What if the trait that once got you in trouble became your greatest leadership asset? What do you do when your entire industry changes overnight? When AI upended the search world, Phillip Thune, CEO of Adthena, faced a leadership crucible few CEOs ever encounter: transform the company’s core business or risk being left behind. In this gripping conversation, Philip shares how he and his team spent a thousand hours debating, redefining, and ultimately reinventing their company’s future in just two months. Guided by an extraordinary board and a culture of transparency, Athena pivoted 80% of its product and tech focus toward AI-powered search—and turned existential fear into unprecedented opportunity. Philip also opens up about the hidden art of working with your board instead of managing it, how to replace a beloved founder without breaking the company’s soul, and why authenticity—not bravado—is the real mark of leadership in times of disruption. Why it matters: In a world where change is constant and speed is survival, Philip’s story is a masterclass in adaptive leadership—how to steady the ship when the map itself is being rewritten Phillip Thune is the CEO of Adthena, a global SaaS company that helps advertisers understand and optimize competitive search performance. With 25+ years in digital marketing and tech, Philip has led multiple growth-stage companies through transformation, bringing operational discipline and cultural empathy to every organization he’s touched.