Momentum inside an organization rarely comes from technology by itself. It is shaped by people, leadership, and the mindset that guides how teams work, adapt, and move forward together.

In this episode, Aaron Kopel sits down with Steven Barley, Chief Information and Technology Officer at the Indiana Public Retirement System (INPRS), to explore how momentum is unlocked by shifting IT from a support function into a strategic business partner. Steven shares his journey from operations into IT leadership and how it shaped his approach to aligning business needs with technology. He explains why real progress comes from understanding core problems, not just applying new tools, and how strong relationships drive better outcomes.

Through his modernization efforts, Steven highlights the importance of intentional AI adoption, strong governance, and investing in people through upskilling. He shows how empowering teams, encouraging cross functional thinking, and focusing on customer experience can transform organizations. Ultimately, he reinforces that lasting momentum comes from developing people and aligning strategy with execution.

Key takeaways:

• Momentum is driven by people and mindset, not just technology
• IT creates more value when it acts as a strategic business partner
• Understanding problems deeply matters more than applying new tool

Episode highlights

(00:00) Intro

(01:00) Transition from operations to IT leadership

(05:32) Advice on l Learning from other industries and experiences

(09:31) Networking through conferences and peer groups

(14:13) Shifting IT to strategic business partner

(19:08) Using skills matrix to upskill teams

(22:24) Building data foundation before AI implementation

(24:24) Challenges of scaling AI governance efforts

(26:15) Starting small to build AI trust

(31:54) Key advice for modern CIO leadership

(39:17) Creative resources to check out

(42:05) Rapid fire questions with Steven

(46:01) Leadership legacy and helping others grow

Steven Barley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sbarley/

Explore the Indiana Public Retirement System (INPRS): https://www.linkedin.com/company/indiana-public-retirement-system/

Aaron Kopel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronkopel

Explore Project Brilliant: https://projectbrilliant.com

Buy Unlocking Momentum: https://a.co/d/hKPFqoS

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 one
• Involving employees early builds buy-in and reduces resistance
• AI implementation should be iterative, not a one-time rollout

Episode 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 Habit

Diana Williams on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-agilecoach/

Aaron Kopel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronkopel

Explore Project Brilliant: https://projectbrilliant.com

Buy 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 effort
• Leadership is about influence and building trust, not authority
• Transparent decision-making and prioritization are essential for success across the enterprise

Episode 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 impact

Patrick 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/aaronkopel

Explore Project Brilliant: https://projectbrilliant.com

Buy 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 one
• Tabletop exercises reveal leadership gaps before a real incident does
• Vendor risk, geopolitics, and poor preparation can quickly become operational crises

Episode 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 reflections

Chetrice Romero on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/romeroclm

Aaron Kopel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronkopel

Explore Ice Miller LLP: https://www.icemiller.com/

Explore Project Brilliant: https://projectbrilliant.com

The 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 momentum
• Leaders must create environments that enable innovation
• Sustainable growth comes from designing systems, not just executing tasks

Episode 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 momentum

Aaron Kopel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronkopel

Explore Central Indiana Corporate Partnership: https://www.cicpindiana.com/

Explore Project Brilliant: https://projectbrilliant.com

Buy 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 solutions
• Shaping problems collaboratively leads to stronger business outcomes
• IT leaders must shift from tech execution to strategic partnership with business units

Episode 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 questions

Jason “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/0814417876

Aaron Kopel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronkopel

Explore Truefire Partners, LLC: https://truefirepartners.com/

Explore Project Brilliant: https://projectbrilliant.com

Buy 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 heroics
• Clarity creates ownership faster than constant execution
• AI is flattening coordination roles, elevating judgment and accountability

Episode 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 legacy

Ting Gootee on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tinggootee

Aaron Kopel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronkopel

Explore Central Indiana Corporate Partnership: https://www.cicpindiana.com/

Explore Project Brilliant: https://projectbrilliant.com

Buy 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 strategy
• Communication builds trust faster than speed alone
• Liberal arts, like critical thinking, storytelling, and communication, are just as essential for shaping well-rounded IT leaders

Episode 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 leadership

Earl Shaw on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/earl-shaw/

Aaron Kopel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronkopel

Explore Renaissance Benefits & Health Insurance: https://renaissancebenefits.com/

Explore Project Brilliant: https://projectbrilliant.com

The Science of Scaling by Benjamin Hardy: https://a.co/d/76xHeGD

Buy Unlocking Momentum: https://a.co/d/hKPFqoS