The Brand Called You

In this episode of The Brand Called You, we explore the world of social impact, technology, and innovation with Darlene Damm, Faculty Chair and VP of Community and Impact at Singularity University. Drawing on her remarkable journey across Singularity University, Ashoka, the World Bank, and pioneering ventures in impact technology, Darlene shares how growing up in a small rural community—and learning from visionary mentors—shaped her mission to create meaningful global change.

Discover valuable insights into systems-changing entrepreneurship, the founding of pioneering ventures such as Matternet and DIY Rockets, and the use of technology to solve humanitarian challenges in collaboration with organizations including the World Food Program. The conversation also explores the power of combinatorial thinking, the rise of exponential technologies, and how AI, robotics, biotechnology, and predictive technologies are transforming industries and societies.

Packed with inspiring stories, practical advice, and thought-provoking ideas, this episode is essential viewing for entrepreneurs, innovators, technology leaders, social impact professionals, and anyone passionate about building a better future through innovation.

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Unlock the inspiring journey of Anusha Nerella, a seasoned technology leader, Member of the Forbes Technology Council, Microsoft MVP, and advocate for responsible AI, in this insightful episode of The Brand Called You.

Anusha shares her remarkable journey from rural India to leading global technology initiatives across financial services and the public sector. She discusses her work in AI, automation, digital transformation, and enterprise modernization at organizations including Barclays, Citibank, and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Discover the pivotal moments that shaped her career, the resilience that fueled her success, and her contributions to professional communities such as IEEE and ACM. The conversation also explores the rapidly evolving world of generative AI, responsible AI governance, agentic AI, enterprise transformation, and the future of ethical technology.

Whether you're an aspiring technologist, an AI enthusiast, or a leader navigating digital transformation, Anusha's experiences and practical advice will inspire you to embrace lifelong learning, lead with integrity, and make a meaningful impact.

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In this insightful episode of The Brand Called You, we sit down with Alain Chetrit, Co-founder and Chairman Emeritus of LabConnect, to explore his remarkable journey across multiple industries, including fashion, telecommunications, finance, and healthcare.

Alain shares the story behind the Knowledge Impact Network and the Knowledge Pledge Community, explaining how these initiatives harness the collective expertise and networks of global leaders to create meaningful social impact. He also discusses how YPO (Young Presidents' Organization) empowers both members and non-members to drive positive change around the world.

Discover how leadership, innovation, and collaboration can be transformed into purpose-driven action through initiatives focused on plastics and human health, clean water access in Africa, women's entrepreneurship, AI in education, and much more.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, business leader, changemaker, or someone passionate about creating lasting impact, this conversation offers valuable insights and practical inspiration.

Join us for an insightful episode of The Brand Called You, where Ashutosh Garg speaks with Elizabeth Rosenberg, Global Marketing and Communications Advisor, about personal branding, authentic leadership, intuitive intelligence, and the future of leadership in an AI-driven world.

Elizabeth shares her entrepreneurial journey, practical strategies for helping senior executives build authentic personal brands, and why intuition, emotional intelligence, and critical thinking are becoming increasingly valuable in today's rapidly evolving workplace.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why authenticity is the foundation of a strong personal brand.

• How setbacks can become powerful catalysts for personal and professional growth.

• Practical ways leaders can strengthen their intuition.

• Why executive women benefit from building strong communities.

• The uniquely human qualities that will define successful leaders in the age of AI.

• How purpose evolves throughout life and leads to meaningful success.

In this episode of TBCY, we sit down with Richard Barnes, Founder & CEO of Select Research and the visionary behind the groundbreaking Body Volume Index (BVI). Richard shares his journey from pioneering body-shape imaging in retail to revolutionizing health assessment with BVI—a powerful alternative to the nearly 200-year-old Body Mass Index (BMI). Discover how BVI leverages advanced imaging, MRI technology, and smartphone technology to deliver personalized health metrics, offering deeper insights for individuals, healthcare professionals, and organizations worldwide.

Learn about the research collaborations with the CDC, the Mayo Clinic, and global health organizations, and discover how BVI is reshaping health risk prediction, especially with the rise of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs and the expanding capabilities of AI. Richard also discusses adoption challenges, regulatory considerations, insurance implications, and the future of personalized health measurement.

Interested in the intersection of health technology, AI, and public health? This episode is a must-watch!

In this episode of The Brand Called You, we welcome Justin Byers, Founder & CEO of Axio BioPharma, for an insightful discussion on transforming the biopharma industry through data coordination and infrastructure innovation. The conversation focused on lessons from Justin’s experience at leading pharmaceutical companies, the challenges of fragmented process data, and why connecting siloed systems—not the science itself—is the industry's greatest hurdle.

The discussion explored how a unique combination of biotechnology and cybersecurity expertise shaped Axio BioPharma’s federated, vendor-neutral architecture. One key concept was the importance of providing a coordination layer that enables AI models to reach their full potential by connecting and structuring high-quality data across multiple platforms.

A key theme that emerged was the importance of neutrality and trust when handling sensitive pharmaceutical data, and why large manufacturers cannot easily serve as neutral coordination layers. The conversation also explored the technical challenges of standardizing data across disparate systems, the parallels between the future of biomanufacturing and financial networks, and the value of firsthand operational experience.

Tune in to discover how Justin and Axio BioPharma are bridging operational realities with digital innovation to accelerate breakthroughs in pharmaceutical manufacturing and AI-driven process development.

In this insightful episode of The Brand Called You, Ashutosh Garg speaks with Shanil Ebrahim, Partner and Head of AI Strategy at Deloitte Canada, about the evolving role of artificial intelligence in business. Shanil shares his expertise on what defines an effective AI strategy, why many organizations struggle to scale AI beyond pilot projects, and why leadership in the AI era requires a hands-on approach.

Discover why successful AI adoption is about far more than technology—it requires transforming business operations, organizational culture, and decision-making processes. Shanil also discusses the importance of data governance, the impact of agentic AI on executive leadership, and how leaders can develop the skills needed to work effectively alongside intelligent systems. Learn what sets AI-native organizations apart and gain practical advice for leading in an AI-first world.

Whether you're a business leader, technology professional, or simply curious about the future of AI in organizations, this episode is packed with actionable insights.

Welcome to this episode of The Brand Called You, featuring Michael Ambrosino, Partner at Access Ventures. In this in-depth conversation with Stephen Ibaraki, Michael shares his journey from a passionate young athlete in the Bronx to a top-performing sales professional and, ultimately, a leading figure in tech talent acquisition and venture capital.

Discover how pivotal childhood experiences, mentorship, and a relentless commitment to self-improvement shaped his remarkable career. Michael reflects on overcoming setbacks, developing resilience, and building an internal mindset that enabled him to thrive across multiple industries.

The conversation also explores startup culture, scaling high-performance teams, venture capital, and the rapidly evolving AI landscape. Michael offers practical advice for founders, investors, and professionals on leadership, hiring exceptional talent, embracing innovation, and preparing for an AI-driven future.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, startup leader, or lifelong learner, this episode is filled with actionable insights on resilience, continuous learning, leadership, and building lasting success.

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Discover the remarkable journey and visionary leadership of Prof. Chua Kee Chaing, President of the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), in this insightful episode of The Brand Called You (TBCY).

The conversation traces Prof. Chua's inspiring path—from becoming the first member of his family to attend university to leading Singapore's first university of applied learning. Along the way, he shares lessons from his career in academia, research, industry collaboration, and national innovation.

A central theme of the discussion is how higher education must evolve to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world. Prof. Chua explains how SIT is redefining applied learning through deep industry partnerships, work-integrated education, and innovative teaching models that prepare graduates for real-world challenges.

The episode also explores SIT's groundbreaking initiatives, including Singapore's first Competency-Based Stackable Micro-Credential Pathway, designed to support lifelong learning, continuous upskilling and reskilling, and flexible educational journeys for learners at every stage of their careers.

Several important topics are discussed, including the university's Learn for Life initiative, the new campus at Punggol Digital District, and SIT's long-term vision of becoming a Platform University by 2034. Prof. Chua also shares why universities must become lifelong partners in career development and how stronger collaboration between academia and industry can help shape the future workforce.

Watch this episode to discover how SIT is setting a new benchmark for applied learning and why lifelong education will be essential for future generations.

In this episode of The Brand Called You (TBCY), Stephen Ibaraki speaks with Jan Romportl, PhD, CEO & Co-Founder of Elin.ai, about his remarkable journey through applied linguistics, cybernetics, philosophy, and artificial intelligence.

The conversation explores how Jan has bridged the gap between cutting-edge AI research and real-world applications, drawing on an interdisciplinary approach that combines philosophy, cognitive science, neuroscience, and technology. From his early fascination with programming to the rapid evolution of large language models, Jan shares insights into the future of AI, digital well-being, and Artificial General Intelligence (AGI).

A central theme of the discussion is the growing need to protect young people in the digital age. Jan explains the motivation behind founding Elin.ai and introduces the concept of cognitive antivirus—AI-powered technology designed to help safeguard children from the harmful effects of social media algorithms while supporting healthier digital habits.

The episode also examines the ethical implications of AI, responsible data use, machine consciousness, AI alignment, and the future trajectory of increasingly capable intelligent systems. Jan shares his perspectives on the opportunities, challenges, and responsibilities that accompany the next generation of AI technologies.

Whether you're fascinated by the philosophical questions surrounding AI consciousness or interested in practical applications that improve digital safety and mental well-being, this episode offers valuable insights into one of today's most important technological conversations.