What Apple’s CEO Transition Got Right And Why Most Boards Overlook This Lesson
Apple’s orderly handoff from Tim Cook to John Ternus is being hailed as a model of CEO succession, but the smooth public announcement masks years of disciplined pipeline building, cultural oversight, and candid board‑CEO dialogue. The article argues that most boards treat succession as a reactive event, whereas Apple treated it as a continuous discipline. By auditing selection criteria, governing culture like financials, and maintaining honest relationships with the CEO, Apple created a pipeline that delivered a seamless transition. The piece warns that without this unseen work, most companies will continue to stumble at the announcement stage.
David Lomelí Named General Director & CEO of the Dallas Opera
The Dallas Opera announced that David Lomelí will assume the role of Kern Wildenthal General Director and CEO on June 1, 2026, succeeding Ian Derrer. Lomelí brings a decade of senior artistic experience at Dallas Opera, plus recent leadership at Santa Fe Opera and...
The Rebuild That Took Our Family Business From Shutdown To $80 Million
A family‑owned accounting firm faced total shutdown during the pandemic but rebuilt itself as an AI‑first powerhouse, now generating roughly $80 million in annual revenue. Leveraging Aprio’s AI‑driven platform, the company streamlined bookkeeping, reduced labor costs, and accelerated client onboarding. The...
Decision-Making Speed Is a Hidden Constraint on Transformation Success
Large‑scale SAP transformations often hit a hidden bottleneck: decision latency. While technical work stays on schedule, cross‑functional decisions on data ownership, process exceptions, and cutover sequencing stretch from weeks to months, forcing teams to rely on assumptions and informal workarounds....
Women Who Inspire and Elevate 2026
The Conference Board’s "Women Who Inspire and Elevate 2026" report reveals how senior women executives are actively reshaping corporate leadership. Drawing on in‑depth interviews with ten senior women across multiple sectors, the study shows their influence drives policy revisions, cultural...
What Ancient Greece and India Can Teach CEOs About Leading in an Age of AI and Uncertainty
Modern CEOs are grappling with AI‑driven disruption that accelerates data flow while eroding employee engagement. A new book highlights how ancient Greek logic and Indian introspection together offer a blueprint for balancing external analytics with internal wisdom. Leaders who fuse...
James D. Rhodes: Building Success with Discipline and Focus
James D. Rhodes, a San Antonio‑based executive, builds his reputation on disciplined, steady work rather than quick wins. He emphasizes consistency, clear communication, and practical problem‑solving to deliver reliable results over time. Rhodes leads quietly, setting clear goals and trusting...
People News From Virginia Port Authority, HDR and Koppers
Virginia Port Authority’s board unanimously appointed Sarah McCoy as its new CEO after she served as general counsel, chief administrative officer, and interim CEO. McCoy led the $1.4 billion Gateway Investment Program and renegotiated the Virginia International Gateway lease, positioning the port...
Rent the Runway Co-Founder Jennifer Hyman Steps Down as CEO
Rent the Runway co‑founder Jennifer Hyman announced she will step down as CEO, president, and board member after 18 years at the helm. Former Nordstrom chief merchant Teri Bariquit, who joined the RTR board in October 2025, will assume the role of...
Lloyd Blankfein Just Put His Finger on Why Even Goldman Sachs Is Wary of AI Agents
Former Goldman Sachs chairman Lloyd Blankfein warned that the biggest danger of AI agents isn’t superintelligence but the inability to verify their outputs. He highlighted how autonomous software can execute tens of thousands of transactions in milliseconds, amplifying errors as...
Finding Balance During Leadership Transitions
Chief Executive’s latest piece explores how CEOs and boards can maintain operational stability while navigating leadership transitions. It highlights the tension between preserving day‑to‑day performance and introducing fresh strategic direction. The article outlines practical steps—clear communication, interim stewardship, and cultural...
The Qualities that Get Managers Promoted Are the Reasons People Don’t Like Them
A new Hogan Assessments report reveals a stark disconnect between the traits that propel managers to senior roles and the qualities employees deem essential for effective leadership. While executives are distinguished by confidence, competitiveness, visibility and self‑promotion, staff prioritize clear...
Harmony Healthcare IT Appoints Brian Liddell as CEO Succeeding Founder Tom Liddell
Harmony Healthcare IT announced that Brian Liddell will assume the role of chief executive officer on April 30, 2026, succeeding founder Tom Liddell, who will become chairman of the board. Brian previously served as president and chief financial officer, overseeing...
New Apple, LinkedIn Leaders Prove Next CEO Should Already Be Working for You
Apple and LinkedIn have each appointed long‑time insiders—John Ternus and Daniel Shapero—as their next CEOs, underscoring a deliberate shift toward internal succession. Both leaders highlighted AI‑driven transformation and a commitment to maintaining strong workplace culture. The announcements were framed as...
Building Stronger Teams Through Better Leadership
On May 20 at 10:30 am CST, Alain Hunkins and BNP Media’s Bob Garrison will host a virtual leadership webinar for food‑and‑beverage manufacturers. The session promises practical tactics to combat disengaged talent, unclear expectations, and siloed teams, drawing on Hunkins’ "Cracking...
Leadership Beyond Marketing: Sarthak Seth Joins The Marketing Academy’s Global Fellowship
The Marketing Academy announced the second cohort of its Global Fellowship Programme for 2026, selecting 21 senior leaders worldwide, including Sarthak Seth, Senior Vice President and Chief Sales & Marketing Officer at Tata Realty & Infrastructure Ltd. Delivered with McKinsey,...
Bryan Harris: Building Trust in Workforce Is the First Step to Building Trust in AI
At SAS Innovate 2026, EVP and CTO Bryan Harris warned that AI adoption stalls unless leaders first earn trust from their workforce. He highlighted SAS’s deterministic analytics platform as a competitive edge for regulated sectors such as life sciences, finance and...
Sam Altman May Start a New Compute Company
Sam Altman is reportedly considering the launch of a new artificial‑intelligence compute company. The venture would be primarily funded through a fresh fundraising round and would be majority‑owned by OpenAI while operating independently of its core product line. Sources say...
Cynthia Zhang Elevated to CEO of PHD China
Omnicom Media’s PHD agency has elevated Cynthia Zhang to CEO of its China operation. Zhang, a former COO with more than two decades in media and marketing, has been with PHD since 2021 and is credited with deepening client relationships...
AWS’ Rianne Van Veldhuizen Steps Away From A/NZ Role
Amazon Web Services’ Australia‑New Zealand vice‑president Rianne van Veldhuizen announced she is leaving her role after five years, handing the reins to Chris Casey. During the AWS Sydney Summit she highlighted AWS’s $20 billion Australian and $7.5 billion New Zealand investments—roughly $13 billion and $4.5 billion USD—alongside...
At the WICT Signature Awards Luncheon
At the WICT Network Signature Awards Luncheon in New York, new President and CEO Tracy Pitcher debuted, emphasizing people‑centric leadership. The ceremony honored the 2026 Women of the Year—NBCUniversal’s Karen Kovacs, AMC Global Media’s Stephanie Mitchko, and Sinch Emergency Services’...
Mayo Clinic to Undergo Leadership Transition, Honoring Dr. Gianrico Farrugia’s Transformational Impact
Mayo Clinic announced a leadership transition, with longtime CEO Dr. Gianrico Farrugia stepping down after five years to become chair of the board. Dr. John Noseworthy will assume the chief executive role on July 1, 2026. Farrugia’s tenure is credited...
Five Key Takeaways From Day One of the WWD Beauty CEO Summit
The inaugural day of the 2026 WWD Beauty CEO Summit in Palm Beach highlighted a sweeping call for relentless innovation across the beauty sector. Executives from SharkNinja, Ulta Beauty and Estée Lauder underscored growth targets, with SharkNinja projecting $7 billion in revenue...
FDA’s Leadership Shakeup Elevates Food Program Insider Amid Questions over Science, Staffing and MAHA Influence
FDA Commissioner Marty Makary resigned abruptly, paving the way for Deputy Commissioner for Food Kyle Diamantas to become acting commissioner. Diamantas, who has overseen the Human Foods Program since February 2025, steps into the role amid concerns about political pressure...
Leaders, Not Every Decision Deserves Your Attention. This Simple Framework Tells You Which Ones Actually Do.
The article introduces a simple decision‑making framework that classifies choices as either one‑way or two‑way doors. Two‑way doors are reversible and should be delegated for rapid execution, while one‑way doors are high‑stakes and merit broader discussion. By separating decisions this...
Jim Mahoney Promoted to New Chief Membership Officer Role at Merlin
Merlin, the global digital‑music licensing cooperative for independent labels, announced on May 12 that longtime executive Jim Mahoney has been promoted to the newly created Chief Membership Officer role. Mahoney, who joined Merlin in 2014 and most recently served as SVP of...
NCA Appoints Abbott VP Of Membership, Business Development
The National Confectioners Association (NCA) named Carrie Abbott as vice president of membership and business development. Abbott, who founded Newfangled Confections and created the award‑winning Frittle Candy, also served two terms on the NCA Board of Trustees. In her new...
Why Great Founders Know When to Step Back
Great founders often step back sooner than expected, recognizing that sustainable growth hinges on strong teams. Sam Calagione, founder of Dogfish Head, attributes the brewery’s rise to hiring complementary talent and granting them autonomy. The article argues that early delegation...
This 1 Manager Trait Is Secretly Killing Your Team’s Productivity, According to New Research on ‘Knowledge Theft’
A new study on "knowledge theft" reveals that managers who claim credit for subordinates’ ideas dramatically undermine morale and productivity. The research shows that stolen credit triggers anger, erodes trust, and can lead employees to withhold critical information or leave...
The AI Skill Your Company Needs Most Is Agency
Employees are already grappling with AI, and 60% of American workers fear it will eliminate more jobs than it creates. Yet PwC’s survey shows that daily users of generative AI enjoy higher pay, stronger job security, and greater productivity. The...
City and Guilds Foundation Appoints First Permanent Chief
Ben Blackledge, former chief of WorldSkills UK, has been appointed the first permanent chief executive of the City and Guilds Foundation. He will transition to the role after overseeing the UK’s participation in WorldSkills Shanghai, succeeding interim chief Mike Adamson....
Lasting Loyalty: Why ‘Unreasonable Hospitality’ Wins
Unreasonable hospitality, a philosophy championed by restaurateur Will Guidara, turns service failures into loyalty‑building moments. By applying the Peak‑End Rule, companies that respond to mistakes with swift apologies, ownership, empathy, and a generous gesture can double repeat visits, quadruple frequency,...
AI Is a Leadership Problem, Not a Technology Problem
Todd James argues that AI’s biggest obstacle is not technology but leadership. Executives are investing in pilots and models but often cannot show a direct impact on the profit and loss statement. He identifies three critical levers—P&L relevance, decision‑making velocity,...
Kevin Hart’s $650 Million Media Empire Is Shrinking — Here’s What Went Wrong
Kevin Hart’s media venture Hartbeat, once valued at $650 million in 2022, is now being bought out by the comedian as investors exit. The company expanded to New York, Atlanta and a 40,000‑square‑foot West Hollywood office, but a slump in Hollywood...
I Started Mentoring Young People. It Transformed My Business — Here’s How.
Entrepreneurial founder shares how mentoring young professionals transformed his leadership and business. By regularly explaining decisions to mentees, he clarified his own strategic thinking and improved judgment. The fresh perspectives of younger talent expanded his long‑term vision and kept the...
RIA Edge Podcast: Building ‘Summit 2.0’ with Randy Morris
Summit Wealth Group announced the launch of "Summit 2.0," an independent RIA platform that separates the firm from its 20‑year broker‑dealer affiliation. Founder and CEO Randy Morris cited greater autonomy, a client‑centric experience, and long‑term growth as drivers, supported by a...
Why Leadership Changes Often Backfire
Katherine Klein, a Wharton professor, discusses new research on leadership succession based on a large‑scale study of U.S. public schools. The findings show that new leaders have a brief, high‑impact window—typically the first six months—where their actions shape employee attitudes...
Great Company Culture Is More Than Creating a Nice Place to Work
Stanford and Berkeley professors Glenn Carroll and Jennifer Chatman released *Making Organizational Culture Great*, a research‑backed guide that debunks common myths about corporate culture. They argue culture is a hard, controllable lever—not a soft perk—and show how leaders like Alan...
Orbia Honored by Ragan for Storytelling Excellence as Chief People Officer Deb Butters Is Recognized Among Top Women in HR
Orbia was honored with Ragan’s 2026 Employee Communications Storytelling award for its global “Generations of Impact” campaign, which engaged employees and families through a storybook and worldwide artwork contest. The initiative attracted more than 500 creative submissions and culminated in...
Is Heidi O’Neill Exactly What Lululemon Needs?
Heidi O’Neill, a 30‑year Nike veteran who oversaw women’s apparel and DTC operations, has been named Lululemon’s new CEO. The appointment sparked mixed reactions, with analysts questioning her lack of CEO experience and founder Chip Wilson expressing disappointment. Lululemon’s shares...
Maestro PMS Announces Adam Wilson As President, Reinforcing Its Focus on Innovation and Customer Experience
Maestro PMS announced Adam Wilson as President of its Fullsteam PMS vertical, tasked with advancing the platform’s usability and growth. Wilson brings deep SaaS, customer‑success, and hospitality experience, positioning Maestro to accelerate integrations and embed AI‑driven guest insights. His immediate...
Study: Stress, Drained Coffers Threaten NPO Programs
The Center of Effective Philanthropy’s State of Nonprofits 2026 report, based on a survey of 380 U.S. nonprofit leaders, reveals a sector under severe strain. Seventy‑three percent say demand for services has surged while 90 percent report personal burnout, and...
BlockchAIn Appoints Christopher Iannacone to Lead Execution of AI Data Center Conversion
BlockchAIn Digital Infrastructure announced the appointment of Christopher Iannacone as Director of Construction Execution to oversee the conversion of its utility‑backed mining sites into purpose‑built AI and high‑performance computing data centers. Iannacone brings more than 25 years of mission‑critical engineering...
The Leadership Skills That Make Transformation Stick
More than 70% of corporate transformations fall short, draining talent, optimism, and shareholder value. Julia Dhar of BCG argues that the missing piece is not strategy alone but the behavioral "how" of change—aligning incentives, removing barriers, and shaping emotions....
5 Rookie Mistakes That Could Get You Fired as a First-Time CEO
First‑time CEOs often stumble on five common pitfalls that can shorten their tenure. These include unclear priorities, reluctance to delegate, poor personal boundaries, weak board relationships, and operating in isolation. The article draws on executive‑coach experience to illustrate how each...
Ouai Names Susan Kim CEO
Ouai, the Procter & Gamble‑owned hair‑care label founded by celebrity stylist Jen Atkin, announced Susan Kim as its new chief executive effective May 19. Kim, who led Kopari and held senior roles at Huda Beauty and Benefit Cosmetics, will steer the...
Delivery Hero Chief to Step Down Amid Activist Pressure
Delivery Hero’s chief executive, Niklas Östberg, announced his resignation after mounting pressure from activist investor Cevian Capital, which has called for a strategic review and cost reductions. The board appointed the company’s CFO as interim chief executive while a permanent...
Havas Play UK Makes Three Senior Appointments in ‘Culture-First’ Bid
Havas Play UK announced three senior hires as part of a "culture‑first" strategy aimed at deepening its creative relevance. Maria Panayi joins as Managing Director of Brand Partnerships, Charlie Hugill steps in as Head of Creative Strategy, and Hannah Liu‑Sherman...
When Leaders Stay, but Their Impact Doesn’t: The Case for Whole-Leader Coaching
Retention of underperforming executives is a hidden risk that can erode morale, culture, and financial performance. Recent surveys show burnout among leaders has risen to 56% in 2024, while many C‑suite members contemplate leaving for better well‑being support. Whole‑leader coaching...
IBM: CEOs Have a New Top Priority (and HR Is Key)
IBM’s 2026 CEO Study shows productivity and profitability now top priorities for CEOs, overtaking other concerns. AI and technology modernization follow closely, prompting CEOs to restructure the C‑suite and elevate HR’s role, with 60% expecting greater CHRO influence. IBM recommends...