Top 10 Most Trailblazing Leaders Redefining the Future in 2025
Peter Ramsey Joseph CEO, Joseph Insurance Broker LLC – The CIO Today
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Rubina Chadha – Mindful Leadership Icon of the Year, 2025
Rubina: Top Mindful Leadership Icon of the Year 2025 Leading a Movement of Calm, Clarity, and Creative Renewal In an age marked by constant connectivity, rising anxiety, and a relentless pace of productivity, the leaders who are making the most enduring impact are not just the loudest or the fastest—they are the most present. Among them, Rubina stands out as a rare force of calm and clarity, inspiring a new wave of human-centered leadership rooted in mindfulness, breathwork, and creative expression. Recognized by CIO Today as the Top Mindful Leadership Icon of the Year 2025, Rubina is reshaping how professionals, educators, and families relate to stress, creativity, and inner regulation. As a trauma-informed educator, certified mindfulness guide, and CEO/founder of Inner Design, Rubina’s work bridges ancient practices with modern science to support nervous system health, emotional balance, and aligned leadership. Her programs empower people to release performance-based pressure, access their creative flow, and return to the clarity of who they are beneath stress, perfectionism, and over-identification with roles. A Personal Journey That Sparked a Global Vision Rubina’s mission didn’t begin in a strategy meeting or trend report—it began at home. Raised in a spiritually rich household where meditation and breath were treated as tools for resilience, Rubina was introduced early on to the power of self-awareness. But it wasn’t until navigating the challenges of single motherhood, professional burnout, and emotional overwhelm that she began weaving together the threads of mindfulness, nervous system regulation, and creative healing into a comprehensive offering for others. “What I was learning through necessity—how to slow down, how to breathe, how to create space inside myself—I realized was missing from almost every professional and personal setting,” she shares. “People were surviving on urgency and stress. I wanted to create a path for something deeper, more sustainable, and more human.” That desire laid the foundation for The Inner Design, a platform and methodology Rubina developed to help people restore their inner equilibrium and lead from their most authentic, regulated self. The Inner Design: Breath. Reset. Create. At the heart of Rubina’s impact is the Creative Reset, a trauma-informed framework that blends somatic awareness, mindfulness, and creativity. The approach is both gentle and transformative, offering a step-by-step system for anyone seeking to reset from stress and rediscover their natural rhythm. Rubina’s work takes shape across several core offerings: ● Creative Reset program: These experiential sessions help individuals process emotional tension, connect with inner stillness, and reignite creative flow using a combination of breath, movement, and freeform expression. ● Nervous System Education: Through accessible language and science-backed practices, Rubina teaches students and professionals how to understand their stress responses and cultivate internal safety. ● Mindfulness for Educators & Teens: With a background in Arts, Media & Entertainment, Rubina works closely with students and teachers in public and private school systems to provide trauma-informed mindfulness experiences, helping the next generation lead with empathy and presence. ● One-on-One Mentorship and Leadership Consulting: Rubina supports high-performing creatives, founders, and educators in building sustainable practices that reduce burnout, enhance emotional intelligence, and promote long-term well-being. Every session and program is designed to help people pause, reconnect, and remember their wholeness—not as a performance goal, but as a lived truth. Creating Safe Spaces for Transformation Rubina’s greatest strength lies in her ability to create environments where others feel deeply seen, safe, and inspired. Whether in a classroom, a boardroom, or an intimate breathwork circle, her presence invites a kind of exhale that many participants didn’t even know they were holding. “People often tell me, ‘I haven’t felt this safe in years,’” she reflects. “That’s where transformation begins—not with pushing, but with presence.” This ability to hold space has made her a sought-after collaborator for institutions looking to embed mindfulness and emotional literacy into their culture. From junior colleges and high-performing charter schools to art colleges and wellness programs, Rubina has guided teams and individuals toward a more integrated, balanced way of living and leading. An Embodied Presence That Redefines Leadership What sets Rubina apart in today’s leadership landscape is her unwavering Embodied Presence—a calm, grounded awareness that resonates more deeply than force or performance ever could. Rather than leading through urgency or control, she invites transformation through clarity, listening, and authentic connection. Her presence alone creates space for others to breathe, reflect, and realign with what truly matters. “Leadership isn’t about being the loudest in the room,” Rubina shares. “It’s about being anchored enough to listen—first to yourself, then to those you serve.” In a world craving depth over noise, her approach is a refreshing and powerful model for what modern leadership can—and should—feel like. Bringing Mindfulness Into Branding and Design Beyond wellness and education, Rubina’s influence also extends into the world of conscious branding. Drawing from her commercial & fine art training and years of experience as a creative, she supports mission-driven entrepreneurs and design agencies in building aligned brands that reflect their true essence. Whether consulting on visual identity, messaging, or experiential design, she helps clients create from a place of clarity—not performance—so their presence speaks even before they say a word. “Your brand should feel like a breath, not a mask,” Rubina shares. “It’s about resonance, not just recognition.” In her collaborations with designers and creative teams, Rubina brings a rare fusion of strategy and soul, reminding leaders that how something feels is just as important as how it looks. A Growing Impact Across Industries As the world grows more complex, the demand for mindful leadership is only rising. Rubina’s teachings are being adopted not just by wellness communities, but by creative professionals, educators, and even tech leaders seeking to stay grounded amidst chaos. Her upcoming initiatives include expanding her certification programs for educators, launching community-based breathwork gatherings, and continuing to partner with institutions looking to humanize their leadership approach. Though her audience continues to grow, Rubina remains committed to the simplicity at the core of her work: helping people come home to themselves. Through breath, through awareness, and
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Dr. Max Caruso
Ancient Resonance: How the Echoes of Rome and Shanghai Guided a Global Life (Part 1 of 3) By Dr Max Caruso We are the oneWe are the fewWe are the manyWe are the other (Musings, Caruso, 2025) I have many powerful memories of my birthplace, Rome. The images are not clear; they are quasi-memories… more like feelings. In my forties, I had occasion to return to Rome, the city that gave me life. On this particular day, standing at the bottom of the Spanish Steps, I gave in to a feeling—an urge to climb the stairs and then follow the road to the left, following these echoes of my past up the rise… as the magnificence of Rome unfolded to my left. With each step, layers of memory peeled away. Upon reaching the summit of Il Pincio, the Pincian Hill, I stood before Rome, open and splendid, eternal, as far as the eye could see, with the Borghese Gardens behind me. Images, memories, feelings and a deep sense of knowing flooded me as my eyes gazed from the terrace over the ochre-domed chaos of Piazza Del Popolo. I decided to call my Dad in Melbourne. ‘Where am I?’ I asked. “I seem to know this place.” My father, a practical man shaped by the horrors of war as a boy and hardened further by the tough politics of Italy in the 1960s, simply replied. ‘Massimiliano, don’t youremember? As a family, we came here often…’ A wave of deep emotion and terrible sadness swept over me… tears coursing down my cheeks, people staring… It was that awful sense of loss, me standing at that most magnificent point, seeing the city of my birth not as a citizen, the proud Roman I have always felt myself to be, but as a lost tourist with vague memories of a life… lost. That moment, on that hill, was a turning point. The beginning of a lifelong search for a frequency that had led my family across oceans, through a life of dislocation in Australia, and finally to an unexpected harmony in the ancient bustle of modern Shanghai. My family left Italy in 1969, part of the great post-war exodus—yes, we too were searching for the promised land. We sailed from the Port of Naples on the famous SS Marconi, in the footsteps of countless thousands. No steerage class for us! Somehow… and my father never explained… we secured the comforts and grace of Second Class, a small but significant act of dignity for the journey ahead. Our route was dictated by global tensions; the Suez Canal was closed, forcing us on a month-long odyssey around the Cape of Good Hope, with a stop in apartheid-era Durban. We were leaving behind what The Economist of the time would describe as The Italian Muddle: a political landscape of permanent crisis, a state paralyzed by clientelism, and a society cracking under the strain of its own initial post-war Economic Miracle. My parents, who loved their country deeply, sought stability and a future for their children. They could not have realized they were removing their youngest son from the deep, resonating frequency of his civilization. In March of that year, we landed in Melbourne, a vibrant, conservative city that was the antithesis of layered time. Our new life was bewildering, raw, new and defined by a different kind of struggle. In those early days Dad worked for the Good Year tire company, through its relationship at the time with Pirelli. Later, like many men of his time, he sought work in the building industry… the allure of better pay, despite more cavalier conditions. My blessed mother, after an initial stint in the workforce, decided to dedicate herself to her family, her children… a liberating, yet conversely imprisoning, decision. Wogs… that ubiquitous, biting slur still rings in my ear… identifying us as the perpetual other… No matter. I would exact my own revenge on this racist attitude through my own success. Australia in the 1970s, for all its promise, operated on a different wavelength. It was a young nation, energetically building itself, indeed, seeking her own rhythm and place in the region… an outlier in Southeast Asia. My Roman imprint—that sense of history as a living, stratified presence—had no translation here. This ancient resonance (my term) became a source of dislocation. I felt like a ghost, an anachronism, carrying a silent, heavy stone of history in a land that prized the new. What drives from within? For me, this dislocation became a powerful engine, driving a compensatory discipline. I found solace as an athlete, achieving State and National success. I learned to channel focus into clear, measurable outcomes. My revenge journey began to take form. It fueled a voracious intellectual curiosity, leading me into education, first in the classrooms of Melbourne’s Catholic schools and later as a principal on the international stage in China and the Middle East. My professional recognitions—being featured on magazine covers and named a “Top 50 Global Leader”—were, in a way, a search for a new language of belonging, a way to build an identity that could span worlds, cultures and time. Yet, the fundamental psychic frequency remained untuned. The pivotal, unexpected harmonization came not from professional accolades, but from the most personal of choices: building a life with my Chinese, Shanghainese wife. Decades after that moment on the hill in Rome, I found myself living in Shanghai, at the heart of anotherancient, continuous civilization. Superficially, nothing should have felt familiar. The language, the food, the social rituals were unique. And yet, a profound sense of recognition settled over me. It wasn’t that China was like Italy; it was that it was like Italy in a specific,profound way. It possessed the same depth. I had a word for it now: Ancient Resonance. This is not a term I found in books, but one I coined from lived experience. It describes the psychological and spiritual comfort an individual, imprinted by one ancient culture, can find in another. It operates on several levels. Psychologically, it speaks to Carl Jung’s idea of the collective unconscious—the Roman “genius loci” and the Chinese sense of timeless, cyclical history both act as archetypes, triggering a sense of meaning and belonging in a deep part of the psyche. Sociologically, it aligns with Pierre Bourdieu’s concept of habitus: the ingrained “feel for the game.” The social games of Rome and Shanghai are different, but they are both immensely complex, subtle, and played on a field shaped by millennia of unspoken rules. A child
SheInfluence: Trailblazing Women Making a Difference, 2025
Ruby Gill Founder, CEONanak Homeopathic Clinic – The CIO Today
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Sharon Kern
Sharon Kern Director – People & Culture –Mad Mobile LK An Exclusive Conversation with Jasmine Francis, Editor-in-Chief of CIOTODAY, Unveiling the Remarkable Journey of Sharon Kern Mad Mobile is dedicated to making hospitality more efficient and seamless through innovative and reliable technology solutions. They envision a future where every retail, restaurant, and hospitality transaction is mobile. Their mission is to equip businesses with cutting-edge connected technologies, enabling them to deliver exceptional service and keep pace with the ever-evolving demands of the industry. Sharon Kern, Mad Mobile LK Director – People & Culture, is an HR trailblazer who is passionate about designing workplaces that are conducive to growth, diversity, and real human connections. From humble beginnings in customer support, she soon discovered her love for relationship-building and empowering others. Her path to HR was driven by commitment, determination, and unshakable confidence in influencing the lives of individuals and organizations. She is now a prominent HR influencer, molding organizational culture and ensuring business success. The Outset Story: From Customer Support to People-Centric Leadership She began her professional journey in customer service, where she quickly realized that success was about more than just solving problems, it was about building meaningful connections. Through daily interactions, she developed a deep understanding of workplace relationships, which ignited her passion for fostering growth, not only for customers but also for employees. Recognizing that her true calling lay beyond customer service, she transitioned into HR, where she could shape workplace culture and support employee development. With dedication, reliability, and an unwavering passion for people, Sharon has committed herself to creating environments where individuals thrive. Guided by a people-first philosophy, ensuring that every professional feels valued, empowered, and inspired to reach their full potential. Sharon attributes her success as a leader to key guiding principles and essential qualities that have shaped her HR journey. Emotional intelligence has been instrumental in navigating workplace challenges, allowing her to understand, connect with, and support others on a deeper level while fostering strong relationships. Resilience and adaptability have been vital in helping to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of HR and business, ensuring both stability and progress. Most importantly, self-confidence has been the cornerstone of her success, enabling to make bold decisions, champion employees, and lead with authenticity. She firmly believes that true success lies in cultivating confidence while maintaining a harmonious balance between personal and professional aspirations. Beyond personal attributes, Sharon’s leadership is guided by core principles that shape her approach to HR and people management. She strongly believes in continuous growth and lifelong learning, embracing curiosity and self-improvement to drive both personal and organizational development. Empowering others is another key principle she upholds, viewing leadership not as a pursuit of personal recognition but as an opportunity to uplift and enable others to succeed. She is committed to fostering an environment where individuals feel valued, heard, and encouraged to reach their full potential. Moreover, her leadership is deeply rooted in purpose and impact, ensuring that her efforts not only contribute to the company’s success but also positively influence people’s lives. By blending intrinsic strengths with these guiding principles, Sharon has become a transformational leader, creating workplaces where both employees and organizations thrive. Overcoming Challenges and Earning Recognition: A Journey of Impact and Excellence Sharon’s career has been shaped by numerous challenges, each contributing to the leader she is today. One of the most significant obstacles she has faced is navigating change and uncertainty, as economic downturns, organizational restructurings, and market shifts demand resilience and clear communication to keep teams motivated. Additionally, handling difficult conversations has been a key challenge, as delivering tough feedback, resolving conflicts, and making hard decisions require a delicate balance of empathy and assertiveness. Another ongoing challenge has been building and sustaining high-performing teams in the highly competitive IT sector, attracting top talent, developing future leaders, and reducing turnover, which necessitate strategic HR interventions. Through these experiences, Sharon has strengthened confidence, adaptability, and a people-focused leadership approach. Despite these challenges, dedication to HR excellence and leadership development has earned her widespread recognition. She was honored as a Top Global HR Influencer 2025 by the World HRD Congress in Mumbai, India. She was named one of the Best HR Leaders in Asia 2024 by Tradeflock Magazine for her contributions to HR innovation and people leadership. Additionally, she was recognized at the SLASSCOM Annual General Meeting 2024 for her outstanding service and contributions to the knowledge and innovation sector. These prestigious accolades highlight her ability to shape HR strategies, cultivate workplace culture, and drive transformative change. Through resilience and vision, Sharon has solidified her reputation as a transformational leader in the HR industry. The Mantra for Success and Future Endeavors: A Vision for Tomorrow “Adaptability is power. Empathy and emotional intelligence fuel success. Be a champion of change.” This mantra shapes her approach to HR, where sharon remains agile, builds meaningful connections, and drives transformative initiatives that propel both people and business growth. Looking ahead, Sharon envisions making a lasting impact in HR and leadership. Whilst remaining committed to continuous learning and leadership development, expanding expertise in HR, leadership strategy, and business transformation to drive meaningful organizational change. A key priority for her is mentoring and coaching future leaders, ensuring a strong leadership pipeline and empowering the next generation of HR professionals. Sharon is also passionate about driving organizational change by spearheading initiatives that enhance workplace culture, employee experience, and overall business performance. Beyond corporate contributions, Sharon actively engages in industry thought leadership, sharing insights through HR forums, mentoring professionals, and speaking at conferences. Her mantra is more than just a belief—it is the driving force behind the journey as she continues to lead, inspire, and transform workplaces for the better. Words of Wisdom: Advice for Aspiring Leaders For those aspiring to be great leaders, Sharon emphasizes the importance of leading with empathy—building genuine connections and understanding people on a deeper level. She strongly advocates for continuous learning, encouraging individuals to stay curious, seek mentors, and stay informed on industry trends.
Dr. Mohamed Elhindi – Most Impactful Leader of 2025
Dr. Mohamed Elhindi , Chief Information Officer , University Technology ServicesWe had the opportunity to interview Dr. Mohamed Elhindi, a visionary leader in workforce and education transformation. With a strong background in digital innovation, global collaboration, and industry-aligned curricula, Dr. Elhindi shared his insights on the future of workforce development. From advancing public-private partnerships to integrating emerging technologies into education, he provided valuable perspectives on preparing the next generation for a rapidly evolving job market. Here’s what he had to say. The education and workforce development sector is critical in preparing individuals with the necessary skills to cope with changing job markets. It encompasses higher education, vocational training, and corporate development programs. With the increasing trend of digital transformation and AI, this sector is geared towards matching curricula with industry requirements, preparing the workforce for the future. Cooperation among universities, companies, and governments is central to developing nimble, technologically adept professionals. Lifelong learning, reskilling, and upskilling are essential to equipping workers for careers in new industries such as cybersecurity, renewable energy, and healthcare, fueling economic growth and competitiveness. Dr. Mohamed Elhindi is an innovative education and workforce development leader with a background in digital transformation, global collaboration, and industry-relevant curricula. During his career, he has concentrated on modernizing higher education, public-private partnerships, and leading digital infrastructure upgrades. His work has been at the forefront of getting students ready for future-proof careers, aligning educational outcomes with the changing needs of the global economy. At the heart of his ideology is the conviction that education fuels sustainable economic growth, innovation, and national competitiveness. Key Milestones That Have Influenced Leadership in Education and Workforce Development Over the years, Dr. Mohamed Elhindi has led initiatives that connect education, workforce preparation, and economic growth. Several key milestones have characterized his career. One of his greatest accomplishments has been spearheading the digitalization of higher education, where he led universities through AI-powered learning, digital infrastructure enhancement, and curricula tailored to address the changing needs of the industry. This emphasis on digital development in education has been key in bringing academic institutions in line with the demands of the contemporary workforce. Furthermore, his global collaboration with the United Nations has given him an independent perspective of international best practices for workforce development and higher education reforms. His global experience has been key in informing his approach to workforce and education strategies. One of the most important areas of his leadership has been building public-private partnerships (PPPs), in which he has been able to lead university, business, and government collaborations to ensure education is aligned with labor market requirements and equips students with the realities of the world. As the digital world becomes increasingly complex, making sure that education systems, workforce training programs, and economic sectors are secure has been at the heart of his work. Cybersecurity and the creation of strong digital infrastructures have been priorities, making it possible to create a safer and more resilient space for learning and economic development. Moreover, mentorship and leadership development have always been a personal interest. Creating education-to-employment pipelines and leadership development programs has been critical in preparing the future generation of leaders in education, business, and technology. Core Vision: The Future of Education in Workforce & Economic Development The future of education in building a strong workforce and economic development is imperative, and his vision for the future is based on a few core pillars that seek to redefine education and workforce development. One of his main priorities is a future-proof education system. He thinks that curricula should be reformed to incorporate new technologies like STEM, and data analytics at all levels of education so that students are better prepared for the future job market. He also supports tighter industry-education connections, where businesses and universities work together to co-design training programs, apprenticeships, and workforce development plans. This way, graduates are not only well-educated but also equipped with the skills required by industry. He is likewise a firm advocate for increasing vocational and technical education (TVET) since he sees the increasing need for specialized skills in areas such as renewable energy, and cybersecurity. Through technical training, he thinks workers can be prepared with the necessary knowledge to succeed in these high-growth industries. An upskilling national workforce strategy is another significant support of his vision. He highlights that the future workforce will require constant reskilling to match the pace of technological progress. Thus, he supports lifelong learning initiatives and digital reskilling programs to make professionals responsive to changing industries. Lastly, he foresees a research and innovation ecosystem in higher education institutions. He is convinced that universities can spur innovation, economic growth, and national security improvements through the creation of a research culture that will eventually benefit the entire economy. High-Impact Projects for Workforce & Economic Development Throughout his professional career, Dr. Elhindi has overseen and participated in several influential projects focusing on workforce and economic development. Among these, one project he initiated was AI-based career paths. Through the application of predictive AI tools, he has directed students toward careers that support national economic requirements, preparing the workforce for future job markets and new industries. Dr. Elhindi has also played a key role in establishing international apprenticeships and internship programs. By enhancing the relationship between industries and universities, such programs empower students to graduate with not just the requisite academic knowledge but also with meaningful real-world experience. This experiential training closes the gap between learning and work experience, supporting students in making an easy transition into the industry. Moreover, Dr. Elhindi has promoted the development of an entrepreneurial mindset within education. He has been part of the development of startup incubators in universities, which lead to innovation, entrepreneurship, and the creation of jobs. These incubators push students to build an entrepreneurial spirit, enabling them to become innovators and be responsible for economic growth and the creation of jobs. Healthcare & Workforce Expansion & Technology-Driven Economic Development Healthcare is one of the most important areas for workforce and economic development, and Dr. Elhindi has
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Anupam Anand – Top Dynamic AI Leader of the Year 2025
Anupam Anand, VP, Apptad Inc. We had the opportunity to interview Anupam Anand, a seasoned expert in quality engineering with over 20 years of experience. As AI continues to revolutionize software testing, Anupam shared his insights on how intelligent automation, predictive analytics, and AI-driven frameworks are transforming the industry. From enhancing testing practices in financial services to leveraging AI for quality assurance in Testing Centers of Excellence, he provided valuable perspectives on the evolving role of AI in enterprise applications. Here’s what he had to say. With over 20 years in quality engineering, how have you seen AI transform software testing? AI has revolutionized software testing by introducing self-learning test automation, predictive analytics, and intelligent defect detection. In the early years, testing relied heavily on manual efforts and script-based automation, which were time-consuming and prone to human errors. AI-powered solutions now autonomously generate test cases, self-heal automation scripts, and optimize test execution, significantly reducing test cycle time. Additionally, AI-driven anomaly detection and risk-based testing help in proactive defect identification, making testing more efficient and robust. In what way is AI reshaping testing practices in financial services and consulting? AI is reshaping financial services and consulting by ensuring faster, more accurate, and risk-focused testing. In this domain, even minor defects can lead to security breaches, financial losses, or compliance violations. AI-driven testing enhances fraud detection, regulatory compliance validation, and automated reconciliation of financial transactions. For instance, AI models analyze large-scale transactional data to detect anomalies, ensuring that financial applications remain robust. AI-powered chatbots also help in automating customer service testing, making BFSI applications more resilient and customer-centric. In your Testing Center of Excellence, how do you use AI for enhancing quality assurance? In our Testing Center of Excellence (TCoE), AI is leveraged to streamline and enhance QA through intelligent test case generation, autonomous test execution, and defect prediction. We use AI-powered RPA bots for repetitive validation tasks, reducing human intervention and boosting accuracy. AI-based test data generation and augmentation help create realistic datasets, ensuring comprehensive test coverage. Additionally, we use predictive analytics to prioritize test scenarios based on historical defect patterns, ensuring maximum risk mitigation with minimal testing effort. Can you please share an example where AI helped make testing faster or more efficient? One notable example is when we automated regression testing for a large-scale banking platform using AI-driven test automation. Earlier, regression cycles took weeks to execute manually. By implementing an AI-based test suite, we reduced execution time by 70%, allowing faster releases without compromising quality. AI-driven self-healing test scripts eliminated maintenance overhead, while predictive defect analytics helped preemptively fix issues, making the testing process faster and more efficient. In what ways AI-based tools enhance test coverage, speed, and overall efficiency? AI-based tools bring intelligence, adaptability, and automation to testing. They enhance: Test Coverage: AI-driven exploratory testing helps uncover edge cases and hidden defects that traditional testing might miss. Speed: AI automates test case generation and prioritization, reducing execution time from days to hours. Efficiency: Self-healing automation frameworks minimize maintenance efforts, while AI-powered parallel execution optimizes test runs across environments. AI’s ability to analyze logs and error patterns further refines test effectiveness, making it an indispensable tool for modern software development. What are the most significant challenges of AI-based test automation, and how can industries overcome them? While AI-based test automation offers transformative benefits, it comes with challenges such as: Data Dependency: AI models require vast amounts of high-quality training data. Solution: Use synthetic data generation techniques. Model Bias and False Positives: AI may misinterpret test failures or defects. Solution: Continuously refine AI models using diverse datasets. Integration Complexity: Legacy systems may not be compatible with AI-based testing. Solution: Implement API-based test automation for seamless integration. Cost and Skill Gap: AI implementation requires specialized expertise and can be costly. Solution: Upskill teams in AI-based testing frameworks and adopt AI-driven low-code test automation tools. How do you maintain seamless collaboration among testing, development, and product teams while using AI? Collaboration is key to AI-driven testing success. We ensure seamless interaction between teams by: Implementing AI-powered TestOps: AI provides real-time test analytics dashboards for developers, testers, and product owners. Using Intelligent CI/CD Pipelines: AI-driven test automation is embedded within DevOps pipelines, ensuring continuous feedback loops. Automated Defect Assignment: AI classifies and assigns defects to the right team members, reducing resolution time. AI-assisted Test Documentation: Automated test reporting ensures that insights are shared across all stakeholders, keeping the process transparent and aligned. What advice would you give to people who aspire to build a career in AI-based testing and automation? To build a successful career in AI-based testing and automation, consider: Mastering AI & ML Fundamentals: Understand AI concepts, NLP, and machine learning models. Learning AI-Driven Test Automation Tools: Gain expertise in Selenium with AI, Test.ai, Applitools, and AI-based RPA tools. Understanding AI in DevOps: Learn how AI integrates into CI/CD pipelines for automated testing. Developing Analytical Thinking: AI-based testing is data-driven, so being able to analyze test results and defect patterns is crucial. Staying Updated with Industry Trends: AI in testing is evolving rapidly. Engage in webinars, AI forums, and practical projects to stay ahead. What are other AI project is being taken care by you. At Apptad, we are currently working on multiple AI initiatives, including Agentic AI-driven automation frameworks and collaborations with PSUs to drive IndiaAI initiatives. One of our key projects focuses on deepfake detection technology, addressing the growing threat of manipulated digital content. Deepfake technology poses a significant risk to digital content integrity, enabling malicious actors to spread false information, manipulate public perception, and create security vulnerabilities. Current detection methods often lack real-time verification and broad integration across digital platforms, necessitating a more robust and scalable solution. Our AI-driven approach aims to enhance real-time deepfake detection, ensuring digital authenticity and security. How do you see Agentic AI evolving in enterprise applications, and what role does it play in decision-making? Agentic AI is revolutionizing enterprise applications by enabling autonomous decision-making through context-aware, adaptive agents. These agents dynamically
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Michael Vlad
Michael Vlad ACNP & CEO –MV LLC Consulting Group An Exclusive Conversation with Jasmine Francis, Editor-in-Chief of CIOTODAY, Unveiling the Remarkable Journey of Michael Vlad “A Leap of Faith: Journey from Uncertainty to Leadership” Where It All Began To understand resilience, you must first understand what it means to fight for your very existence. Growing up behind the Iron Curtain in Eastern Europe, life was defined by limitations. Choices were dictated by a communistic government that suppressed individuality and crushed ambition. The air was heavy with the weight of conformity, and dreams were whispered cautiously, as if they could be snatched away at any moment. This is how Michael Vlad describes his journey. He is the ACNP, former General Manager and CEO of the Argyle and currently the President and CEO of MV LLC Consulting Group. Living in such an environment wasn’t just about survival; it was about preserving your identity in a system designed to erase it. “Growing up in the Eastern European Communist Bloc was like living in a cage,” I recall. “The world was gray, suffocating, and relentlessly harsh. But it was within this cage that I discovered an inner fire—a resilience born of defiance.” At home, my parents were my greatest silent heroes. My father, a hotel manager, was a man who spoke sparingly but worked tirelessly. His quiet determination became a model for me, a reminder that actions often speak louder than words. My mother, a full-time tutor, was my guide and my anchor. She instilled in me the value of education, even when the world seemed intent on stripping us of opportunities. The Call to Adventure At 20 years old, I made the hardest decision of my life. I left everything I had ever known—my family, my home, and the life I had built—to chase a dream in a land I had only seen in movies: the United States. The decision was a mix of exhilaration and heartbreak. I knew I was leaving behind the comfort of familiarity for a future that was entirely uncertain. “Leaving my family behind felt like tearing apart a part of my soul,” I admit. “But I knew I couldn’t stay. I had to leap, to follow the faint hope of a life that was bigger than the one I had been assigned.” Several years later, I moved to New York City, where I took my first job at Windows on the World, perched at the top of the World Trade Center. The city’s energy was electric, and its challenges were relentless. Every day felt like a test of my willpower, a battle against self-doubt and fear. But it was also in New York that I began to realize something profound: adversity is not a barrier—it’s a steppingstone. Lessons in Resilience Working at Windows on the World was more than just a job; it was a masterclass in human connection, adaptability, and perseverance. The restaurant sat high above the chaos of the city, offering a perspective that mirrored my journey—rising above the challenges below to see the bigger picture. But the lessons weren’t easy. There were days when exhaustion threatened to break me, when rejection and failure seemed to pile up endlessly. I felt the sting of self-doubt more times than I can count. But each time I faltered, I reminded myself of why I had left everything behind: to prove to myself and to the world that I was capable of more. Resilience became my greatest weapon. It wasn’t just about enduring hardship; it was about growing through it. Every setback was an opportunity to learn, to refine my skills, and to strengthen my resolve. I began to see failure not as an endpoint, but as a necessary part of growth. September 11, 2001: A Defining Moment Then came September 11, 2001—the day that changed everything. The events of that day didn’t just shake the world; they shattered me in ways I never thought possible. It wasn’t just the horror of what I witnessed; it was the loss of people who had become such an integral part of my life. Friends. Colleagues. People I considered family. Their lives, so full of promise, were extinguished in an instant. And I was left to pick up the pieces, carrying their memories and the weight of a grief so profound it defied words. I’ve tried to channel my pain into purpose, to honor the memories of those who didn’t make it by living a life that’s worthy of their sacrifice. But even that feels inadequate at times. How do you measure up to such loss? How do you make sense of a world where a simple twist of fate can mean the difference between life and death? These are questions I continue to wrestle with, questions that have no easy answers. A Legacy of Leadership and Innovation Today, as I stand at the top of my career, I realize that success is not measured by titles or accolades. It’s measured by the impact we have on others, the lives we have touched, and the lessons we have learned along the way. “This recognition isn’t just about me,” I say. “It’s a reflection of the people who have supported me, the teams who have stood by me, and the mentors who have shaped me. Leadership is never about the individual—it’s about the collective.” As I moved up the ranks, the challenges only grew. With greater responsibility came tougher decisions, higher stakes, and more pressure. There were moments when the weight of leadership felt overwhelming, when I questioned whether I was truly ready for the roles I had taken on. But each challenge was an opportunity to prove to myself that I could handle more. I learned to embrace the discomfort, knowing that growth often comes from the most difficult experiences. One of the most important lessons I learned along the way was the value of resilience. Leadership isn’t about having all the answers or never making mistakes. It’s about showing up,
Big CIO Show and Awards
Title: Big Ideas, Bold Leaders: Big CIO Show and Awards is Where Business Meets Innovation Subtitle: Tech leaders from Mahindra Group, Adani Group, SBI, NPCI, Alembic Pharma, WNS, Swiggy, Ola Cabs, Bluestar, JSW, Force Motors, Paytm, JBM Group, DTDC and many other influential leaders from private and public sector alike are joining the 14th edition of Big CIO Show in Bengaluru on 20 March. 27 February 2025, Bengaluru: The 14th Edition of the Big CIO Show and Awards, organised by Trescon, is set to bring together India’s most influential CIOs, Tech Leaders and Policy Makers ‘all under one roof to deliberate the next course of action for India’s rapidly evolving business landscape in the wake of emerging technologies. With a legacy spanning 13 editions, featuring 500+ exhibitors, 800+ speakers and 8,500+ C-level attendees, the Big CIO Show and Awards has established itself as a cornerstone platform for driving transformative conversations around emerging enterprise technologies. Slated for 20th March 2025 at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Bengaluru the event will serve as a strategic platform for CIOs, CDOs, CTOs and Tech Leaders to exchange insights, explore transformative technologies, and address enterprise-level challenges shaping the future of business. As enterprises, corporates and business leaders scale up AI adoptions, the attention now shifts from experimentations to driving real and measurable outcomes. AI is not only seen as a critical tool to enhance decision making but also seen as a driver for operational efficiency and strategic agility. This shift is reflected in recent reports revealing that Generative AI companies raised $56 billion in venture capital funding in 2024. This surge in investment underscores both the transformative potential of AI and the growing responsibility of C-level executives to ensure these investments deliver tangible business outcomes while proactively managing associated risks. The Big CIO Show & Awards is an enabler for top notch Tech Leaders, to tackle emerging challenges and potential gaps through insightful panel discussions and keynote presentations. The event will focus on equipping decision-makers with practical strategies for AI, cyber security, cloud transformation, digital business transformation, data analytics and more. Our Distinguished Speaker line-up: Neeta Verma – Director General of Information Technology, Election Commission of India Ekroop Caur – Secretary, Electronics, IT, BT and S&T, Government of Karnataka Sanjay Dubey – Chairman MPSEDC, Government of Madhya Pradesh Sanjeev Kumar Gupta, Chief Executive Officer, Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM) Rajiv Chetwani – Director DISM, ISRO Suresh Yadav – Senior Director, Artificial Intelligence and Transformative Technology, Commonwealth International V Ranganathan Iyer – Senior Executive Vice President & Group CIO, JBM Group Pallavi Katiyar – Chief Information Officer, Tech Mahindra Pavan Goyal – Chief Information Officer, Mphasis Gaurav Duggal – Senior VP – IT & Innovation, Jio Platforms Tejas Shah – Chief Information Officer, L’Oréal India Udit Pahwa – Chief Information Officer, Blue Star Limited Sanjay Maradi – Partner, CIO & Lead, Member Firm Tech Services, KPMG Global Services Apurva Dalal – Chief Information Officer, Adani Green Energy Rahul Bharde – SVP, Head of Analytics and Insights, Jubilant Foodworks Ritesh Mohan Srivastava – Chief AI Officer, Jindal Steel & Power Ltd. Gaurav Srivastava – Head of Technology, National Payments Corporation of India Sanjay Rastogi – Vice President Technology, Jio Financial Services Vivek Zakarde – Head of Data Engineering and Data Sciences, IndiaFirst Life Sciences Bhargab Dutta – Chief Digital Officer, Century Plyboards Alok Shankar Pandey – Group General Manager Information Technology & CISO, Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited Arunraja Karthick – Head-IT Services and Security, DTDC Express Sushil Meher – Medical Informatics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Balakrishnan Nair T.M – Director, Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services Anand Deodhar – Group Chief Information Officer and Head IT, Force Motors Ramkumar Mohan – Senior Vice President & CIO, Air Works Group Joseph Jeune C.J, Vice President Information Technology, Bangalore International Airport Ltd. Sharing their excitement about the event, Mohammed Saleem, Founder and Chairman, Trescon, said, “CIOs are no longer just managing technology. They are driving transformation, building resilience, and turning strategy into impact. The challenge is not adopting new technology but making it work for real business outcomes. That is why platforms like the Big CIO Show & Awards matter. They bring tech leaders together to shape the future of enterprise innovation.” Looking forward to contributing to the discussions at the Big CIO Show and Awards, Ritesh Mohan Srivastava, Chief AI Officer, Jindal Steel & Power Ltd., said, “I’m excited to share insights on strategically scaling AI to optimize performance and drive digital business transformation at Trescon’s 14th Edition of Big CIO Show & Awards 2025. We’ll explore how AI can enhance operational efficiency, enable agility, and transform decision-making, with a particular focus on the steel industry.” The show will also host the ‘Big CIO Show Innovators Awards‘ and the ‘Big CIO Show Leaders Awards‘ where industry savants will be honored for their contributions to the technology eco-space We are also introducing The Popular Choice Awards, which is a special category for our award nominees, determined through votes from their peer network. This award highlights the outstanding individuals who have made a significant impact, as chosen by their colleagues and industry peers. It’s a celebration of excellence, driven by community support and engagement. Registration for the Big CIO Show & Awards is now open. Submit your nominations here. Explore the world of emerging technologies as you forge partnerships and gain actionable insights at the event. 14th edition of the Big CIO Show & Awards is supported by top media partners – NDTV Profit (Business News Partner) Business Standard (Official Print Partner) Daily Hunt, Business World, Silicon India, IT Voice, CIO Tech Outlook, The CEO Magazine, among others. About Trescon Trescon is a pioneering force in the global business events and services sector, driving the adoption of emerging technologies while promoting sustainability and inclusive leadership. With a deep understanding of the realities and requirements of the growth markets we operate in – we strive to deliver innovative and high-quality business platforms for our clients.
Gaurav Deshmukh
Gaurav Deshmukh – Senior Software Engineer and Tech Lead at Guidewire Software The InsurTech (Insurance Technology) sector is revolutionizing the conventional insurance industry by making use of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, automation, and data analytics. InsurTech seeks to improve efficiency, enhance risk analysis, automate claims processing, and provide customized customer experiences. By adopting digital solutions, businesses can minimize operational expenses, identify fraud better, and deliver quicker, more transparent services. With changing customer needs, InsurTech continues to be the trendsetter, ensuring that insurance becomes more accessible, data-led, and market-sensitive. This vibrant business is changing the face of insurance by harnessing technology to address age-old issues. Gaurav Deshmukh’s interest in technology and issue-solving brought him into the InsurTech space. With backend systems and application expertise, his experience at Cigna and Guidewire acquainted him with the potential of technology in revolutionizing insurance operations. Intrigued by data-related challenges and decision-making intricacies, he found a chance to introduce simplicity and effectiveness to the sector. Today, as an InsurTech expert, he creates innovative solutions that optimize operations and enhance customer experiences. Bridging the Gap Between Technological Advancements and Leadership in Insurance With years of experience in insurance and software development, Gaurav has seen tremendous technological changes. Cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and automation have revolutionized the way insurance firms work. Cloud technology has made scalability smooth, AI has transformed risk assessment and claims handling into faster and more accurate processes, and automation has automated traditionally labor-intensive processes, minimizing errors and maximizing efficiency. These developments have not only enhanced in-house processes but also made insurance more customer-centric and responsive. As a Senior Software Engineer and Tech Lead, Gaurav not only remains abreast of such technological developments but also equips his team to manage them effectively. He maintains a balance between technical superiority and leadership by ensuring ongoing learning, transparent communication, and organized problem-solving. He derives energy from addressing uncertain business issues and disassembling them into organized, actionable solutions. A strong proponent of mentorship, he subscribes to Richard Feynman’s creed: “If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” This approach inspires him to make technical complexities simpler so that his team gets a complete understanding of the solutions they are developing and remains competitive in the ever-changing InsurTech space. The Evolution of InsurTech and the Role of Software Engineering Gaurav believes the future of InsurTech lies in No-Code/Low-Code platforms and data-driven solutions that transform insurance operations. Software engineering plays a crucial role in this transformation by developing scalable platforms that allow companies to quickly adapt to customer needs. The focus is on building systems that offer transparency, efficiency, and enhanced user experiences—resolving many of the ambiguities that have historically challenged the insurance sector. AI and automation are also transforming risk assessment and claims processing in the insurance sector. AI-driven algorithms can scan huge volumes of data, identify suspicious claims, and provide more precise risk assessments. Automation, on the contrary, accelerates labor-intensive processes that used to be time-consuming, lessening human effort and error. Through the use of these technologies, insurance firms can provide quicker and more transparent services to clients. Gaurav is proactively working towards embedding AI-powered automation to enable insurance operations to become smarter, more efficient, and user-centric. With the ongoing development of InsurTech, AI, and automation will become instrumental in determining the future of the industry, in conjunction with No-Code/Low-Code platforms that democratize innovation for insurance companies. Developing High-Performance, Scalable, and Secure Insurance Platforms: The Intersection of Technology, Compliance, and Customer Trust Insurance platforms demand great scalability, strong performance, and stringent security, given the growing customer expectations and cyberattacks. Gaurav makes sure that the software he creates is geared to meet these requirements by crafting cloud-native architectures based on microservices and containerization. With this design, components can be scaled independently, providing efficiency at different loads. Load testing and performance monitoring are also key in ensuring system stability so that it can process heavy transactions without failure. Meanwhile, security and regulatory compliance are always at the top of the agenda. As cyber threats grow, Gaurav has a multi-layered security strategy that incorporates data encryption, tight access controls, and frequent security audits. He also works closely with legal teams to ensure compliance with industry regulations. By anticipating performance and security issues, Gaurav makes insurance platforms not only scalable but also robust and compliant, protecting customer data while providing smooth digital experiences. Overcoming Challenges in Insurance Software Development and Envisioning the Future of InsurTech Gaurav has faced several challenging issues with insurance software development throughout his career. One of his most challenging projects was migrating legacy systems to a microservices architecture. The process was very labor-intensive, as unexpected complexities usually arose. His approach was to divide the migration into smaller, manageable steps, maintain open communication between teams, and have iterative progress monitoring. This systematic process enabled the team to handle unknowns efficiently and make a seamless shift to a more scalable architecture. In the future, Gaurav is most looking forward to AI-driven automation and No-Code/Low-Code platforms, which he thinks will transform the way insurance firms work. These technologies will enable companies to respond rapidly to shifting market conditions, providing more customized and streamlined services to customers. His job is to create scalable, secure platforms leveraging these technologies that propel the industry toward more efficiency and innovation. Gaurav is also interested in imparting knowledge through writing and mentoring. Through making difficult technical ideas simple, he wishes to empower the next generation of engineers to build innovative solutions for the insurance industry. Advice for Young Engineers Entering the InsurTech Space To new engineers entering the InsurTech sector, Gaurav recommends establishing a strong technical background and learning deeply about insurance processes. The sector has complicated, uncertain problems, and success lies in connecting technology to business requirements. Problem-solving, flexibility, and ongoing learning are emphasized. Mentorship is crucial—teaching others about something not only reinforces one’s knowledge but also refines communication skills. Further, keeping oneself informed about developments in AI, automation, and cloud computing will equip future
