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Today's Leadership Pulse

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang pledges $150B annual investment in Taiwan to cement AI leadership

Jensen Huang announced Nvidia will invest about $150 billion each year in Taiwan and launch a $5 trillion headquarters project by 2030, creating roughly 4,000 high‑skill jobs and deepening ties with TSMC. The plan positions the island as the epicentre of the AI revolution.

Fremantle UK Taps BBC Studios as People Director
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Fremantle UK Taps BBC Studios as People Director

Fremantle UK has created a People Director position and appointed Lisa Hardy, formerly of BBC Studios, to lead it starting March. Hardy is known for shaping culture across large, diverse media teams and will now drive the company’s people and...

By World Screen
Building a CIO Office to Impact 1,200 Families
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Building a CIO Office to Impact 1,200 Families

My favorite part of my job is working with C-suite officers. Right now, I’m helping build the Office of a CIO ahead of a corporate split. Day 1, she inherits a brand-new company. We meet daily and work through org design, capital allocation,...

By Niklos Alexander
N.I.H. Director Will Temporarily Run C.D.C. in Leadership Shake-Up
NewsFeb 18, 2026

N.I.H. Director Will Temporarily Run C.D.C. in Leadership Shake-Up

Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, the current NIH director, has been named acting director of the CDC, a role he will hold while continuing to lead the National Institutes of Health. He replaces Jim O’Neill, who is slated for a nomination to...

By New York Times – Health
Government Strategy Needs Reimagining: An Experiment From Argentina
BlogFeb 18, 2026

Government Strategy Needs Reimagining: An Experiment From Argentina

Red de Innovación Local (RIL) launched an internal experiment to redesign municipal strategy by first applying its new AI‑driven process to its own team. Using PortalRIL, a platform built on ten years of local‑government data, staff answered a structured “Questions...

By GovLab — Digest —
Scripps Hires Oliver Gray to VP, Network Sports & Client Partnerships
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Scripps Hires Oliver Gray to VP, Network Sports & Client Partnerships

The E.W. Scripps Company announced the appointment of Oliver Gray, a former Overtime executive, as Vice President of Network Sports and Client Partnerships. Gray will oversee national advertiser relationships for Scripps Sports and collaborate with sales and programming teams to...

By The Desk
Why District Leaders Are Rethinking Education Research and Policy
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Why District Leaders Are Rethinking Education Research and Policy

District leaders are confronting tighter budgets and limited margins for error, prompting a shift toward embedding education research and development (R&D) directly into district operations. Initiatives like Digital Promise's League of Innovative Schools provide real‑time data tools and collaborative networks...

By EdSurge
AI Enhances, But Can't Replace Human Insight in Journalism
SocialFeb 18, 2026

AI Enhances, But Can't Replace Human Insight in Journalism

A wonderful evening with the @Columbia Knight-Bagehot Fellows — journalists taking a deep dive into business, economics, finance and technology at a moment when rigorous reporting has never mattered more. We talked about leadership, resilience and AI — and the responsibility...

By Arianna Huffington
Outgoing Sucker Punch Boss Hopes Studio Can Make Games in 'Shorter Periods of Time'
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Outgoing Sucker Punch Boss Hopes Studio Can Make Games in 'Shorter Periods of Time'

Outgoing co‑founder Brian Fleming says Sucker Punch wants to shrink its development cycles from roughly five years to four. The studio’s recent hit, Ghost of Yotei, outperformed its predecessor and won a DICE award, proving the model can still deliver commercial...

By Game Developer (formerly Gamasutra)
Hashtag Orange Promotes Gaurang Menon to Managing Partner & Creative Head – West
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Hashtag Orange Promotes Gaurang Menon to Managing Partner & Creative Head – West

Hashtag Orange, a fast‑growing Indian advertising agency, announced the promotion of Gaurang Menon to Managing Partner and Creative Head for its West operations. The move elevates Menon, who has driven award‑winning campaigns for major brands, to oversee both business development...

By Branding in Asia
Kraft Heinz Replaces North American President with Kellanova Exec
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Kraft Heinz Replaces North American President with Kellanova Exec

Kraft Heinz announced that former Kellanova leader Nicolas Amaya will replace Pedro Navio as president of its North American business, effective Feb. 22. The move follows CEO Steve Cahillane’s decision to pause a planned corporate break‑up and signals a renewed focus...

By Food Dive (Industry Dive)
Phil Hoffman to Lead New Mexico PBS
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Phil Hoffman to Lead New Mexico PBS

Phil Hoffman will assume the role of General Manager and CEO of New Mexico PBS on April 1, 2024, following the retirement of Franz Joachim on March 31. He will serve as co‑GM starting March 24 to ensure a smooth transition. Hoffman brings extensive...

By Current
Employ Inc. Appoints New CEO
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Employ Inc. Appoints New CEO

Employ Inc., a provider of people‑first intelligent hiring solutions, announced Jerry Jao as its new CEO. Jao, the founder of AI‑driven SaaS firm ReSci and former board member of FIGS, brings extensive experience scaling AI technology and strategic initiatives. Having...

By HRTechFeed
Davidson Hospitality Group Reorganizes Commercial Services Team
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Davidson Hospitality Group Reorganizes Commercial Services Team

Davidson Hospitality Group has reshaped its commercial services by promoting Patrick Broderick and Harry Carr to newly created senior vice‑president roles overseeing commercial optimization, while appointing Kathryn Collins as vice‑president of marketing. The reorganization consolidates sales, revenue management and marketing...

By Hotel Business
Why Knowing Your Purpose Matters More Than Having All The Answers
BlogFeb 18, 2026

Why Knowing Your Purpose Matters More Than Having All The Answers

Fifteen years ago the author accepted Guy Kawasaki’s invitation to record a podcast despite not having a show or a clear concept. Driven by a long‑standing purpose of helping leaders improve their craft, the first episode launched a series that...

By Tanveer Naseer
Liquidnet Appoints Michael Gibbons as Global Head of Listed Derivatives Business Development
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Liquidnet Appoints Michael Gibbons as Global Head of Listed Derivatives Business Development

Liquidnet announced the appointment of Michael Gibbons as Global Head of Listed Derivatives Business Development. Gibbons arrives from Morgan Stanley after more than a decade leading electronic futures sales and algorithmic execution initiatives. Based in New York, he will drive...

By Traders Magazine – Options/Derivatives
Nicole Brizan Joins Donohoe Hospitality Services
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Nicole Brizan Joins Donohoe Hospitality Services

Donohoe Hospitality Services has appointed Nicole Brizan as vice president of finance and accounting, tasking her with steering corporate and property‑level financial strategy for its hotel portfolio. Brizan brings more than two decades of hospitality accounting experience, most recently as...

By Hotel Business
How Stretch to Make KRs? How Will We Score and Update KR Progress? (3/10)
PodcastFeb 18, 20260 min

How Stretch to Make KRs? How Will We Score and Update KR Progress? (3/10)

In this episode Ben breaks down how to define, score, and track key results (KRs) within an OKR framework, emphasizing that objectives should not be scored and that the focus belongs on KRs. He compares three popular scoring models—Radical Focus,...

By OKRs.com
Retiring Cineplex CEO Ellis Jacob to Be Honored at CinemaCon
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Retiring Cineplex CEO Ellis Jacob to Be Honored at CinemaCon

Ellis Jacob, who has steered Canada’s Cineplex for 23 years, will receive Cinema United’s Legend of Cinema Award at CinemaCon in April. Under his leadership, Cineplex grew into the fourth‑largest theater chain in North America. Jacob also chaired Cinema United’s...

By The Wrap
[Industry News] PQube Appoints Games Industry Veteran Dominic Wheatley as Chairman
NewsFeb 18, 2026

[Industry News] PQube Appoints Games Industry Veteran Dominic Wheatley as Chairman

PQube, a leading UK games publisher, has appointed industry veteran Dominic Wheatley as Chairman. Wheatley co‑founded Eidos and launched iconic franchises such as Tomb Raider and Championship Manager. He previously steered the growth of Catalis, Kuju, Curve Games, Testronic and Blaze...

By MCV/Develop
Think RTO Is Harmless? Top Talent Disagrees
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Think RTO Is Harmless? Top Talent Disagrees

Top talent is pushing back against strict return‑to‑office (RTO) mandates, as highlighted by JPMorgan Chase employees fearing career repercussions for opposing the policy. Research from Gartner shows high‑performers, women and millennials are most likely to leave firms with rigid RTO,...

By Human Resource Executive
The $2 Trillion Blind Spot in Modern Rewards
NewsFeb 18, 2026

The $2 Trillion Blind Spot in Modern Rewards

Most organizations still tie rewards to individual output despite vocal support for collaboration. Gallup reports U.S. employee engagement at a 10‑year low of 31% in 2024, translating to roughly $2 trillion in lost productivity. Studies show high‑quality recognition can reduce turnover...

By Human Resource Executive
Amazon Alone Is Responsible for 52% of Tech Layoffs in 2026 so Far
BlogFeb 18, 2026

Amazon Alone Is Responsible for 52% of Tech Layoffs in 2026 so Far

Amazon has driven more than half of the roughly 30,000 tech layoffs recorded in 2026, after a single wave of 16,000 job cuts announced in late January. The cuts are part of a broader effort to flatten management layers, increase...

By LeadDev (independent publication)
True Career Power Comes From Sovereignty, Not Branding
SocialFeb 18, 2026

True Career Power Comes From Sovereignty, Not Branding

You don't need a better brand. You need Sovereignty. You can have a great personal brand and still feel like a passenger in your own career, waiting for permission, chasing recognition, tying your worth to a job title. Professional Sovereignty is the...

By Dr. HUME (Hume Johnson)
Why Mergers Fail and How to Spot Trouble Early
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Why Mergers Fail and How to Spot Trouble Early

M&A activity remains a high‑stakes gamble, with nearly half of large U.S. acquisitions eventually undone. A 27‑year study of 1,636 S&P 500 deals shows a 46% divestiture rate and an average ten‑year lag before breakup. Failures cluster around two patterns:...

By MIT Sloan Management Review
Control the Cape
BlogFeb 18, 2026

Control the Cape

The "Control the Cape" article uses a bullfighting metaphor to argue that leaders cannot command external forces such as politics, markets, or people, but they can master their own responses. It stresses shifting focus from futile control attempts to intentional...

By Leadership Freak
Why Most Projects Fail—And How to Achieve Better Outcomes
PodcastFeb 18, 202625 min

Why Most Projects Fail—And How to Achieve Better Outcomes

In this episode, Antonio Nieto‑Rodriguez explains why roughly two‑thirds of projects fail and outlines how organizations can improve outcomes. He emphasizes framing projects as strategic investments, aligning structures and incentives around a project‑centric model, and avoiding common pitfalls such as...

By HBR On Leadership
SPhotonix Makes Two Senior Appointments to Deliver Accelerated Growth
BlogFeb 18, 2026

SPhotonix Makes Two Senior Appointments to Deliver Accelerated Growth

SPhotonix, the pioneer of 5D Memory Crystal technology, announced two senior hires: Masaaki Sakakura as Principal Scientist and Konstantinas Zakalskis as Head of Growth. The appointments follow a $4.5 million pre‑seed round led by Creator Fund and XTX Ventures, positioning the startup for...

By StorageNewsletter
ARCO Appoints Commercial Aviation Head
NewsFeb 18, 2026

ARCO Appoints Commercial Aviation Head

ARCO National Construction announced the appointment of Scott Rightnowar as head of its commercial aviation division. Rightnowar will oversee national airport, airline, hangar, and MRO development programs, leveraging more than a decade of executive aviation and industrial real‑estate experience. His...

By Airports International
Every Great Tech Team Needs Vision, Design, Execution
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Every Great Tech Team Needs Vision, Design, Execution

Every iconic tech company follows the same pattern. I’ve seen it repeat again and again. → The visionary founder who bends reality → The designer who shapes taste and experience → The quiet engineer who makes it actually work Different names. Same archetypes. Apple had them. Tesla had...

By Pascal Bornet
Intellinetics, Inc. Appoints Alison Forsythe as President and CEO
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Intellinetics, Inc. Appoints Alison Forsythe as President and CEO

Intellinetics, a NYSE American‑listed digital transformation solutions provider, announced Alison Forsythe as its new President and Chief Executive Officer effective February 17, 2026. Forsythe brings over 20 years of SaaS and enterprise software leadership, most recently as CEO of AI‑powered...

By AI-TechPark
When Senior Leaders Are Asked To Carry Too Much
NewsFeb 18, 2026

When Senior Leaders Are Asked To Carry Too Much

Biopharma senior leaders are increasingly shouldering operational work left behind by downsizing, stretching their capacity beyond strategic duties. The overload fragments focus, slows decisions, and erodes communication, while burnout remains hidden behind continued presence. As pressure builds, the organization’s decision‑making...

By BioSpace
How to Get Buy-In For Your Idea: Tips to Seal the Deal
BlogFeb 18, 2026

How to Get Buy-In For Your Idea: Tips to Seal the Deal

The article outlines practical steps to move an idea from discussion to decision by focusing on stakeholder buy‑in. It stresses leading with clear value, translating expertise into simple language, and creating a “squeeze play” that engages multiple influencers. Anticipating objections...

By Let’s Grow Leaders
Katie Collin on Why Female Leadership in the Top 100 Is Sliding
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Katie Collin on Why Female Leadership in the Top 100 Is Sliding

In this episode, Nikita Alexander talks with Ramsay Brown Partner Katie Collin about the recent drop in female leadership within the UK’s Top 100 firms, now down to just 12 % at senior levels. Collin attributes the decline to cyclical workload pressures that...

By Accountancy Age
Lessons From Firefox and Twitter - Alan Byrne (Product Leader, Mozilla)
PodcastFeb 18, 202636 min

Lessons From Firefox and Twitter - Alan Byrne (Product Leader, Mozilla)

Alan Byrne, Mozilla’s Firefox extensions product leader, argues that effective product work relies on judgment rather than rigid frameworks, critiquing tools like RICE and MoSCoW for masking subjectivity. Drawing on his stints at QuickBooks and Twitter, he explains when lean...

By The Product Experience (Mind the Product)
TheKey’s CEO Plots Home Health Expansion
NewsFeb 18, 2026

TheKey’s CEO Plots Home Health Expansion

TheKey, a Delray, Florida‑based home‑care provider, is moving to add private‑pay nursing services in four new states, aiming for a total of six states by the end of 2026. The company is finalizing licensure for the southern half of California...

By Home Health Care News
Media33 Appoints Ex-Spark Foundry Managing Director Pete Butler to Managing Partner Role
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Media33 Appoints Ex-Spark Foundry Managing Director Pete Butler to Managing Partner Role

Media33 announced the appointment of Pete Butler, former Managing Director of Spark Foundry, as its new Managing Partner effective 1 March 2026. Butler will collaborate with the executive team to drive the agency’s next growth phase, enhance client partnerships, and boost strategic and...

By Campaign Brief
The Multifamily Operations Tip of the Day: Dashboards Don’t Run Properties
BlogFeb 18, 2026

The Multifamily Operations Tip of the Day: Dashboards Don’t Run Properties

Multifamily operators are reminded that dashboards are analytical tools, not decision‑makers. While dashboards can surface trends, flag anomalies, and aid prioritization, they cannot assess resident nuance, emotion, or context. The article warns leaders against outsourcing judgment to data alone, emphasizing...

By Multifamily Collective (Apartment Hacker)
Cruising the Startup Ocean: Navigating Limits without Slowing Down
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Cruising the Startup Ocean: Navigating Limits without Slowing Down

The article reflects on how early‑stage startups thrive by compressing timelines that would take months in corporate settings into days, driven by a CEO’s relentless vision. It highlights examples such as accelerating a certification from three months to a week...

By e27
Specify AI Skills, Processes, and Problems, Not Vague Demands
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Specify AI Skills, Processes, and Problems, Not Vague Demands

Leaders, telling people they need “AI skills” is vague. What specific skills are helpful? What specific processes are you replacing with AI automation? What specific problems will AI solve in your organization? There are a lot of tools out there, and no...

By Julia Rock
Customer Obsession Turned $6M Into $5B
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Customer Obsession Turned $6M Into $5B

Coach went from $6M to $5B because Lew Frankfort focused on one thing: Customer obsession. Function. Difference. Emotion. That’s brand power. #Branding #Leadership https://t.co/dSE0pXRsTs

By Kaihan Krippendorff
Clemenger BBDO Melbourne Seeks New CCO After Psembi Kinstan Departs
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Clemenger BBDO Melbourne Seeks New CCO After Psembi Kinstan Departs

Melbourne’s Clemenger BBDO is searching for a new chief creative officer after Psembi Kinstan accepted a role at 72andSunny in the Netherlands. Kinstan, who rose to CCO following DDB’s merger into Clemenger BBDO, was lauded by co‑CEO Mike Napolitano as...

By Mumbrella Australia
Value Over Novelty: Prioritize Meaningful Innovation
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Value Over Novelty: Prioritize Meaningful Innovation

Not all innovation is good. Just because something is new doesn't mean it's better. Focus on meaningful innovation that truly adds value rather than chasing every new trend.

By Gale Wilkinson
Spot Red Flags in Discovery Calls, Move On
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Spot Red Flags in Discovery Calls, Move On

Founders: Discovery call warning signs: 🚩 Vague answers about current challenges 🚩 'Need to talk to my boss' responses 🚩 No current spend on similar solutions 🚩 'No rush' timeline signals 🚩 Deflects all pricing questions Seeing 2+ flags? Move on to better opportunities.

By Pete Kazanjy
Too Many Initiatives, Not Enough Alignment: A Change Management Playbook for Leaders
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Too Many Initiatives, Not Enough Alignment: A Change Management Playbook for Leaders

The session led by Dr. Terra Greenwell, former Chief Academic Officer of Jefferson County Public Schools, tackles the problem of initiative overload in K‑12 districts. Attendees will learn how to evaluate every tool, program, and purchase against a clear strategic...

By Education Week (Technology section)
Adaptability Fuels AI Revolution: Build Windmills, Not Walls
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Adaptability Fuels AI Revolution: Build Windmills, Not Walls

Build Windmills, Not Walls: Michael Gerstenzang Cleary Gottlieb’s managing partner until last month, Gerstenzang shares insights about the importance of adaptability, the AI revolution, and more. LINK: https://t.co/vXUH338qAL https://t.co/SZIJHMLcnA

By David Lat
Optimistic AI Startups Can Disrupt the Doomsday Narrative
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Optimistic AI Startups Can Disrupt the Doomsday Narrative

So many doomsday predictions from the biggest AI players...who also need to justify massive capex. If you're a startup with a more optimistic and nuanced take on the future of work, this is your opportunity. The dominant narrative is ripe...

By Ashley Mayer
Dennis Giokas Now CPO at Alifor
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Dennis Giokas Now CPO at Alifor

Dennis Giokas has been appointed chief product officer at Alifor, a Toronto‑based clinical operating system that integrates AI scribes, decision support and workflow tools. Giokas will steer product development, integration strategy and the global rollout of Alifor’s EMR‑agnostic platform. He...

By Canadian Healthcare Technology
Roku Hires Former Snap, Meta Exec to Lead Ads
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Roku Hires Former Snap, Meta Exec to Lead Ads

Roku taps Patrick Harris, a veteran of Snap and Meta, to run advertising sales.... https://t.co/0mYOElGbjg via @variety

By Brian Steinberg
Sarandos Accuses Paramount of Misinformation as WBD Negotiates Rival Deal
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Sarandos Accuses Paramount of Misinformation as WBD Negotiates Rival Deal

Ted Sarandos Slams Paramount for ‘Flooding the Zone With Misinformation’ as Warner Bros. Discovery Initiates New Talks With Rival Suitor https://t.co/rpsvBCV0vj via @variety

By Todd Spangler