The Cyber Business Podcast

In this episode… Maximo Bredfeldt shares his unique perspective on leadership, IT, and the power of confidence. Drawing on years of experience, Maximo explains the challenges of scaling IT systems for a logistics company like Longship, emphasizing the importance of moving beyond a small-business mindset. He highlights how IT must not only support business processes but also enhance them to avoid scaling inefficiencies. Maximo dives into the role of failure in building resilience, recounting a pivotal moment early in his career where failure became a learning experience under the guidance of a supportive leader. He explains how great leadership allows for teachable moments, even in high-pressure situations, and why it’s crucial for IT professionals to celebrate their successes. The conversation also explores the cultural differences between workplaces in Germany, South America, and the United States. Maximo reflects on how varying attitudes toward work and personal life shape employee satisfaction and success. Through stories of mentorship, Maximo underscores the value of building relationships, seeking guidance, and fostering a culture of accountability and pride in the workplace. Lastly, Maximo opens up about his own leadership journey, sharing how he’s building a “dream team” at Longship and inspiring others to pursue their goals with confidence. Whether you’re an aspiring IT leader or an established professional, this episode is packed with actionable insights and motivation to take the next step in your career.

Briana Brown shares how De Nova Collaborative Health leverages technology to provide exceptional patient experiences. Even during the pandemic, De Nova adapted swiftly, growing its virtual healthcare capabilities and maintaining patient trust. With locations expanding across Arizona and a heavy focus on virtual care, the organization ensures flexibility and accessibility for its patients. A key theme in this episode is the integration of AI in healthcare. Briana highlights how AI can assist providers by automating documentation, improving efficiency, and enhancing patient interaction. This focus on technology not only supports healthcare professionals but also ensures patients feel prioritized during visits. Briana also emphasizes the importance of people, process, and technology in creating a successful work environment. She discusses the balance between remote work and in-office collaboration, noting the unique benefits of team bonding in-person and the productivity gains from working remotely. Reflecting on her journey, Briana illustrates how her diverse background in operations and healthcare shaped her IT leadership philosophy. Her dedication to improving processes and focusing on mission-driven results makes her a standout leader in the healthcare IT space.

In this episode… Bradley Enneking discusses the monumental task of consolidating 36 acquired banks into a unified operating company under the HTLF brand. He shares how standardizing processes across 11 distinct brands was the most challenging yet rewarding aspect of the transformation. While unifying technology was relatively straightforward, Bradley emphasizes that change management and aligning processes were key to success. Drawing from his extensive experience, Bradley provides actionable advice on gaining executive buy-in for IT projects. He highlights the importance of focusing on the “why” behind initiatives, using analogies and storytelling to bridge the gap between technical teams and non-technical leadership. His approach fosters collaboration and ensures alignment with business goals, creating a cohesive and motivated team. On the topic of AI, Bradley offers a pragmatic perspective. He describes HTLF’s exploration of generative AI and machine learning, focusing on practical applications like predictive analytics, data governance, and natural language processing. Bradley advises using the current AI hype cycle to build foundational technologies and warns against seeing AI as a universal solution. Instead, he views AI as a tool to enhance efficiency and decision-making in regulated industries like banking. Bradley also shares his leadership philosophy, emphasizing empowerment and accountability. By encouraging team members to take ownership of their roles, he fosters innovation and career growth while building a culture of trust and collaboration.

In this episode… Erich Gazaui discusses Papa's mission to combat the loneliness epidemic affecting senior citizens. With services offered nationwide, Papa leverages Medicare Advantage to provide companionship through its network of Pals, creating meaningful connections that improve seniors’ mental and physical health. Erich explains how the company operates remotely while maintaining a personal touch, ensuring that Pals and members have seamless access to their proprietary platform. Erich dives into the challenges and solutions of managing HIPAA compliance, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding sensitive information through rigorous internal processes and external consultations. He also shares the journey behind building Papa’s technology stack, combining proprietary systems with enterprise-grade solutions to ensure scalability and efficiency. Drawing from his own career path, Erich reflects on the non-linear journey to becoming a CIO, starting with his passion for technology through video games. He highlights the importance of mentorship and community, underscoring his commitment to fostering leadership through groups like Inspire, where CIOs can share challenges and solutions in a supportive, commercial-free environment. Finally, Erich provides actionable insights on creating a chat-first organizational culture, leveraging short, relevant training modules, and managing notifications to boost productivity. His experiences illustrate how IT leaders can drive innovation while maintaining a focus on mission and values.

In this episode… Noel Toal sheds light on how DPV Health seamlessly merges its mission of community care with operational efficiency through innovative technology. Noel explains DPV Health’s nonprofit funding model, supported by federal and state governments, and how the organization invests in ICT to optimize resources and deliver critical services to Melbourne’s socioeconomically vulnerable populations. Noel delves into the critical role of AI at DPV Health, emphasizing its potential to streamline clinician workloads by automating administrative tasks. He discusses the organization's sentiment analysis for contact centers and predictive modeling for appointment scheduling, which have significantly improved patient and staff experiences. Additionally, Noel shares insights on leveraging Microsoft Dynamics to unify siloed healthcare data and create a more holistic view of patient care. This innovative use of CRM technology enhances efficiency, ensuring patients receive tailored care while reducing redundancies. His vision for integrated healthcare data across sectors paints a promising future for improving patient outcomes and operational coordination. Noel also compares Australia’s healthcare system with international models, highlighting its focus on universal care and government-funded programs like the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). He outlines how DPV Health uses these resources to provide equitable care while navigating budget constraints through ICT-driven efficiencies.

In This Episode: Kevin Heineman shares his experience as the Chief Information Security Officer at Lyric, a company he describes as a "30-year-old startup." Kevin explains Lyric's transition from being part of Change Healthcare to becoming an independent entity focused on payment integrity for major health insurance carriers. He dives into the company’s foundational approach to security, including leveraging the NIST cybersecurity framework to establish robust governance, endpoint security, and monitoring systems. Kevin highlights Lyric’s unique approach to integrating AI—not as a general tool like ChatGPT, but as a bespoke solution tailored to healthcare data. He underscores the importance of building secure AI models by focusing on data governance, input-output controls, and ongoing monitoring. His reflections on navigating a fully remote organization, alongside the company’s emphasis on recruiting talent nationwide, provide valuable insights for modern businesses. From his early days in consulting to his current role, Kevin discusses the value of adaptability and continuous learning. He shares his take on the future of AI and the need to embrace it as a productivity tool rather than a replacement for critical thinking or technical skills. With his coined term "AI obesity," Kevin warns against over-reliance on technology and emphasizes a balanced, responsible approach to innovation.

In this episode, Matthew Connor sits down with Jason Ledney, the IT Manager at Saint Vincent de Paul of Baltimore, who shares insights on managing IT for a nonprofit with diverse operational needs. Jason explains how the organization serves various underprivileged groups through Head Start programs, homeless shelters, veteran support, and more, creating unique IT requirements for each division. He elaborates on the challenges of balancing security and accessibility across these services, highlighting the importance of adhering to compliance standards like HIPAA and FERPA to protect sensitive data. Jason also discusses the financial constraints nonprofits face, especially in IT and cybersecurity. With a grant-based budget, prioritizing cybersecurity initiatives is crucial, yet difficult. Jason shares how he navigates these challenges by maximizing his team’s resources, strategically outsourcing, and educating colleagues on cybersecurity hygiene. His MSP experience brings a fresh perspective to internal IT management, allowing him to view each department as its own client, ensuring customized and efficient support. As cybersecurity threats become increasingly sophisticated, Jason emphasizes the importance of cyber-awareness for all employees, drawing on real-world examples like the dangers of QR code scams. He discusses the risks posed by advancements in AI-driven threats, such as deepfake voice and video scams, and the need for robust identity verification measures. Wrapping up, Jason shares his nontraditional career path from music teacher to IT professional, underscoring the value of adaptability in today’s tech landscape.

In This Episode In this episode, Matthew Connor hosts Christos Ruci, CIO of Limbach, as they discuss the critical overlap between infrastructure and cybersecurity. Christos shares his unique career path—from AOL customer support to CIO of a national building solutions provider—highlighting how each role shaped his approach to IT leadership. At Limbach, he has adopted a business-first perspective, ensuring that every technology decision aligns with company strategy and mission. A central focus of the conversation is Christos’s proactive approach to cybersecurity, especially his effective use of tabletop exercises. Recognizing the impact of a potential cyber incident on critical environments like hospitals and data centers, he organized a comprehensive tabletop exercise with Limbach’s C-level executives and board members. This hands-on method created urgency and buy-in, setting the foundation for Limbach’s robust three-year cybersecurity strategy. Christos also discusses the importance of fostering a security-conscious company culture, with regular phishing tests and cybersecurity training emphasized from the top down. Supporting his mission, he collaborates with Inspire CIO, a peer-led organization that fosters professional growth and shared industry wisdom. Christos advocates for a balanced approach that leverages both internal development and external expertise, enhancing Limbach’s cybersecurity resilience and operational success.

In this episode, Matthew Connor engages with J.D. Whitlock, Chief Information Officer of Dayton Children’s Hospital, to explore the unique demands of nonprofit healthcare technology. J.D. shares his career journey from Navy officer to healthcare administrator, and finally to CIO, where his strategic approach drives the hospital’s technological and security advancements. In a nonprofit setting, he faces the dual challenge of maintaining high standards in technology while working within resource limitations, always balancing the mission of patient care with the need for robust cybersecurity. J.D. offers an in-depth perspective on the financial challenges in healthcare, particularly as labor costs have surged post-pandemic. He explains how essential donor support is for expanding critical services like adolescent behavioral health. Emphasizing cybersecurity, he details how Dayton Children's employs active monitoring and risk assessment to safeguard against potential breaches, a necessity as hospitals are increasingly targeted by ransomware attacks. Additionally, J.D. reflects on his consulting work, where he assists health tech startups in understanding the complexities of entering the healthcare market. His insights provide a valuable guide for companies aiming to navigate the healthcare landscape. In closing, J.D. speaks to his mission-driven role, where his commitment extends beyond IT to foster a culture centered on patient safety, resilience, and care—a focus he and his team uphold every day.

In this episode… Sarfraz Shaikh shares his unique journey from working in marketing and communications to leading the IT department at One Mesa. With an educational background in IT, Sarfraz was able to leverage his technical knowledge and communication skills to help shape the company’s IT strategies during a time of growth. Starting in a loosely structured environment, Sarfraz played a crucial role in developing a more formalized IT department, building a roadmap for the company’s hardware, software, and cybersecurity needs. He emphasizes the importance of alignment between IT and business objectives, especially in an industry as dynamic as oil and gas, where One Mesa operates across three distinct business units. Sarfraz also dives into the value of frameworks like the ISO 9001 certification and the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, explaining how they provide a structured approach to managing risk and improving processes across the organization. He describes how these standards ensure not only compliance but also foster continuous improvement, pushing the company to measure and demonstrate real results. In addition, Sarfraz discusses the concept of “strategic agility,” where IT teams must stay nimble and responsive to rapidly changing technological landscapes. He highlights the intersection of agility and compliance, noting that IT departments must act as enablers, supporting the company’s growth while maintaining strong cybersecurity measures. By understanding industry trends and focusing on collaboration across departments, Sarfraz has been able to implement solutions that drive efficiency and security while adapting to new challenges.