Tone from the Top

Lessons from a CIO—Transforming Industries with AI and Automation

In this episode of Tone from the Top, we explore the extraordinary career of Kumud Kokal, whose journey includes transformative roles at Intuit, Airbnb, Stitch Fix, and Farmer’s Business Network (FBN), where he drove groundbreaking technology innovation and operational excellence.
From re-imagining supply chain management with algorithms at Stitch Fix to developing “Norm,” the world’s first AI-powered agronomist, Kumud reveals how AI, machine learning, and generative AI are reshaping industries. He shares practical applications, such as automating onboarding processes, optimizing inventory management with machine learning algorithms, training AI-powered chatbots, and addressing challenges like combating misinformation and mitigating cybersecurity risks in the AI era.
Join us as Kumud reflects on his career, offering insights into the balance of luck and hard work, the value of adaptability, and his vision for the future of technology and AI. Whether you're an aspiring CIO or intrigued by the intersection of technology and business, this episode delivers inspiration and actionable takeaways.

From Military to Nuclear Energy: An Unconventional Path to C-Suite

In this episode of Tone from the Top, I dive deep into the world of nuclear innovation with Malcolm Thompson, COO of Deep Fission. As a company transforming nuclear energy with small modular reactors (SMRs) one mile underground, Deep Fission is taking bold strides to make clean energy safer and more accessible. Mal walks us through their groundbreaking reactor technology, tackling the environmental, safety, and regulatory challenges that come with commercializing a new energy source, raising capital, and managing a complex supply chain.
We also explore his unique journey from Green Beret to Harvard Business School, followed by a dynamic career in finance, in Investment Banking and Family Office, followed by executive leadership roles as CFO, CEO, and now COO. Throughout, Mal shares powerful leadership insights into building a trusted team, and leading through uncertainty. His humor, humility, and emphasis on caring for your team bring valuable lessons for leaders across industries.
Tune in for a fascinating conversation on innovation, resilience, and how to drive big ideas forward with authenticity.

Relationship Building: The Key to Career Success with Rachel Bell

In this episode of Tone from the Top, I sit down with Rachel Bell, former Head of Global Risk and Internal Audit at Airbnb, VP and Controller at Virgin America, and Managing Director at Protiviti. Rachel reflects on her diverse career, spanning consulting, the airline industry, and a global hospitality platform that’s transformed the way we travel.
A central theme throughout our conversation is the power of building relationships. From an unforgettable dance party with Richard Branson to leading IPO readiness and year-one SOX compliance, Rachel shares how strong connections paved the way for success. She also dives into her transition into Controllership, where she led the merger between Virgin America and Alaska Airlines, and later spearheaded Global Risk at Airbnb during its IPO journey.
Tune in for Rachel’s insights on leadership, career transitions, and the importance of relationship-building in driving transformational change.

From Uber IPO to $1B AI Fundraise: Josh's Secrets to Success

In this episode of Tone from the Top, I sit down with Josh Waldron, the former Controller at Uber who played a pivotal role during their IPO. Now at ScaleAI, Josh shares his expertise on leading major financial transactions, including acquisitions and divestitures, and how he helped scale operations at Uber.
Discover the key lessons Josh learned from implementing Oracle during Uber’s rapid growth, and how automation and cashflow management are driving ScaleAI’s success today. Whether you're navigating an IPO, scaling your business, or looking to optimize back-office operations through automation, this episode is packed with actionable insights for financial leaders and executives.
Tune in to learn from Josh's experience, from Uber’s IPO journey to scaling operations at one of the fastest-growing tech companies in the AI space.

Cyber Odyssey: From Hacking to Entrepreneurship

Learn about cybersecurity from the master himself, Matt Devost. I am honored to speak with Matt, who pioneered the cybersecurity industry when he was the first to hack his way onto an aircraft carrier. He revolutionized red teaming — to give an example of what this means, his team created money (yes, actual money) to deposit into their client's bank account, so they could then steal it, to prove where they had vulnerabilities.
This even impressed Accenture, who bought his company and asked him to lead their global cyber defense practice. Matt is a serial entrepreneur, currently the CEO & Co-Founder of OODA, holds several board director and advisory positions, and is an active early-stage investor and founder of the Hack Factory start-up studio.

Philippa Girling: Leading Change with Authenticity and Diversity

Welcome to Tone from the Top. I believe that transformative change starts with a tone set by leadership. I'm your host, Summer Ireland, and together we'll dive into the journeys of incredible leaders from world-changing companies. My hope is that through their stories of success and the challenges they've overcome, you'll gain insights and inspiration to shape your own leadership journey.
In this episode, I'm thrilled to welcome Philippa Girling, whose insights have completely changed my mindset on how to effectively drive transformations. Philippa spent over 25 years in the financial services industry, serving in various leadership roles. She is now the Chair and CEO at Camp Panier, a company focused on creating equitable spaces for women.
Philippa emphasizes the importance of building diverse teams with a growth mindset and creating inclusive spaces because people perform at their best when they can show up as their authentic selves. We explore her journey from traditional banking to leading Varo Bank through its transformation to become the first neobank to attain a national bank charter.
Philippa offers valuable advice to leaders on amplifying their voice for others, being vulnerable and authentic, and surrounding yourself with the right team. We also delve into how emotions can be leveraged as a superpower for leaders. She provides tactical guidance on implementing a change management framework, addressing resistors of change, and building champions for change.
Listeners will gain valuable insights into building diverse, high-performing teams to effectively manage change and risk while learning how to create inclusive environments that foster genuine connections. Tune in to discover more about Philippa’s journey and her unique approach to leadership.