What if you had to step into a CEO role at just 22, with no formal business training? That’s exactly what Thiago Da Costa did, and he quickly discovered that leadership is best learned on the job. In this episode, Thiago shares what it was like to build and grow a company that Autodesk later acquired, leading teams of up to 300 people and adapting to constant organizational change. He reflects on the lessons learned about authenticity, cultural alignment, and the compromises leaders must navigate to stay true to their values while driving results.

You’ll also hear how Thiago is now leveraging AI to shape the future of work. From hiring and skill development to automating routine tasks, Thiago offers a fascinating look at how AI can enhance—not replace—human leadership. He shares practical insights about using AI for personalized guidance, preparing for tough conversations, and freeing leaders to focus on what matters most: engaging meaningfully with people. His vision of AI as a partner in leadership offers a compelling roadmap for today’s leaders who want to stay relevant in a rapidly changing world.

Thiago is a product visionary, an AI futurist, and a serial entrepreneur. He sold his first company to Autodesk and is now building the future of work with Datagrid, where he’s Founder and CEO. Datagrid is an AI platform that turns your company’s data into intelligent agents. These agents automate workflows, surface real-time insights, and supercharge decision-making.

You’ll discover:

• The hard-earned lessons Thiago acquired as a first-time CEO at 22.
• Why aligning with an organization’s culture and DNA is essential.
• How AI agents are transforming routine business tasks.
• Ways AI can enhance communication and feedback for leaders.
• The future of hiring in an AI-driven workplace.

Watch the episode:

Connect with Thiago

Thiago’s Website

Datagrid.com 

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326: Harnessing AI as a Strategic Thought Partner in Leadership

How can leaders use AI to unlock new levels of strategic thinking and team collaboration? Meredith sits down with Geoff Woods, author of The AI Driven Leader, to explore how AI is transforming leadership and decision-making. Geoff shares his personal journey from fear of AI to embracing it as a powerful tool for growth, offering practical examples of how leaders can use AI to tackle challenges like restructuring debt or addressing toxic workplace dynamics.

Geoff also dives into actionable strategies for empowering teams, including three essential questions every leader should ask to better understand their team’s strengths and needs. Whether you’re a seasoned executive or aspiring leader, this episode will inspire you to rethink your approach to leadership in the age of AI and equip you with tools to harness technology as a thought partner—not a replacement—for human judgment and creativity.

Geoff is not only the #1 bestselling author of The AI-Driven Leader, he’s also the host of the AI-Driven Leader podcast and Founder of AI Leadership. He’s created The AI-Driven Leadership Collective™, a network of executives collaborating to harness AI to build better businesses and better lives.

You’ll discover:

• How artificial intelligence enhances strategic decision-making
• What you can do to prompt AI to ask you thought-provoking questions
• Practical ways to use AI as a thought partner
• Strategies for overcoming fear of new technology
• The CRIT framework for effective AI communication

Watch the episode:

Connect with Geoff

Geoff’s Resources

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AI Leadership

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The AI-Driven Leader: Harnessing AI to Make Faster, Smarter Decisions

Do you know of a company that’s created 12 powerful mindsets that are used daily by all employees? You do now, because Moderna is that company. And in this powerful interview, the team of April Eldred (VP, Talent Acquisition) and Noah Rabinowitz (VP, Learning & Development) describe with great enthusiasm what the Moderna Mindset looks like in action.

As VP and Global Head of Learning and Development, Noah leads Moderna University, the team responsible for providing world-class learning solutions for all segments of Moderna’s employee population. Noah has almost 25-years of experience in the HR and learning industry.

As VP of Global Talent Acquisition, April has recently been focused on building Moderna’s AI-capabilities in talent acquisition. She has spent more than 20 years creating recruitment teams that are passionate about building diverse talent pipelines and ‘making the match’ in a differentiated way.

You’ll discover:

• Moderna’s mission statement and the unique culture that’s been created from it
• A sampling of the 12 Moderna Mindsets and how they’re applied in everyday work situations
• How April and Noah are using AI in talent acquisition and talent development
• Why Moderna University is set up to serve those both internal and external to Moderna
• The kind of data they’re using in their HR decision-making

Watch the episode:

Connect with April

Connect with Noah

Website

Moderna