10 Min CxO Clip- Bill Wosilius
CXO Conversations
In “CEO Bill Wosilius, Why and How to Prepare for CEO Chair,” , who was CEO of NexusTek at the time of recording, shares candid insights on declaring your career goals, assessing situations with clarity, and making the tough executive calls that define leadership. A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Bill served eight years before moving into executive roles at InFlow, Sungard, Healthgrades, CoreSite, and Optiv, ultimately preparing him for the CEO role. He emphasizes why the best job is the one you have right now, how every experience builds toward the moment of leadership, and...
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2 Min CxO Clip- Steve Joanis
CXO Conversations
What does it take to get noticed by both venture capitalists and C-suite recruiters? In this episode of CXO Conversations, Steve Joanis—CEO of PlanetIQ and veteran of more than $200M in venture fundraising—shares how his career path from Army combat aviator to consultant, investor, and CEO shaped his leadership style. Drawing on decades of experience scaling startups and serving on 20+ boards, Steve highlights why relationships matter more than résumés, how to present yourself authentically to investors, and the strategic decisions that define a CEO’s success. His advice is invaluable...
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10 Min CxO Clip- Steve Joanis
CXO Conversations
In “CEO Steve Joanis, Getting Noticed for C-Level & by VCs,” , the CEO of PlanetIQ (at time of recording, now a PE Managing Director), shares lessons from 25+ years in management consulting, venture capital, and executive leadership. A West Point graduate, decorated Army aviator, and Wharton MBA, Steve has served as CFO, President, board member, and investor across more than 20 companies with multiple successful exits. In this episode of CXO Conversations, he explains how to stand out to venture capitalists, what personality traits the most successful C-suite candidates share, and how...
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2 Min CxO Clip- Carlos Perez
CXO Conversations
What does it take to build a high-performing sales organization from scratch? In this episode of CXO Conversations, Carlos Perez, CRO of Simuwatt, shares lessons from leading revenue teams at startups, global enterprises, and everything in between. He talks about the changing nature of sales leadership, the importance of aligning marketing and sales under a unified revenue vision, and why adaptability is critical in a post-COVID world. From closing his first $25M outsourcing deal to scaling SaaS organizations, Carlos offers actionable advice for leaders building sales orgs designed to last....
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10 Min CxO Clip- Carlos Perez
CXO Conversations
In “CRO Carlos Perez, Building a Sales Org from Scratch,” shares how he’s grown revenue organizations across startups and billion-dollar companies alike. From his early consulting days to CRO roles at Wowza and now Concept3D, Carlos reflects on the evolving role of the Chief Revenue Officer, aligning sales, marketing, and customer success to accelerate growth. He also discusses how sales has changed post-COVID, why trust and creativity matter more than ever, and how to build scalable sales teams from the ground up. For executives and entrepreneurs, this episode is packed with insights...
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2 Min CxO Clip- Heather Callender-Potters
CXO Conversations
What does it take to know when to step aside and hire the right CEO? In this episode of CXO Conversations, Heather Callender-Potters—global investor, co-founder of PharmaJet, and experienced board member—discusses the lessons she’s learned from founding companies, navigating leadership transitions, and serving on boards. From her international upbringing to launching one of the first private equity funds in Eastern Europe, Heather’s journey offers a unique perspective on resilience, cultural awareness, and executive selection. Her advice for aspiring leaders and board members...
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10 Min CxO Clip- Heather Callender-Potters
CXO Conversations
In “Heather Callender-Potters, Founder and Board Member. Hiring a CEO and Board Member Perspectives,” shares lessons from a remarkable career that began in Poland just after the fall of the Berlin Wall, bringing access to capital during a time of historic transformation. Now co-founder of PharmaJet and a seasoned board member, Heather reflects on the challenges of handing over leadership to a CEO, the importance of cultural fit versus just résumé credentials, and why resilience and trust are critical in executive roles. She also offers candid advice for first-time board members on...
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2 Min CxO Clip- Doug Gattuso
CXO Conversations
What does it mean to lead with authenticity in the C-suite? In this episode of CXO Conversations, Doug Gattuso talks about the importance of leaving ego at the door and focusing on creating value for people and organizations. He shares lessons from building teams, returning to companies multiple times, and leading international initiatives across Europe, Mexico, and India. Doug offers candid advice for those aspiring to executive leadership: don’t chase titles—invest in learning, seize opportunities, and always contribute to the bigger picture. For the full interview:...
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10 Min CxO Clip- Doug Gattuso
CXO Conversations
In “C-Suite Perspective in Leading with Authenticity,” shares why true leadership is about focusing on opportunities and outcomes—not titles or ego. A veteran of the Naval Academy and Marine Corps, Doug reflects on a career spanning executive roles including President and Chief Customer Officer. He explains why burning bridges is never wise, the lessons gained from international work experiences in Prague and India, and how patience, teamwork, and humility shape long-term success. Doug’s story is a reminder that authentic leadership and continuous contribution create lasting impact in...
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2 Min CxO Clip- Casey Woo
CXO Conversations
What does it take to admit a prestigious path isn’t for you—and have the courage to pivot? In this episode of CXO Conversations, Casey Woo, CFO of Landing.com, discusses his journey from West Point to Harvard, from Wall Street hedge funds to executive leadership roles at startups like WeWork and Zozi. Casey shares how he found fulfillment in finance by building teams, driving strategy, and embracing the operational challenges of scaling businesses. Along the way, he offers candid advice on following passion over prestige, understanding the differences between CFO and COO roles, and...
info_outlineAbbas Udawala is the CFO of Hexagon Digital Wave who is a seasoned financial veteran with a track record of turning companies around. He joins us today to share his insights on leadership and building a strong personal brand.
With a resume that includes nine transactions and executive roles in multiple industries, Abbas knows a thing or two about navigating the complex world of business. He's been involved in everything from high-growth startups to turnarounds, giving him a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing today's leaders.
During the conversation, Abbass discusses the importance of your personal brand:
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Earn the Trust- through authentic conversations
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Transparency-Open dialogue and trust building
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Self Awareness- be honest with yourself to maximize your strengths and identify areas to improve
Two key takeaways:
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Honesty in leadership- have those direct conversations while being proactive
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Operational ownership- you have to know your business
In addition to Hexagon Digital Wave, Abbass has been a CFO for Custom Window Systems (sold to strategic buyers), US Fence Solutions, Antelope Oil Tool & Mfg. Co, Griffen Dewatering, PGI International (Sold to a strategic buyer) and more. He holds an MBA from Tulane University and volunteers with business and social nonprofits.