The KēNOTE

In this episode, we sit down with Bus Van Wagoner, an experienced software engineering leader and current Software Engineering Manager for Conservice, to discuss technology leadership, Agile development, DevOps, and building high-performing engineering teams. He shares insights from his broader career in software engineering and leadership, along with his perspective on continuous improvement and staying ahead in an ever-changing technology landscape.
Tune in as we dive into:
🔹 Bus’s career journey and approach to software engineering leadership🔹 Building high-performing remote teams and creating a culture of collaboration and trust🔹 The importance of continuous learning, improvement, and strong partnerships across technology and product teams
An insightful conversation with a technology leader who brings a hands-on approach to engineering, a passion for innovation, and a commitment to helping both people and technology thrive.

In this episode, we sit down with Toni Sears, a results-driven technology executive and Sr. Director of IT PMO at LVT (LiveView Technologies), to discuss technology leadership, enterprise strategy, and the power of aligning people, processes, and technology to drive business success. With extensive experience managing multi-million-dollar technology portfolios, leading product and program organizations, and driving large-scale transformation, Toni shares insights from a career focused on turning complex business challenges into measurable results.
Tune in as we dive into:🔹 Toni’s career journey and approach to executive technology leadership🔹 How strategic program and product management can drive innovation and organizational growth🔹 Lessons from leading teams, transforming operations, and delivering measurable business outcomes
An insightful and engaging conversation with a technology leader who brings a big-picture perspective, a passion for empowering people, and a proven ability to turn strategy into meaningful business impact.

In this episode, we sit down with Eric Drummer, a seasoned Software Engineering Executive and current Chief Technology Officer, to discuss engineering leadership, cloud innovation, DevOps, and what it takes to transform technology organizations for long-term success. With more than 20 years of experience leading engineering teams and architecting scalable cloud systems, Eric shares lessons from turning around struggling organizations, modernizing infrastructure, and building cultures focused on quality, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Tune in as we dive into:🔹 Eric’s career journey and approach to engineering leadership🔹 Transforming engineering organizations through people, process, and technology🔹 Advice for technology professionals and leaders navigating growth and organizational change
An insightful conversation with a technology leader who combines deep technical expertise with a people-first approach to building high-performing engineering organizations and delivering scalable, reliable technology solutions.

In this episode, we sit down with Adrienne Nakamura, Founder and Principal Consultant of Kizuna Impact Group, to discuss strategy, operational transformation, and what it takes to turn big-picture goals into focused execution and measurable results. With extensive experience leading enterprise transformation across healthcare staffing, private equity-backed organizations, and global operations, Adrienne shares a practical perspective on navigating growth, complexity, and organizational change.
Tune in as we dive into:🔹 Adrienne’s career journey and approach to strategic leadership🔹 Turning enterprise strategy into clear priorities, accountability, and action🔹 Advice for leaders navigating growth, change, and organizational complexity
An insightful conversation with a strategic operations leader who brings clarity, structure, and disciplined execution to complex challenges—and helps organizations turn strategy into meaningful impact.

In this episode, we sit down with Krystal Mitchell, Senior Manager of Software Engineering at GitHub, to discuss engineering leadership, innovation at scale, and building high-performing teams in today's rapidly evolving technology landscape. With more than 25 years of experience spanning GitHub, Adobe, New Relic, and entrepreneurship, Krystal shares insights on leading through change, leveraging data-driven decision-making, and delivering secure, scalable solutions that empower organizations to innovate.
Tune in as we dive into:🔹 Krystal's career journey and leadership philosophy🔹 Building resilient engineering teams and fostering a culture of innovation🔹 Advice for technology professionals looking to grow their careers and lead with confidence
An inspiring conversation with a technology leader who is passionate about developing people, driving innovation, and creating engineering organizations that deliver meaningful impact at scale.

In this episode, we sit down with Curtis Duty, Director of Talent Acquisition and Operations at PointClickCare, to discuss the evolution of talent acquisition, operational leadership, and building high-performing teams in today's competitive business landscape. Drawing on years of experience leading recruiting and operations across organizations like PointClickCare and Vivint, Curtis shares valuable insights on aligning people’s strategies with business objectives and creating scalable talent solutions.
Tune in as we dive into:🔹 Curtis's career journey and leadership approach🔹 The evolving role of talent acquisition in driving business success🔹 Advice for professionals looking to grow their careers and lead with purpose
An insightful conversation with an experienced HR and talent acquisition leader who is passionate about developing people, optimizing operations, and helping organizations build the teams that power long-term success.

In this episode, we sit down with Nick Baguley, an AI technology executive, entrepreneur / consultant, and most recently the CTO of DeepSee.ai, to explore the rapidly evolving world of agentic AI, enterprise innovation, and the future of intelligent systems. Nick shares insights from his journey. One that began with him truly starting from the bottom to leading AI initiatives across capital markets, open banking, and emerging AI ventures. Nick offers a unique perspective. Both on what it takes to build trusted, scalable AI solutions in highly regulated industries, as well as the future of solving problems with intelligent (and possibly conscious) machines. 
Tune in as we dive into:🔹 Nick’s personal / career journey🔹 The rise of machine intelligence and what it means for the future🔹 Advice for technology leaders and innovators looking to stay relevant in the age of AI
An engaging conversation with a visionary technology leader who is helping shape the future of artificial intelligence, empowering organizations to move beyond experimentation and confidently embrace the next wave of innovation.

In this episode, we sit down with Bobby Aragon, Talent Acquisition Manager at Traeger Inc., to discuss the evolving role of talent acquisition and how strategic hiring drives organizational success. Bobby shares insights from his career journey, including building a recruiting firm, leading high-performing recruiting teams, and partnering with executives to align talent strategies with long-term business objectives.
Tune in as we dive into:🔹 Bobby’s career path and approach to talent acquisition leadership🔹 The importance of building scalable recruiting strategies that support business growth🔹 Advice for professionals looking to attract, develop, and retain top talent
An insightful conversation with a recruiting leader who combines strategic vision with hands-on expertise, helping organizations unlock their full potential by hiring the right talent at the right time.

In this episode, we sit down with Melanie Paris Jones, CEO of the Women’s Leadership Institute, to discuss leadership, organizational culture, and the power of communication in driving meaningful change. Melanie shares insights from her diverse career spanning manufacturing, media, beauty, and the nonprofit sector, offering a thoughtful perspective on building strong teams, navigating complexity, and creating environments where everyone can thrive.
Tune in as we dive into:🔹 Melanie’s career journey and leadership philosophy🔹 How storytelling helps leaders create clarity and inspire action🔹 Advice for professionals looking to grow, lead with purpose, and make a lasting impact
An insightful conversation with a leader dedicated to elevating others, fostering meaningful connections, and building workplaces where people feel seen, heard, and empowered to lead.

In this episode, we sit down with Sam Belnap, a seasoned technology and operations executive with more than 25 years of experience in IT leadership, systems management, and operational strategy. Sam shares insights from his extensive career journey, including his leadership roles at SILAC Insurance Company, and discusses how organizations can better align technology, people, and business objectives to drive long-term success.
Tune in as we dive into:🔹 Sam’s career path and leadership philosophy🔹 How businesses can turn technology into a strategic advantage🔹 Advice for professionals looking to lead collaborative teams and create meaningful impact
An insightful and inspiring conversation with a technology and operations leader focused on innovation, resilience, and building people-centered solutions that move businesses forward.