In this episode, Ann Dunkin, Chief Information Officer at the Department of Energy, shares her inspiring journey across the corporate and government sectors. Ann discusses her leadership philosophy, the critical role of AI in reshaping energy and infrastructure, and the importance of diversity and collaboration. Whether you're a leader, tech enthusiast, or advocate for change, this episode offers invaluable insights and wisdom.

Summary
How do leaders navigate innovation in today’s complex landscape? Balancing modernization, sustainability, and human connection is no small feat—but Ann Dunkin shows us how it’s done.

Ann discusses her journey as CIO at the Department of Energy, exploring the intersections of leadership, technology, and organizational culture. Key topics include:

• Personal Influence and Leadership: Lessons from Hewlett-Packard and the HP Way.
• Innovation in Government: Modernizing systems with Workday and AI-driven grid management.
• Navigating Complexity: Fostering partnerships and managing diverse stakeholders.
• AI’s Role in the Future: Streamlining permitting and revolutionizing energy research.
• Workplace Culture and Diversity: Creating an inclusive, mission-driven environment.

Gain inspiration from a leader bridging technology and purpose!

About Ann Dunkin:
Ann Dunkin is the Chief Information Officer at the U.S. Department of Energy, where she leads efforts in modernization, cybersecurity, and AI. Previously, she was CIO at the EPA during the Obama administration and began her career at Hewlett-Packard, where the “HP Way” shaped her leadership style.

Show Notes:

• (0:00) Introduction and Ann’s career journey
• (3:21) Lessons from the HP Way and early influences
• (10:20) Transitioning to public sector leadership
• (22:59) Modernizing systems and addressing cybersecurity
• (29:12) AI’s role in energy grid innovation
• (36:24) Small modular reactors and clean energy
• (44:18) Building motivated teams and workplace satisfaction
• (54:34) Ann’s passions: books, Georgia Tech football, Formula One

References:

• One Mile at a Time - Travel Blog
• Washington Post 7 Podcast
• Marketplace Podcast
• Women Who Code
• Regulations.gov
• Make Me Smart Podcast
• Formula One Official Site

In today’s episode, futurist David Mattin, co-founder of The Exponentialist, discusses the evolving role of technology in shaping human behavior. From AI to robotics, David shares insights into how these innovations fulfill timeless human desires and the ethical challenges they bring. Whether you’re leading a business or exploring future trends, David offers practical advice on harnessing technology to drive meaningful change.

We all wish we had a better grasp on upcoming trends. Better yet, wouldn’t it be great to have a framework to anticipate trends, i.e. see into the future? If so, you'll love futurist, David Mattin. Among other topics, David and I cover:

• What is the critical role of understanding human needs in predicting the future?

• What is the evolving relationship between technology and human behavior?

• How are technologies like AI are not just tools but partners in fulfilling age-old human desires like connection, status, and convenience?

• What are the ethical challenges of rapid innovation, the decentralization of AI, and its impact on governance, creativity, and the workplace?

I hope you enjoy David’s thought-provoking perspectives and roadmap for thriving in a world shaped by exponential technological change!

David’s Bio:

David Mattin writes about the trends, ideas, innovations, and people set to reshape our shared future.

His work delves into the evolving relationship between technology and human behavior. With a rich background in journalism and history, David transitioned from covering technological revolutions at The Times to consulting global brands on the impact of emerging innovations. He is also co-founder of The Exponentialist, a research service created with RealVision that explores the exponential age of technology. David is passionate about helping individuals and organizations navigate transformative trends in AI, robotics, and beyond.

He gives practical and inspiring talks that bring these ideas to life and works with leading organisations to orient their innovation around the trends and futures scenarios that matter.

At the heart of his work is an attempt to understand this version of technological modernity. What is its nature? Where is it leading us? How can we make that future better for everyone?

His writing has appeared everywhere from The Times, to Quartz, to Google Think Quarterly, and David has written and presented documentaries for BBC Radio 4. Previously, David sat on the World Economic Forum's Global Future Council on Consumption.

The intricacies of entrepreneurship and scaling a startup are massive – from hiring talent to raising capital to securing customers, the clock is often the enemy. Today, we dive into the life of launching and running a startup with Eleonore Crespo, CEO of Pigment, a fast-growth company based in Paris. Eleonore and I discuss the rewards of leadership and taking care of your teams (and yourself and family!), aimed at providing valuable insights, whether you sit in the founder's seat at a startup or are scaling a new project within a Fortune 100 company. We cover the following topics:

• Work-Life Balance: Eleonore shares her journey of managing a growing business while balancing family life, emphasizing the non-traditional hours and dedication it requires.
• Motivation and Growth: We discuss how personal motivation, influences, and expectations can be your guideposts as things scale.
• Leadership Philosophy: Eleonore discusses advice she receives from seasoned leaders (she has several top leaders in Silicon Valley on speed dial)
• Team Dynamics: She highlights the significance of creating a supportive environment, where work ethic sets the tone
• Long-Term Vision: We explore the importance of sustainable growth strategies and the patience required for building a successful organization.

I hope you enjoy the insights and experiences from one of my inspiring leaders, Eleonore Crespo!

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About Eleonore:

Eléonore Crespo is a dynamic leader and co-founder of Pigment, a business planning platform designed to empower organizations to make better, faster decisions in an ever-evolving landscape. Built for agility and scale, Pigment connects people, data, and processes in one elegant, feature-rich platform that allows planners in every department to prepare for any eventuality. The company is trusted by industry-leading companies around the world including Unilever, Merck, Klarna, Miro, and Poshmark.

Before launching Pigment, Eléonore was an investor at Index Ventures, where she collaborated closely with entrepreneurs and led investments in innovative companies such as Alan, Spendesk, Swile, and Slite. Her prior experience includes a significant role as a senior analyst at Google, where she reported directly to the EMEA president and CFO, focusing on strategic planning and initiatives.

Eléonore holds a background in quantum physics and engineering, having studied at the prestigious École Normale Supérieure and the École Nationale Supérieure des Mines, two of France's most competitive institutions of higher education. Her unique blend of technical expertise and entrepreneurial insight positions her as a prominent figure in the business planning landscape.