Author: CIO Business Leaders

John Van Hoogstraten is Managing Director and Founder of Straten Consulting Services Limited (Straten CSL) (www.stratencsl.com), an international aviation consultancy specializing in ATM, airspace, airports, surveillance, safety, and renewable-energy aviation. His career began in air traffic control in South Africa and spans almost four decades, including senior operational, management, and safety roles in South Africa and the UAE. That journey shapes his perspective on automation, AI, and the future role of the controller. From the Control Room to the Boardroom John’s route into leadership was not through business school, but in an air traffic control room in South Africa, where…

Teaching has never been a part of my original career plan but it has turned out to be one of the most meaningful and rewarding career choices of my professional life. What began as an extension of my work in corporate financial strategy evolved into an opportunity to help finance leaders make better decisions by translating financial complexity into clear, practical insight. It also keeps me deeply engaged with the evolving challenges CFOs face. I see teaching not as a departure from my career but as a natural continuation of it – one that allows me to multiply my impact…

In the 1990s, when finance was dominated by men, Samah Moustafa chose to build her career in the field. With discipline, consistency, and resolve, she maneuvered through complex, obstacle-laden environments, absorbed valuable lessons, and rose steadily into senior leadership. Today, as Group Chief Financial Officer and Financial Expert at Go Behavioral, she makes decisions that influence the quality of care delivered to children and families. She also ensures that systems, processes, and people are aligned to deliver long-term value and organizational stability. Leadership Style Shaped by Early Experiences In 1997, Samah began her career in Egypt’s finance sector. “Entering that…

Marie-Josée Lafontaine is a senior living innovator, entrepreneur, and advocate for transforming how society views aging. As a second-generation leader in the senior care sector, she continues the legacy of her father, who founded one of Ontario’s pioneering retirement communities in the early 1970s. As the leader of Scarborough Retirement Residence, Lafontaine has redefined what senior living can look like—placing wellness, community, and dignity at its core. She champions an integrated, preventative approach that moves beyond traditional models of care. Through initiatives such as the Vitality Lifestyle Plans and Vitality Clinic model, she is creating pathways for seniors to age…

As wildfire seasons grow longer, more destructive, and increasingly unpredictable, the wildfire suppression industry is under pressure to adopt new tools that improve operational effectiveness while supporting firefighters on the front lines. One technology gaining attention in this evolving landscape is BlazeTamer380, a water-enhancing suppression product designed to improve the performance of water during aerial and ground firefighting operations. Helping guide the strategic growth and adoption of BlazeTamer380 is Erin Fox, Chief of Staff, BLAZETAMER USA whose career has focused on building structure, aligning strategy, and helping innovative companies navigate complex industries. With more than two decades of experience spanning…

Nadia Evora is the founder and CEO of Sal Academy, a leading vocational training institution in Cabo Verde focused on transforming talent into opportunity. Under her leadership, the Academy has become a national reference in professional training, partnerships, and certification. It is also recognised for its human-centred approach. As CEO, Nadia ensures that Sal Academy’s focus is not confined to just training professionals. It shapes leaders, dreamers, and agents of transformation capable of elevating their communities and country. Her aim is to contribute lasting improvements to the national educational ecosystem through innovative methodologies, international partnerships that broaden horizons, fairer certification…

Banking is often seen as a space driven by modern systems and advanced technology. Ruya Community Islamic Bank L.L.C. is changing that perspective by demonstrating that innovation and timeless Islamic principles can work together to deliver exceptional customer-centric experiences. As the Head of Strategy & Products at ruya, Marie d’Halluin is serving as a bridge between the ethical foundation and the technology frontier. She aims to keep connecting these worlds: strategy and design, innovation and integrity, people and purpose. Marie’s task is to ensure that innovation does not outpace authenticity, digital speed never undermines fairness, and every product honours both…

“Bringing real innovation to life is equal parts leadership, mentorship, and management.” So says Dr. Leslie Broudo-Mitts, former head of the Small Business Entrepreneurship Center for high-performance new ventures at the Wharton School. Over the course of her academic and professional career, she observed hundreds of early-stage companies each year studying not just their ideas, but the deeper organizational and leadership dynamics that determined whether those ideas ultimately succeeded or failed. As a woman operating at the highest levels of academia, finance, and entrepreneurship, Dr. Leslie became particularly attuned to how leadership credibility is built not through visibility alone, but…

Being a woman in leadership has so many obstacles, both in the U.S. and in foreign countries. When you see the disparity in pay or recognition, many times it feels like an uphill battle. Ciara Lewin, Owner of Elite Data Hub, wants to be able to help those young female entrepreneurs find their voice and speak loudly about their passion.  She says, “In many countries that we serve, women’s rights are still a hot topic and it’s nice that we have been able to team up with women owned businesses to help them get ahead of their competition and do so proudly as women, mothers,…

Hospitality has always been an industry defined by people, places, and the connections that bring them together. However, behind the scenes, it is also driven by technology and strategy, tools that shape guest experiences and enable hotels and destinations to thrive in an increasingly complex global marketplace. At the center of this intersection is Jan Tissera, Head of Sales International, Global Accounts & Destinations, who also serves as President International for Amadeus’ Hospitality division. In this role, he leads commercial operations across Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America, while overseeing some of the company’s most strategic…