Welcome to A Class Act: Conversations in Data & Leadership.

I’m Michael, and after nearly two decades leading data talent acquisition with MBN Solutions, I’ve seen firsthand that exceptional teams don’t just happen - they’re built. They’re crafted by placing the right people in the right roles, at exactly the right time.

This podcast pulls back the curtain on what it takes to build and lead high-performing teams in today’s data-driven world.

Each episode, we sit down with the leaders shaping the future of technology and analytics - those who’ve made critical hires, driven digital transformation, and led with purpose and vision.

You’ll hear real-world stories, lessons learned, and behind-the-scenes insights from the front lines of data science, recruitment, and leadership.

Whether you’re leading data, AI, or analytics teams, shaping strategy, or scaling capability, our conversations are candid, experience-led, and grounded in the realities of building and leading in this space. Real insights from those who’ve done the hard yards at the forefront of data and leadership.

The podcast officially launches on May 20, 2025.

Hit follow on your favorite podcast streaming platform to join the conversation and be notified when a new episode is live.

Connect with Michael and MBN Solutions:

Michael Young on LinkedIn – Follow Michael for advice on talent acquisition, leadership in data science, and stories from the front lines of tech recruitment. Connect with Michael here.

MBN Solutions on LinkedIn – Explore industry updates, groundbreaking projects, and the latest in data and analytics talent. Join the conversation and discover how MBN Solutions is shaping the future of data leadership. Visit the company page here.

For questions, guest recommendations, or to connect:

Email: michael@mbnsolutions.com

Visit MBN Solutions website at www.mbnsolutions.com

What does it take to thrive across 35 years in data leadership? And how do you build high-performing teams – not just for now, but for the future?

In this inaugural episode of A Class Act: Conversations in Data & Leadership, Michael Young sits down with a true veteran of the data world: Graeme McDermott, Chief Data Officer at Tempcover.

From his early actuarial days to leading enterprise data transformations through five company acquisitions, Graeme brings insights into what makes a modern data leader tick – and stick.

But this conversation isn’t just about strategy or statistics. It’s also a real, and revealing look at the human side of leadership: the power of trust, the cost of tough decisions, and the long game of building both teams and friendships that last decades.

Expect stories and every aspiring leader needs to hear.

In this episode, they explore:

• What 35 years in data leadership teaches you (and why Graeme is still not done learning)
• How to build high-performing teams in high-pressure environments
• The shift from transactional to trusted relationships – in business and beyond
• Why some data leaders succeed short-term, but fail to scale
• The power of mentorship, memory, and making the complex feel simple

If you lead (or aspire to lead) in the world of data, analytics, or digital transformation – this is a must-listen.

Connect with Michael and MBN Solutions:

Michael Young on LinkedIn – Follow Michael for advice on talent acquisition, leadership in data science, and stories from the front lines of tech recruitment. Connect with Michael here.

MBN Solutions on LinkedIn – Explore industry updates, groundbreaking projects, and the latest in data and analytics talent. Join the conversation and discover how MBN Solutions is shaping the future of data leadership. Visit the company page here.

Connect with Graeme McDermott on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chiefdataanalyticsofficerlondon/

For questions, guest recommendations, or to connect:

Email: michael@mbnsolutions.com

Visit MBN Solutions website at www.mbnsolutions.com

What does it take to build high-performing teams in today’s product and tech landscape - and how do you keep your own leadership evolving in the process?

In this episode of A Class Act: Conversations in Data & Leadership, Shannon McKechnie, Managing Director at MBN Solutions, is joined by Adriana Ignat - a Pproduct Management and Design leader and an AI specialist, whose career includes more than a decade at Google and roles leading product innovation in high-growth, data rich M&A-driven environments.

From her early days as an apprentice in Poland to shaping Google’s presence in Romania, Adriana brings depth, humility, and sharp insight into what it really means to lead in the modern workplace.

This is not a conversation about titles or frameworks. It’s about the inner work of leadership, and what it takes to build capability that lasts.

In this episode, Adriana shares:

• What more than a decade at Google taught her about product, leadership and herself
• Why your team’s strength should never rely on your presence in the room
• The “Jenga Tower” model of talent development and how it transforms how you lead
• Why being a great individual contributor is still essential, even when you lead
• How to spot genuine capability in the age of AI-generated CVs
• Imposter syndrome in leadership and how to work through it

Disclaimer: The views expressed by Adriana Ignat in this episode are her own and do not reflect those of her current or former employers.

Connect with Michael and MBN Solutions:

Michael Young on LinkedIn – Follow Michael for advice on talent acquisition, leadership in data science, and stories from the front lines of tech recruitment. Connect with Michael here.

MBN Solutions on LinkedIn – Explore industry updates, groundbreaking projects, and the latest in data and analytics talent. Join the conversation and discover how MBN Solutions is shaping the future of data leadership. Visit the company page here.

Connect with Adriana Ignat on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianaignat/

For questions, guest recommendations, or to connect:

Email: michael@mbnsolutions.com

Visit MBN Solutions website at www.mbnsolutions.com