archiveExternal Director Insider

A few years ago, I walked into a meeting and said almost nothing for the first 45 minutes. Not because I didn’t have something to say. But because I realized everyone else at the table had deeper knowledge than I did in that specific moment. And for once, that didn’t...

How Creativity and Care Shape a Career in Medicine. Karen Smolen’s journey began in a Long Island suburb, surrounded by siblings who would go on to become a doctor and an attorney. As the youngest of four, she learned early on how to rely on herself. “As the youngest of...

My friends, we are together again in this hospitable environment of CEOWORLD Magazine. I would like to apologize for being late in responding to your messages. Thank you for supporting my new series of articles on People Development. This is what you had asked me for and which is directly...

Understanding Agentic AI and its capabilities is now essential to lead in this decade and the decades to come. Your ability to grasp this new technology and harness it to the benefit of your company will be your crucial differentiator. Agentic AI is not traditional AI or automation. It gives...

How a Champion Wrestler Became a Trusted CEO in Finance and Industry Bill Clawson didn’t always plan to become a business leader. His early days were spent in wrestling gyms and trapshooting ranges in Missoula, Montana. But the discipline he learned on those fields would shape a long and successful...

A trip to the doctor shouldn’t feel like a logistics puzzle. But for too many patients, accessing care still means navigating long phone wait times, confusing appointment systems, and unclear instructions—all while not feeling well. As industries like retail and fintech continue to perfect seamless, on-demand digital experiences, healthcare is...

In the fast-moving world of employee benefits and consulting, few names carry the quiet strength and steady presence of Kristie Nicodemus. From her early days on the tennis courts of Virginia to her current role as a Senior Business Development Executive at Mercer, Kristie’s journey has been one of adaptability,...

A Life in Music, One Stage at a Time William “Bill” McKay didn’t just fall into music—he built his life around it. From small college shows in Colorado to sharing stages with Southern rock legends, McKay has followed one rule: keep playing. Now based in Colorado, Bill has spent over...

Startups and venture investments primarily involve two strategies: some simply invest money, while others build entire ecosystems. Avag Simonyan belongs to the latter. His work is not just about finding promising projects but about creating connections between them, forming a living, ever-growing network of innovation. "Investing isn’t about money—it’s about...

At a time when cultural and religious divisions often dominate headlines, the quiet work of bridge-builders is especially meaningful. One such figure is Paul-Gordon Chandler—a cultural diplomat, author, and interfaith peacemaker—who has spent much of his career using art to foster understanding across cultures and faith traditions. Through CARAVAN, the...