Mastercard’s Former CPO: Succession Is a Discipline, Not an Event
Mastercard treats executive succession as an ongoing discipline rather than a one‑off event, exemplified by the recent handoff from its former chief people officer to Susan Muigai. The transition leveraged the Mastercard Fellows Program, allowing the outgoing CPO to contribute strategically while preserving institutional knowledge. Data‑driven tools such as the Culture Health Index and AI‑powered platforms like Unlocked and Cai reinforced a culture‑first, risk‑managed approach. The result was a seamless onboarding that accelerated impact and demonstrated how technology can augment, not replace, human‑centered succession planning.
Paul Hudson Couldn’t Quite Get Sanofi over the Hump; PROTAC Developer Arvinas Appoints CEO
Paul Hudson has struggled to revitalize Sanofi’s R&D engine despite a series of high‑profile acquisitions since becoming CEO in 2019. The French group’s pipeline has underperformed, and recent buyouts have failed to deliver the expected boost in innovative drug candidates....
Kelli Valade Tapped to Lead Women’s Foodservice Forum
Kelli Valade has been appointed president of the Women’s Foodservice Forum, succeeding Therese Gearhart. Valade arrives from a string of C‑suite roles, most recently as CEO of Denny’s and previously leading Red Lobster, Chili’s Bar & Grill, and analytics firm Black Box Intelligence. In her new...
Black History Month: The Catalyst to Foster More Inclusive Behavior Year Round
Black History Month offers a launchpad for companies to start genuine, year‑round inclusion initiatives. While many firms intensify diversity programming in February, the momentum often dissipates, sending a signal that equity is a seasonal concern. Experts from Peoplism argue that...
Speaker Spotlight: Eddie Flores, Co-Founder L&L Hawaiian Barbecue, Chairman of L&L Franchise, Inc.
Eddie Flores, co‑founder of L&L Hawaiian Barbecue and chairman of L&L Franchise, Inc., will deliver the opening keynote at the Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit in San Diego on March 16‑18, 2026. In his talk, “Franchising the American Dream,” he...
Nick Lim to Lead Railbookers Group as Asia VP
Railbookers Group announced the appointment of Nick Lim as Vice President for Asia, bolstering its executive team in the region. Lim brings more than 25 years of travel‑industry experience, most recently serving as CEO, Asia at The Travel Corporation. He...
![[Industry News] Testronic Strengthens European Centre of Excellence with Senior Strategic Appointments](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://mcvuk.com/wp-content/uploads/1.-Testronic-European-Appointments_Gallery.jpg)
[Industry News] Testronic Strengthens European Centre of Excellence with Senior Strategic Appointments
Testronic announced a wave of senior appointments to bolster its European Centre of Excellence, including CRO Samantha Williams taking a board seat, senior marketing manager Beata Czarnacka, and Director of Managed Clients Pawel Ziajka. The company also expanded operational leadership, with Chief People...
Why World Models Will Become a Platform Capability, Not a Corporate Superpower
The article argues that large language models have become commoditized, offering generic linguistic intelligence but lacking real‑world understanding. It proposes that world models—systems that learn environment dynamics, causality, and feedback—will evolve into a shared platform capability rather than a proprietary...
Intrizen Announces Expanded Executive Team to Build on Rapid Growth and Drive Innovation
Intrizen, an HR and IT transformation firm and SAP partner, announced an expanded executive team, adding Jerold Lack as Chief Revenue Officer and Lyric Everly as Chief Marketing Officer. The leadership boost follows the company's recent inclusion on the Inc....
Pascal St-Jean to Assume Role of Coincheck Group CEO
Monex Group announced that Pascal St‑Jean, currently Coincheck’s Chief Growth Officer and CEO of 3iQ Corp, will assume the roles of CEO, President and Executive Director of Coincheck Group effective immediately. Gary Simanson, the incumbent CEO, will resign by March 31, 2026....
Why the Most Effective Leaders Are Relearning How to Take Risks
Leaders are shifting from risk avoidance to risk‑capable leadership as volatility erodes growth. Traditional governance that rewards predictability creates decision latency, idle capital, and defensive strategies that underperform. Effective leaders take better, not more, risk by building cognitive resilience, emotional...
AI + Peers Is 1 + 1 = 3: Why Leaders Who Bet on Replacement Will Lose on Performance
The article argues that AI should be viewed as a capability amplifier that works best when paired with high trust among workplace peers. Recent Edelman Trust Barometer data shows growing trust in coworkers while overall social trust declines, creating a...
Spotlight on Strengths-Based Design Elevates Neuroinclusion
Workplaces that adopt strengths‑based design for neurodiverse employees can unlock hidden innovation, according to occupational therapist and Rehab Management CEO Renee Thornton. While many managers already provide informal adjustments, few embed strengths‑focused approaches into organizational frameworks. Thornton argues that most...
How In-Person Experiences Are Redefining Return-to-Office Strategies
Organizations are moving beyond compulsory return‑to‑office mandates, using curated in‑person experiences to reinforce culture and drive performance. FourthWall’s white paper shows that leadership‑led events, purpose‑aligned activations, and thoughtfully designed workspaces boost engagement, productivity, and talent attraction. The research also flags...
Video of the Week: Aviation's Digital Inflection Point – From AI Hype to Operational Reality
The aviation industry is moving beyond hype as AI, cloud, biometrics and automation begin to deliver operational gains. Recent pilots in generative AI for disruption management, biometric boarding and dynamic retailing have shown tangible efficiency improvements. However, entrenched legacy systems,...
Video of the Week: Aviation's Digital Inflection Point – From AI Hype to Operational Reality
Airlines are moving beyond hype to embed AI, biometrics and cloud tools into daily operations, yet success hinges on leadership, data integration and talent. Recent pilots in disruption management, biometric boarding and dynamic retail have shown measurable efficiency gains. Persistent...
EY Is Bumping Up a Financial Services Leader to the Big Assurance Chair
EY announced that Joe Link will assume the role of Americas Vice Chair – Assurance on April 1, succeeding Dante D’Egidio, who moves to US managing partner. Link brings nearly three decades of financial services experience and will oversee a...
Scott Borchetta Exits HYBE AMERICA
Scott Borchetta is departing HYBE America after five years as CEO of Big Machine Label Group, which HYBE acquired in a $1.05 billion deal in 2021. Borchetta, the founder of Big Machine Records, will continue to use the brand for independent...
The Value of Founder Experience with Nick Mason
In the Predictable Revenue Podcast, Nick Mason, co‑founder of Turtl, argues that product‑market fit (PMF) is a moving spectrum rather than a finish line. He warns founders that early traction can be deceptive if driven by a single loud customer...
Air Tahiti Nui Appoints Lionel Guérin as CEO to Lead New Strategic Transformation
Air Tahiti Nui announced Lionel Guérin as its new chief executive officer, effective February 11, 2026. Guérin, a former deputy CEO of Air France and founder of Airlinair, brings extensive airline restructuring experience to the Pacific carrier. The airline, which...
PMI Names Its First Board Members
Public Media Infrastructure (PMI) announced its inaugural board of trustees, chaired by LaFontaine Oliver of New York Public Radio. The nonprofit, launched by a coalition including APMG, PRX, and NPR affiliates, secured a five‑year, $57 million grant from the Corporation for...
Pharma CEOs Should Demand Prasad’s Departure
BioCentury’s editorial warns that the current director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) is jeopardizing patient safety and destabilizing the pharmaceutical industry. The author cites the director’s handling of Moderna’s flu vaccine as a recent example...
NIH Will Not Renew Criswell’s Term As NIAMS Director, Adding To Leadership Vacancies
The National Institutes of Health announced it will not renew Linsey Criswell's term as director of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS). Criswell's departure creates another open director position amid a growing list of leadership...
Does Execution Feel Harder Than It Should? Eliminate This Hidden Friction That's Keeping Your Team Stuck.
Leaders often blame slow execution on accountability, but the real blocker is unclear decision authority and vague expectations. When judgment rights, ownership boundaries, and the definition of “done” are fuzzy, teams stall, meetings multiply, and handoffs break. The article argues...
Portillo’s Hires Outback Steakhouse Vet as CEO
Portillo’s announced Brett Patterson as its new president and chief executive officer, effective Feb. 23, 2026, replacing interim CEO Michael Miles Jr. Patterson arrives from Miller’s Ale House Restaurants after more than a decade in restaurant management, including stints at Olive Garden, Ruby...
Former ALI Exec Named ICCP Chair/CEO
Augusto Bengzon, former chief finance officer of Ayala Land Inc., has been appointed chairman and chief executive officer of Investment and Capital Corp. of the Philippines (ICCP). Bengzon brings 18 years of financial‑services experience, including 16 years at Citibank across...
First Hospitality Adds Lance Hornecker to Lead Global Sales Office
First Hospitality has created a dedicated global sales office led by newly appointed Managing Director‑Global Sales Lance Hornecker. The move adds seasoned sales talent, including Amanda Stredney and Kate Westover, to support group, corporate, meetings, events, leisure and travel‑industry demand...
10 Chambers Co-Founder Departs After a Decade
Hjalmar Vikström, co‑founder and chief development officer of 10 Chambers, announced his departure after ten years leading the studio that created the cooperative horror shooter GTFO. He guided the team from a nine‑person early‑access effort to the full 1.0 release in...
Is Decency The Next Competitive Moat?
The article argues that the internet’s long‑standing focus on outrage‑driven engagement is reaching its limits, as users hit a tolerance threshold. AI‑powered platforms now amplify cynicism, turning noise into a trust‑eroding force. In this new landscape, scarcity has shifted from...
Faces of HR: How Omnissa’s Chief People Officer Bridges the Gap Between Tech and Talent
Omnissa’s Chief People Officer Suni Lobo leverages a globe‑spanning career to fuse artificial intelligence with human‑centric leadership. Her rise, driven by senior sponsors rather than traditional mentors, informs a talent‑pipeline strategy that emphasizes resilience and cross‑cultural fluency. At Omnissa, Lobo...
Workplace Silence Leaving Staff Afraid to Raise Mistakes
Nearly half of UK employees feel unsafe speaking up about errors or risks, according to a survey of 2,000 workers commissioned by MHFA England. The research found 45% lack psychological safety, and 15% have made preventable mistakes because they stayed...
Managers’ Biggest Fears? ‘Confrontation and Redundancies’
New research by Breathe HR surveyed over 500 UK line managers, revealing that the most dreaded workplace scenario is having their authority publicly challenged, followed closely by redundancies, negative feedback, and ungrantable pay‑rise requests. More than a quarter of managers...
Beyond the ‘Downstream’: Reframing Communication as the Core Infrastructure of Workforce Resilience
Rothman & Roman’s upcoming Communication Trend Report 2025 argues that communication is no longer a downstream soft skill but the core infrastructure of workforce resilience. The report highlights that upstream, transparent communication builds trust, reduces burnout, and is essential as...
![#Outlook: How CMOs Will Measure Success in 2026 [Part 2 of 2]](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://admin.marklives.com/temp/images/1770630728.png)
#Outlook: How CMOs Will Measure Success in 2026 [Part 2 of 2]
South African CMOs are redefining success for 2026 amid a sluggish 1.4% GDP outlook. Rather than increasing campaign volume, they will focus on brand purpose, customer loyalty, and measurable commercial impact. Executives highlighted the blend of AI‑driven analytics with human...
Hippocratic AI Announces New Key Executive Appointments to Further Accelerate Growth
Hippocratic AI announced three senior executive hires—Dr. Anoop Sangha as Associate Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Eduardo Reis as Vice President of Strategy, and Niloy Sanyal as Chief Marketing Officer—to deepen clinical expertise, strategic AI leadership, and market reach. The appointments...
Maine Hospital Association President Michaud to Retire; Jeffrey Austin Named Successor
The Maine Hospital Association announced that long‑time President Steven Michaud will retire after a 27‑year tenure, having led the organization since 1999. Jeffrey Austin, currently vice president of government affairs and communications, will take over as president on March 1, 2026....
ACES Mobility Coalition Names Joshua Schank as Executive Director
The ACES Mobility Coalition announced Joshua Schank as its new executive director. Schank, a Columbia‑trained urban planner with nearly three decades in public transportation, policy and technology, was unanimously selected after a national search. He will continue his roles at...
When Leaders Misbehave, What Is HR’s Responsibility?
The article examines HR’s responsibility when senior leaders engage in misconduct, from romantic entanglements to financial fraud. It stresses that HR must launch disciplined investigations, document every detail, and follow established policies rather than improvise. When violations are severe, escalation...
Landers Exits As Alliance CEO, Sheets Takes Helm
Dr. Steve Landers stepped down as CEO of the National Alliance for Care at Home, ending his 17‑month tenure that began in September 2024. He will remain on the board to aid the transition, which takes effect on Feb. 9. Jennifer...
JM Smucker Overhauls Supply Chain Leadership
J.M. Smucker announced a sweeping overhaul of its supply‑chain leadership, eliminating the chief operating officer role and seeing the retirement of two senior vice presidents. The company created a new chief product supply officer position, promoting Rob Ferguson to oversee...
People News: GPA, Sound Transit, Reading & Northern
Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) announced Kevin Price will become President on July 1, 2026 and transition to President‑CEO by mid‑2027, bringing three decades of terminal operations experience. Sound Transit revealed three senior hires – Jessyn Farrell as Executive Director of...
Max Gosney Joins Future Travel Experience as New Managing Director
Future Travel Experience (FTE) announced Max Gosney as its new Managing Director, adding 15 years of aviation media and events expertise. Gosney previously served as Portfolio Director and Conference Chairman at Mark Allen Group, overseeing Ground Handling International and MA...
Seven Influential Women in Biotech in 2026
The article spotlights seven women reshaping biotech in 2026, from Shehnaaz Suliman’s $29 million‑funded mRNA program at ReCode to Julie Kim’s historic appointment as Takeda’s first female CEO. It details their strategic wins—such as Vertex’s CRISPR therapy approval under Reshma Kewalramani...
Why (and How) the Smartest Leaders Encourage Failure
Jeff Bezos argues that growing failures are essential for breakthrough innovation. While 92% of CEOs list innovation as a top priority, over 90% admit they perform poorly at it, largely due to fear of failure. The article outlines five actionable...
ECB Appoints Thomas Broeng Jorgensen as Director General Specialised Institutions and Less Significant Institutions
The European Central Bank appointed Thomas Broeng Jorgensen as Director General for Specialised Institutions and Less Significant Institutions, effective 1 March 2026. In this role he will directly supervise specialised banks and coordinate the oversight of less‑significant banks through national supervisors. Jorgensen succeeds Patrick Amis,...
CrowdStrike Appoints Jonathon Dixon as JAPAC Lead
CrowdStrike announced Jonathon Dixon as vice‑president and managing director for Japan and Asia Pacific, tasking him with leading AI‑powered cyber‑security transformation across the region. Dixon arrives with more than 25 years of experience, most recently serving as JAPAC head at Verkada and...
Havas Group ANZ Promotes Olly Taylor to Expanded Chief Strategy Officer Role
Havas Group Australia & New Zealand has elevated Olly Taylor to an expanded Chief Strategy Officer role, adding responsibility for integrated brand strategy across the region. Taylor, who previously led strategic planning for several key accounts, will now coordinate creative, media and data...
Starbird Appoints Greg Levin as CEO
Starbird announced former BJ's Restaurants chief Greg Levin as its new CEO and board member. Levin, who grew BJ's from 45 to over 200 locations and boosted revenue from $140 million to $1.4 billion, will lead the “super‑premium” chicken brand’s national rollout....
Aeroplay Entertainment Names André Valera CEO
Aeroplay Entertainment announced André Valera as its new chief executive officer. The inflight entertainment content service provider aims to evolve from traditional onboard content to a personalized, measurable, commerce‑ready travel media layer. Valera outlined plans for a modern platform that accelerates...
AdvaMed Names New EVP of Technology and Regulatory Affairs
AdvaMed announced Melissa Torres as its new executive vice president of technology and regulatory affairs, succeeding long‑time leader Janet Trunzo. Torres arrives with more than two decades of FDA leadership, most recently as associate director for international affairs at CDRH....