Global Lighthouse Voices: A Talk with CITIC Dicastal’s Badr Lahmoudi
CITIC Dicastal’s Morocco plant has become Africa’s first member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Lighthouse Network, showcasing a comprehensive digital transformation. The site deployed a pioneering vision‑based casting system that reduces new‑product setup time from weeks to six minutes, while AI‑driven controls cut gas consumption and enable 100% green electricity from wind. Workforce numbers swelled from under 400 to over 1,800, with 95% local hires trained and retained through structured career paths. The plant also targets full carbon neutrality by 2050, recycling nearly all aluminum and water, positioning it as a benchmark for sustainable manufacturing on the continent.
James Harold Webb on Why Resilience and Systems Are Redefining Sustainable Franchise Leadership
James Harold Webb argues that franchise resilience, not sheer speed of expansion, determines long‑term success. Drawing on his ownership of Scenthound and Orangetheory Fitness, he stresses that repeatable systems, clear leadership standards, and consistent customer experiences are essential across brands...
A CEO Transition at HSF Affiliates; Compass Exec Promoted
HomeServices announced that Jason Waugh will succeed Vince Leisey as CEO of HSF Affiliates in a planned 2027 transition, bringing his franchise and insurance experience back to the Berkshire Hathaway network. Compass International Holdings promoted Cory Perkins to president of integrated...
Elon Musk’s Last-Ditch Effort to Control OpenAI: Recruit Sam Altman to Tesla
Elon Musk tried to lure OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to Tesla in early 2018, offering him a seat on Tesla’s board and the chance to lead a "world‑class AI lab" within the automaker. The recruitment pitch surfaced during the Musk...
Comings & Goings
Savills has reshuffled its leadership, appointing Ben Hunt as head of the Brook Green office and moving Paul Christian to lead its residential team in Cirencester. The firm highlighted Hunt’s 25‑year local market experience as a catalyst for strengthening its...
Executive Director— Springboard for the Arts
Springboard for the Arts, a Minnesota‑based artist‑led economic development nonprofit, is launching a search for a new Executive Director as its current leader shifts to head the newly independent Creative Change Coalition. The organization manages an operating budget exceeding $5 million...
'On the Precipice': Is Your Organization Close to a Culture Collapse?
A Cambridge University study warns that corporate culture in large, complex firms behaves like a fragile public good, teetering on a critical edge. Even modest disruptions—such as a merger, CEO turnover, or rapid workforce shifts—can trigger an abrupt collapse in...
RISKWORLD 2026: Chatting with Lucy Pilko, CEO Americas, AXA XL
Lucy Pilko, CEO of AXA XL Americas, highlighted the firm’s shift toward a client‑centric operating model, emphasizing deeper collaboration and tailored solutions. She announced the launch of two new businesses—mid‑market and wholesale—to broaden the carrier’s market reach and diversify revenue....
Rio Tinto Boss Pushes Cost Cuts with Jobs in Focus
Rio Tinto CEO Simon Trott reaffirmed a push for billions of dollars in cost reductions, asset sales and productivity gains, aiming to unlock $5‑$10 billion from the company’s portfolio. Since taking the helm in August, the miner has already delivered $650 million...
Enabled by AI, NGA Director Focused on Mission, Transformation, and Workforce
The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) unveiled an AI‑driven strategy built on three lines of effort—mission, transformation, and workforce—at the GEOINT Symposium. Director Lt. Gen. Michelle Bredenkamp tied the plan to the National Defense Strategy, stressing rapid, precise geospatial intelligence for...
VPA Veteran McCoy Tapped as CEO of Port of Virginia
Sarah McCoy, a 12‑year veteran of the Virginia Port Authority, has been appointed CEO of the Port of Virginia, the sixth‑largest U.S. container port by volume. She previously served as interim CEO and executive director since January, succeeding Stephen Edwards...
Why the AI-Workforce Dilemma Looks Different for Health System CEOs
CEOs are split between cutting jobs or using AI to make existing staff do more, with no near‑term hiring plans. While tech firms like Coinbase are slashing headcount, many health system leaders are choosing the opposite path, leveraging AI to...
Albany Med Taps Chief of Staff
Albany Med Health System has named Dr. Brittany Sheehy senior vice president and chief of staff. She will report to President and CEO Dan Pickett and help drive the system’s ambition to be the region’s first‑choice provider by 2030. Sheehy...
Greene, Slagle Take On New Roles At Food City
Food City announced two senior leadership moves in its Knoxville division. Joe Greene, a Knoxville native with over 45 years in retail, was promoted to executive vice president of operations, taking charge of 51 stores. Bucky Slagle, who has served...
Three Bankers Lead Pack to Replace Lagarde at ECB
European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde may exit before her October 2027 mandate ends, though no decision has been confirmed. An early departure would give French President Emmanuel Macron significant sway over the successor selection. Three central‑bank veterans – Germany's...
AI Can Make Work More Meaningful
A recent Gallup poll shows AI boosts productivity while employee engagement has slipped to a historic low of 20% for a second consecutive year. CEOs argue that AI’s true value lies in freeing time for work that matters, not merely...
FanDuel CEO Pushed Out After Five Years Amid Stock Slump
Amy Howe, who led FanDuel’s sportsbook since 2021, was removed after five years and will be succeeded by president Christian Genetski, though the permanence of the appointment remains unclear. The change was announced just before Flutter Entertainment’s first‑quarter earnings call,...
How NASA’s Chief Plans to Bring Back the Moonwalk — And Beat China
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman outlined a renewed push to land astronauts on the Moon by 2027, leveraging the Artemis III mission and a $10 billion budget boost. He emphasized building an enduring lunar presence, a demand signal for 30 landers and...
Only One of Berkshire Hathaway and SoftBank Can Survive
Two of the world’s most iconic conglomerates—Berkshire Hathaway and SoftBank Group—embody opposite visions of capitalism. Berkshire, steered by Warren Buffett, leans on disciplined value investing and steady cash‑flow businesses, while SoftBank, led by Masayoshi Son, pursues aggressive tech bets and...
The Meeting That Kills Internal Email (And Why You Should Add It Before Any AI Tool)
A CPA in Austin was drowning in internal emails, prompting a shift from inbox management to structural change. By instituting a 15‑minute daily standup, her team halted most internal questions, slashing email volume by roughly 25 messages per day. Adding...
NetApp Hires Former Microsoft Exec To Help Global Partners Expand Cloud, AI: Exclusive
NetApp announced the appointment of Alvaro Celis, a former Microsoft veteran, as its chief partner and ecosystem officer. Celis will lead the Worldwide Partner Organization, tasked with expanding the company’s global channel ecosystem, modernizing incentive programs, and driving revenue through...
LifeScan Announces Appointment of Jonathan Salkin as Chief Executive Officer
LifeScan, a leading blood‑glucose monitoring company, announced Jonathan Salkin as its new chief executive officer, effective immediately. Salkin succeeds co‑interim CEOs Michael Hooks and James Rushing, who will remain chairman of the board and CFO/executive vice president, respectively. The appointment...
Lockheed Taps Former F-22 Pilot to Lead Aeronautics Division
Lockheed Martin has named former F‑22 pilot O.J. Sanchez as president of its Aeronautics division, succeeding retiring executive Greg Ulmer. The division, a $30 billion business employing more than 35,000 people, oversees the massive F‑35 program, which delivered a record 191...
BioShock, Game Prices, GTA, the Disappearing NFL Deal and More: An Interview with Take Two CEO Strauss Zelnick
In a rare interview, Take‑Two Interactive chairman Strauss Zelnick addressed a wide‑ranging set of topics, from the current status of the BioShock franchise to the escalating costs of game development. He confirmed that the company’s multi‑game licensing agreement with the...
Mira Murati Tells the Court that She Couldn’t Trust Sam Altman’s Words
Mira Murati, OpenAI’s former CTO, testified under oath that CEO Sam Altman lied about a new AI model’s safety clearance, claiming legal approval that never existed. Her deposition, shown in the Musk v Altman trial, revealed a clash between Altman and chief...
Claude Sarrailh, CEO of Ahold Delhaize Europe & Indonesia, to Depart
Ahold Delhaize announced that Claude Sarrailh, CEO of its Europe & Indonesia division, will depart to become chief executive of Italian retailer Esselunga, with a six‑month notice period. Sarrailh, who joined Ahold Delhaize in 2024 from Metro, has been credited...
Climate Data Firm Risilience Elevates Former S&P, Moody’s Exec to CEO
Risilience, the UK‑based climate and nature data firm, announced that Chief Product Officer Angela Brown will succeed founder Andrew Coburn as CEO, while Coburn moves to the chairmanship. Brown brings a decade of product leadership from S&P Global and Moody’s,...
Atlassian Billionaire Boss, Now Solo, Faces His Biggest Test Yet
Mike Cannon‑Brookes, now the sole leader of Atlassian after co‑founder Scott Farquhar stepped back, confronts the company’s steepest challenge yet. Over the past 12 months Atlassian’s shares have tumbled 70% to US$57 as investors fear AI‑generated alternatives could erode demand...
PayPal Is Slashing 20% of Its Workforce as New CEO Unveils Turnaround Plan
PayPal announced a restructuring that will eliminate roughly 20% of its workforce, about 4,760 jobs, over the next two to three years. The cuts are part of a $1.5 billion run‑rate savings program unveiled by new CEO Alex Lores, who took...
The CEO Behind Grand Theft Auto VI Doesn’t Play Video Games, but Analysts Say He Has Put $1.5 Billion Behind...
Take‑Two Interactive’s CEO Strauss Zelnick, who doesn’t play video games, has steered the company’s share price up 1,600% to $216 and boosted net revenue to $5.6 billion in 2025. Under his leadership, the firm is gearing up for the release of...
Rajeev Singh Rejoins Yokohama ATG as CHRO
Yokohama ATG announced the appointment of Rajeev Singh as its chief human resources officer, effective April 20, 2026. Based in Mumbai, Singh will head the company’s global HR function across India, the United States and Europe. He returns to the...
Fiserv Moves Through ‘Transition Year’
Fiserv announced a wave of senior hires, including a COO for merchant solutions and a CRO for its Clover POS unit, as part of a “transition year” aimed at reversing low single‑digit revenue growth. The company also closed two offices,...
Industry Veteran Mike Guarino Named CEO of EVERSANA INTOUCH
EVERSANA announced that industry veteran Mike Guarino will serve as CEO of its global health agency, EVERSANA INTOUCH. Guarino, formerly chief commercial officer at IPG Health and a longtime strategist at FCB Health, will steer strategy, operations and AI‑driven marketing...
Integra Reappoints Stuart Essig as CEO
Integra LifeSciences announced the reappointment of former chief executive Stuart Essig, ending the brief tenure of Mojdeh Poul. Essig returns after a 14‑year gap and will be supported by newly created chief commercial officer Michael McBreen. The leadership team says...
Why AI Strategy Belongs in the President's Office
Higher education leaders recognize AI as strategic, yet only 22% have campus‑wide strategies. The article cites Educause’s 2025 AI Landscape Study showing 57% view AI as a priority, but most adopt ad‑hoc solutions. Without presidential ownership, AI projects fragment across...
PLM Announces Key Leadership Moves and Promotions
Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual Insurance Company (PLM) announced a slate of executive changes, promoting Steve Firko to president while John K. Smith remains CEO. Firko, a two‑decade PLM veteran, will oversee claims, accounting, regulatory, HR and IT functions. The company also...
Vulnerability Is a Leadership Quality
Recent research highlights vulnerability as a strategic leadership quality, showing that managers who disclose personal challenges foster authenticity and trust. A 2025 study found that 49% of employees withhold critical information out of fear of retaliation, a barrier that self‑disclosure...
EcoNavis Appoints Neil Logan as Executive Chair
EcoNavis Solutions has promoted long‑time advisor Neil Logan to Executive Chair, moving him from an advisory role that began after the company’s university spin‑out in August 2025 into a full‑time executive position. Logan, who previously held senior roles at Lockheed Martin,...
Ahold Delhaize President and CEO Frans Muller to Retire
Ahold Delhaize announced that President and CEO Frans Muller will retire in 2027, with Thierry Garnier, currently Kingfisher’s chief executive, slated to take over around the April 2027 shareholders’ meeting. Garnier, a former Carrefour executive and non‑executive director at Tesco, brings two decades...
When Reputation Becomes Operational: Lessons From the Mandelson Vetting Scandal
The Peter Mandelson vetting controversy illustrates how reputational risk has become an operational imperative. Rapid public scrutiny led to the dismissal of a senior civil servant and forced urgent reviews of the appointment process. The episode shows that traditional, siloed...
The Strategy Trap: Why Your Best Plan Is Failing to Launch
Most SMEs craft detailed strategies and secure board and investor buy‑in, yet months later progress remains sluggish. The article argues the failure lies not in the plan itself but in the post‑approval phase where focus erodes, dashboards become overloaded, and...
Priyavrata Mafatlal Appointed as CEO of Mafatlal Industries
Mafatlal Industries Limited appointed Priyavrata Mafatlal as chief executive officer effective June 1, 2026, while he continues as managing director. The textile maker posted a total income of Rs 2,845.3 crore (≈$299 million) in FY 2024‑25, a 33% jump from the prior year. The change follows...
Orior Names Ex-Migros Exec New CEO
Swiss food‑and‑drinks group Orior announced that Dr. Peter Müller, a former Migros executive who led the Mibelle carve‑out and sale, will become CEO on 1 September, succeeding Monika Friedli‑Walser. Müller brings extensive experience in transformation, restructuring and cross‑border M&A, aligning with...
Humility, Agility—Keys to Unlocking HR Greatness in the Age of AI
MetLife’s CHRO Shurawl Sibblies argues that HR greatness in the AI era hinges on humility, active listening, and transparent communication. She stresses that employees’ fear of AI‑driven layoffs can be mitigated by openly sharing what is known—and unknown—about AI’s impact....
Yoco Brings in External CEO From European Fintech Sector
South African payments fintech Yoco announced that Carsten Höltkemeyer will become its chief executive on 1 June 2026, ending a nine‑month interim co‑CEO period. Höltkemeyer arrives from a European banking and fintech background, most recently steering Berlin‑based Solaris through a turnaround and...
How Sales Teams Undercut Themselves with Longtime Clients
A large industrial manufacturer discovered a multimillion‑dollar project had gone unpaid for three years because its sales teams operated in silos, each negotiating separate contracts and making premature concessions. The fragmented approach let the client aggregate discounts and delay payments,...
Research: Why You Shouldn’t Treat AI Agents Like Employees
A new randomized study of 1,261 managers shows that treating AI systems as employees rather than tools harms accountability, error detection and professional identity. When AI is framed as an employee, personal accountability drops 9 points, escalation requests rise 44%,...
Marriott CHROs Answer 7 Questions Every HR Leader Is Asking
At HR Tech Europe 2026, Marriott International’s CHROs Francisca Martinez and Kris Dunn fielded seven pressing HR questions, revealing a hybrid approach to technology that blends global suite platforms with best‑of‑breed solutions. They stressed that AI agents will only deliver...
I Gave Our Developers an AI Coding Assistant. The Security Team Nearly Mutinied
A technology leader approved an AI coding assistant to relieve developers from repetitive tasks, but the security team reacted strongly, fearing uncontrolled code generation. The tool can draft tests, explain legacy code, and suggest refactors, yet it raises questions about...
The CEO of Trek Bicycle Reads 52 Books a Year, Hates Smartphones, and Thinks Milton Friedman Was Wrong
John Burke, who has led Trek Bicycle for nearly three decades, emphasizes purpose over profit, citing the company’s pioneering support for women’s cycling as a legacy marker. Despite a post‑COVID market slump that left sales dashboards red and forced layoffs,...