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T H E 1 0 M O ST I N F LU E N T I A L L E A D E R S D R IVI N G B U S I N E S S F O R WA R D I N 2026

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FERNANDO BERGALLO Fearless Ambition and the Rise of an Industry

Leader: The Story of Fernando Bergallo

DECEMBER 2025

CEO and Founder

FB Capital

Steering the Course of Progress

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Leadership is no longer strictly defined by having authority in today's fastchanging market, but rather by the capacity to motivate change and create new opportunities out of disruption. The leaders of today are those individuals who anticipate change and create the means to convert it to an opportunity, to develop new avenues of innovation, resilience, and vision to sustain growth. They are not simply responding to global shifts, but actively developing the frameworks to lead future industries. These leaders have a far-reaching influence, and their companies incorporate inclusivity, adaptability, and long-term impact into their core values. These new models of leadership create collaborative environments, embrace technology, and create an understanding of what it means to lead in a connected world. These leaders' decisions have far-reaching repercussions that affect economies, communities, and the next generation of entrepreneurs. As the speed of change continues to accelerate, it is the foresight of these leaders that serves as a compass by which progress is ultimately measured. At CIO Views, we honor these empowering leaders by dedicating this issue titled “The 10 Most Influential Leaders Driving Business Forward in 2026” to them. Featuring as the cover story, we have covered the successful & motivating journey of Fernando Bergallo, CEO and Founder of FB Capital. We have also included the inspiring stories of Jeff Johnson, President of Summit Point Training Facility; Jens Mittendorf, Managing Director of DEHAS MEDICAL SYSTEMS GMBH; Saša Marinković, Owner & CEO of PEOPLE FOCUS doo; Laetitia Cailleteau, Managing Director of DATA & AI Europe Lead; Jane Stevensen, Founding Director of JS Global Advisory; Stefano Pauluzzi, Head of Service Excellence at IFZA; Maryam Rastegar Poor, Co-Founder of Melodica Music Academy; Nicole Martin, Chief Empowerment Officer and Founder of HRBoost; and Yılmaz Bozan, CEO and Founder of revolutionDM. CIO Views is a business magazine that mainly focuses on business leaders, their journey, views on current economic states, and all other relevant subjects that refer to the business world. Our goal is to be a leading source of information dedicated to providing our readers with detailed perspectives and views of successful business leaders who are transforming the business outlook and redefining their goals. With exclusive editions on various industries like software, education, healthcare, technology, real estate, and many more, CIO Views is driven to promote excellence in the world of business. Happy Reading!

Mousmi

Mousmi N.

COVER STORY

10.

Fernando Bergallo

CONTENTS

20. Jeff Johnson 24. Jens Mittendorf 30. Saša Marinković 34. Laetitia Cailleteau 40. Jane Stevensen

44.

Stefano Pauluzzi

50.

Maryam Rastegar Poor

54.

Nicole Martin

58.

Yılmaz Bozan

COVER STORY

FERNANDO BERGALLO Fearless Ambition and the Rise of an Industry Leader: The Story of Fernando Bergallo

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CEO and Founder

FB Capital

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Fernando has historically built his view on the basis of what he has observed. One of the first things that struck him while working at a bank was that the Brazilian Market for Foreign Currency was almost monopolized by just a few banks that offered no true service or intelligence to assist their clients in their trading efforts. "The market was so concentrated in just a few banks, and they did not provide the level of service that clients should have received," he said. By linking his realisation of the lack of client service that was available with his prior professional experience,

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Fernando saw an opportunity to form a financial company based on three main components, which included a significant focus on quality and precision, outstanding service and a high level of understanding of clients. The foundation of FB Capital was built on these three components and has become known for its integrity, superior skills and capabilities and a dedication to values-driven leadership. A Defining Leap into Entrepreneurship While decisions can influence an individual's career, there are always those few decisions that will define what they become. One defining moment for Fernando was when he decided to leave the relative predictability of a bank job and venture out into the uncertain world of starting his own business as an entrepreneur. “The most important decision was to leave my position as an employee of a bank and create my own business where I could develop it based on my core values,” he said. Although many people would think twice before taking such a significant risk, especially in a marketplace dominated by large institutions, Fernando's acceptance of taking risks has been fundamental to how he leads others. Building FB Capital from the ground up was far from simple. Competing with banks meant competing with institutions that possessed immense influence, unlimited budgets, and decades of client loyalty. “Breaking into a sector dominated by five or six major players was an enormous challenge,” he recalled. But he approached the challenge with discipline and intentionality, centering the company around refined processes, expert service, and a

culture that treated clients as partners rather than account numbers. Over time, FB Capital became recognized for its accuracy, operational excellence, and trustworthiness, earning a place among Brazil's most respected independent foreignexchange specialists. Leading with Vision, Integrity, and Personal Accountability At the heart of Fernando's leadership lies a clear sense of values. He speaks

“ "The market was so concentrated in just a few banks, and they did not provide the level of service that clients should have received,"

“

There are many different ways for leaders to enter finance. Some may have found themselves in finance by accident; others have taken advantage of the opportunities that finance offered them. However, there are a select few leaders such as Fernando Bergallo, Founder & CEO of FB Capital, who have created completely new avenues for themselves in finance where none existed previously. Fernando did not have the benefit of wealth or institutional support at the beginning of his career but instead identified an opportunity in the marketplace and steadfastly pursued it through hard work, dedication, and unwavering belief in his vision. As a result of his relentless pursuit, FB Capital has become a highly respected player in the forex market in Brazil. FB Capital has demonstrated that a start-up built on insight and determination has the potential to be successful against much larger and more established companies.

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“ “The most important decision was to leave my position as an employee of a bank and create my own business where I could develop it based on my core values”

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often about integrity, responsibility, and the commitment necessary to provide true service. As CEO, his responsibilities are both strategic and operational. “Beyond representing the company, I am responsible for building commercial traction and for training and supervising our client service team,” he noted. His leadership style emphasizes closeness to clients, constant availability, and deep understanding of every transaction—not just from a ﬁnancial perspective but through the lens of credibility. Reputation, for him, is a core measure of success. Instead of focusing solely on numbers, Fernando believes leadership should be evaluated by the esteem one earns in the industry. “Success is not only about ﬁnancial gains but also about the reputation one builds,” he said.

This philosophy guides his decisions and shapes the expectations he sets for his team. It has also helped make FB Capital a benchmark in its segment, admired not only for its service quality but for the consistency of its principles. Balancing Leadership and Family with Purpose Despite the demands of running an expanding financial enterprise, Fernando approaches personal life with equal dedication. As a father of two children, he considers balance essential but acknowledges that leadership requires intentional effort. “I try to balance my role as a business leader with my role as a parent. The company requires intense involvement, but I dedicate a significant part of my time to my children,” he shared. This view

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reflects his wider belief that true success extends beyond the office—it includes the relationships and responsibilities that shape a meaningful life. Building a Culture Grounded in Standards and Entrepreneurial Drive Leadership also carries the responsibility of cultivating a strong culture, and Fernando places great importance on transmitting his nonnegotiable values to his team. He describes his approach as clear, structured, and closely aligned with the entrepreneurial mindset he hopes to instill. “I have always been demanding with my team about values I consider fundamental,” he explained. He expects his team not only to deliver excellence but to internalize what it means to build something of their own. This philosophy has created a collective spirit within the company, where each team member understands the weight and significance of their role. His own growth was shaped by perseverance, analytical thinking, and resilience, traits he now encourages in future business leaders. He hopes the company's story serves as inspiration, particularly for those hesitant to take the first step. “Our journey proves that it is possible to start from absolutely nothing and still reach market leadership,” he said. This emphasis on courage and conviction has helped shape FB Capital's identity as a company built not only on expertise but on belief. Industry Impact and Future Vision As the foreign-exchange market and broader financial services sector evolve, Fernando remains focused on how technology, regulation, and global trends will reshape the future. While open to the changes artificial

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intelligence may bring, he also acknowledges the irreplaceable importance of human insight. “Many processes may be automated, but there will still be real need for humandriven work like ours,” he emphasized. His perspective highlights a balance between innovation and humanity, ensuring FB Capital remains prepared for the future without losing the personal integrity that deﬁnes its culture. Looking forward, he expects the industry to undergo signiﬁcant

“ "The market was so concentrated in just a few banks, and they did not provide the level of service that clients should have received,"

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transformation. Yet FB Capital's role will remain guided by expertise, precision, and relationships. As regulatory frameworks shift and digital tools expand, Fernando intends for his firm to stay attentive and responsive, building on its established credibility while embracing new opportunities. A Leader Creating Space for Future Entrepreneurs Perhaps one of Fernando's most meaningful contributions is the way his story resonates with younger entrepreneurs. He frequently tells aspiring leaders that success requires dedication, humility, and accountability to those they serve. His advice is straightforward but powerful: “Do not treat your client as a number. Dedicate your time to truly understanding them. Always be available and deliver more than they expect.” These principles have shaped FB Capital's growth and will influence many who hope to follow similar paths in the financial sector.

Fernando Bergallo's journey exemplifies a remarkable display of willpower through adversity - his career as an executive for a major bank underpinned with a strong desire to succeed against insurmountable odds. By founding one of the few independent foreign exchange firms in Brazil, FB Capital, he demonstrated that dedication, dedication, and integrity could elevate one from being a relative amateur at their trade to become a major influence within the foreign exchange industry in Brazil and beyond. As FB Capital expands, Fernando hopes to leave behind a legacy of producing a new class of financial leaders who will perpetuate his vision of success for their own firms and create value within their communities while they do so.

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JEFF JOHNSON Transforming Summit Point Into a National Security Powerhouse

t Summit Point, the roar of engines has always carried a deeper resonance. What began as a European-style racetrack carved into West Virginia soil has evolved into something far more consequential: a hub where national security, cutting-edge technology, and next-generation training intersect. At the center of that transformation is Jeﬀ Johnson, President of Summit Point Training Facility and Summit Solutions Group. Johnson leads with a compass set on faith, family, and the freedom to build. For him, leadership isn't about titles—it's about impact. “The measure of success is simple,” he says. “Did we create jobs? Did we grow careers? Did we help our clients succeed in ways that matter?”

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A Path Forged in Service Johnson's story begins at 17, when he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and entered the elite ranks of Force Reconnaissance. Nearly twelve years in the Corps' special operations community shaped him with hard lessons and extraordinary mentors. After leaving the military, he pivoted boldly into the biotech sector—learning business from veteran executives who taught him to translate battleﬁeld leadership into boardroom strategy. When 9/11 reshaped the world, Johnson answered the call again—supporting security missions in Afghanistan and Iraq, splitting time between combat zones and classrooms as he completed his

degree. Later came rotations at the Pentagon, an MBA earned at night, and senior leadership roles in government contracting where he managed multi-billion-dollar portfolios and scaled organizations through periods of explosive growth. But when he ﬁrst walked the grounds of Summit Point in 2019, something clicked. “It was a launchpad!” Johnson recalls. “The place had history, credibility, and enormous untapped potential. I saw what it could become.” Reinventing a Legacy Summit Point's roots trace back to Bill Scott, the champion racer who, in 1969, built a circuit dedicated to precision, safety, and innovation.

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President

Summit Point Training Facility

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Under Johnson's leadership, that legacy has been reimagined for a new era. He automated systems, restructured operations, and professionalized partnerships with federal and commercial clients. What was once primarily a motorsports venue is now a three-part enterprise: Summit Point Training Facility, Summit Solutions Group, and Summit Point Motorsports Park. Together, they form an integrated platform for mission-critical training, RDT&E, and operational support.

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The credo that drives it all is unapologetically bold: One Summit Point—Find a Way to Yes for the Customer. Embracing Challenge, Accelerating Innovation Johnson is candid about failure—it isn't something to hide, it's something to harness. “Failure isn't the end of the road. It's part of the road,” he says. His leadership philosophy centers on stamina, accountability, and the courage to innovate.

He rejects bureaucracies that choke talent and insists on creating an environment where teams are trusted to act and empowered to deliver. “Great organizations give their people a clear mission, the right tools, and the freedom to execute. That's when innovation happens.” Building the Next Generation of Leaders Johnson sees one of his most important responsibilities as unlocking the potential of the next generation. Too often, he argues,

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businesses underestimate young professionals because they're tied to outdated models. At Summit Point, talent isn't measured by age but by capability. Rising leaders are given early responsibility, strong mentorship, and a clear runway to grow. “Our job is to recognize potential, give opportunities, and let people prove what they can do. That's how you build the future.” A Vision That Outruns the Horizon For Johnson, Summit Point is more than an organization—it's an engine of economic development for West Virginia and beyond. He envisions it as the nation's gold standard for training and innovation, integrating emerging technologies at speed and setting new benchmarks in agility, trust, and performance. But his legacy won't be measured only in facilities or contracts. “I hope people remember that I invested in them,” Johnson says. “That through hard work, an open mind, and supporting others, they can do great things. That's the legacy I want to leave.” And while his résumé is already formidable, Johnson insists the most important chapters are ahead. “I'm blessed with where I am,” he says with a smile. “But the best is yet to come.”

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JENS MITTENDORF A Journey from Navy Diver to Medical Systems Leader

n the ever-evolving landscape of medical systems, few leaders stand out as prominently as Jens Mittendorf, the Managing Director of DEHAS MEDICAL SYSTEMS GMBH. His journey from a Navy diver to a leading ﬁgure in the medical industry is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and visionary leadership. This article delves into his inspiring story, exploring the milestones, challenges, and philosophies that have shaped his career and the growth of DEHAS MEDICAL SYSTEMS. Jens's story is not just about professional success but also about personal growth and the relentless pursuit of excellence. A Serendipitous Start in the Medical Field Jens Mittendorf's entry into the medical ﬁeld was serendipitous. "The

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start in the medical ﬁeld happened by accident," he recalls.

result-based organization," he explains.

After a diving accident during his service as a navy diver, Jens was no longer able to continue in that role. The Navy offered him an opportunity to be trained as a medic, marking his first foray into the medical sector. This unexpected turn of events laid the foundation for his future career. It was a pivotal moment that redirected his path and ignited a passion for the medical field that would define his professional life.

The discipline and structure of the military, combined with an appreciation for individual strengths, helped Jens develop a leadership proﬁle that values transparency and straightforward communication. This approach has been instrumental in building a cohesive and motivated team at DEHAS MEDICAL SYSTEMS, a company he founded 22 years ago. His military background instilled a sense of duty and precision that he carries into his business practices.

Military Discipline Shaping Leadership Jens's experiences in the German Navy and Bundeswehr Central Hospital signiﬁcantly inﬂuenced his leadership style. "The military is a hierarchical but transparent, strong

From One-Man Show to Global Enterprise The journey to becoming the Managing Director of DEHAS MEDICAL SYSTEMS was marked

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Managing Director

DEHAS MEDICAL SYSTEMS GMBH

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by several key milestones. Jens founded the company with just 5,000 Euros, starting as a one-man show. "I had little knowledge about the market from my former jobs, but as a managing director, I was absolutely green," he admits. However, his military skills, determination, and a bit of luck helped him grow with his tasks.

environment, ﬁnding motivation in the ever-changing landscape of the medical systems industry.

successes. "The plan was to stay as a lifetime soldier, but sometimes things change," he notes.

Striking a Balance Between Work and Life

Adapting to a completely different field and achieving success in it was a significant challenge, but one that he accomplished with determination and hard work. Today, he leads a successful SME with over 40 employees. His journey is a powerful reminder that challenges can be stepping stones to greater achievements and that resilience is key to overcoming obstacles.

Today, DEHAS MEDICAL SYSTEMS is a thriving enterprise with a global footprint. His story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of seizing opportunities as they arise.

Maintaining a balance between professional responsibilities and personal life is crucial for Jens. He engages in team sports, particularly handball, and takes short breaks with extended weekends to relax and stay focused. His involvement with the German National Guard also helps him stay grounded and connected to his roots.

Diverse Responsibilities of a Managing Director

"Always remember your roots and values," he emphasizes.

As the Managing Director, Jens's role is multifaceted. "Like a facility manager, you have some day-to-day tasks, but you never know what's up next," he says. His responsibilities include strategic development of new markets and products, ensuring the ﬁnancial stability of the company, and overseeing a diverse range of operations, from development and quality assurance to CNC manufacturing. This variety keeps his role dynamic and challenging, requiring constant adaptation and forward-thinking. Jens thrives in this

This balance is essential for his wellbeing and effectiveness as a leader. It allows him to recharge and bring fresh perspectives to his work. Jens believes that a well-rounded life contributes to a more productive and fulfilling career. Overcoming Challenges and Celebrating Successes Reflecting on his career, Jens considers his transition from a navy diver to a leader in the medical industry as one of his greatest

Staying Ahead in a Competitive Industry To keep DEHAS MEDICAL SYSTEMS at the forefront of innovation, Jens emphasizes the importance of staying informed about industry trends. "You have to speak with innovative clinics and doctors to get the best information for new trends and treatments," he explains. The company also collaborates with local medical universities and regularly hosts students for their master's theses, ensuring they remain on the cutting edge of medical advancements. This proactive approach to innovation helps DEHAS MEDICAL SYSTEMS stay competitive and responsive to the evolving needs of the medical ﬁeld. Jens's commitment to continuous learning and adaptation is a cornerstone of the company's success. Inspiring Future Generations in the Medical Field Jens is keenly aware of the impact his work has on future generations in the medical ﬁeld. He acknowledges that while younger generations are welleducated, the drive to accomplish

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remarkable milestones. From its humble beginnings as a one-man show, the company now enjoys global recognition for its products. Jens has consistently invested in personnel, infrastructure, and machinery, ensuring continuous growth and innovation. The company has achieved MDR readiness and FDA clearance for most of its products and has several new innovative products in the pipeline.

tasks may not be as pronounced as it was in his generation. "I fear that we will be stuck behind our capabilities," he says, particularly for SMEs that lack the resources of larger enterprises.

asserts. This philosophy not only guides his actions but also shapes the culture at DEHAS MEDICAL SYSTEMS, fostering an environment where employees are motivated to excel and innovate.

Jens hopes his proﬁle can inspire younger professionals to strive for success, showing that determination and hard work can lead to signiﬁcant achievements. He believes that by setting a positive example, he can encourage the next generation to pursue their goals with passion and dedication.

Guidance for Aspiring Leaders

A Leadership Philosophy Rooted in Action Jens's leadership philosophy is encapsulated in his credo: "Success is written with three letters! ACT!" He believes in being fair, transparent, energetic, and driving processes and projects forward. He also stresses the importance of teaching younger generations the value of strong principles and positive thinking. "Belief in values is something that keeps you strong and positive," Jens

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For those aspiring to lead in the medical systems industry, Jens oﬀers valuable advice: "Give trust to your people, lead them, and encourage them to learn and make experiences." Jens believes that positive leadership fosters a productive atmosphere and teamwork, ultimately freeing up time for leaders to focus on other tasks. By empowering his team, Jens creates a supportive environment where individuals can grow and contribute to the company's success. His approach underscores the importance of trust and collaboration in achieving organizational goals.

"We currently have invested into two own facilities in Germany to grow further," Jens highlights. These achievements reﬂect his strategic vision and commitment to excellence, positioning DEHAS MEDICAL SYSTEMS as a leader in the medical industry. Conclusion Jens Mittendorf's journey is a compelling narrative of resilience, adaptability, and visionary leadership. His experiences, from the Navy to leading a successful medical systems company, oﬀer valuable insights and inspiration for aspiring leaders. Through his transparent and disciplined approach, Jens has built a strong foundation for DEHAS MEDICAL SYSTEMS, ensuring its continued growth and success in the ever-evolving medical industry. His story serves as a powerful example of how dedication, strategic thinking, and a commitment to values can drive both personal and professional success.

Achievements Under Jens's Leadership Under Jens's leadership, DEHAS MEDICAL SYSTEMS has achieved

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SAŠA MARINKOVIĆ A Buoyant and Successfully Entrepreneur Focused On Building Strong and Inclusive Business Teams

usiness Development Specialist, Saša Marinković has more than 20 years of experience as Managing Director in five-plus companies in Serbia and Romania. Saša is an expert in establishing foreign companies in the fields such as IT, Real Estate, Agriculture, Sports, and leading the sectors of HR, administration, and finance. He is the Owner & CEO of PEOPLE FOCUS doo; a company that mostly focuses on the IT and software industries, but their work reaches beyond just that, enabling them to help clients make a mark in whatever industry they might be in.

young company, they managed to be recognized as a good IT recruitment company in a short time, with additional support that can be a very good business development partner for any company combined with big experience and young professionals from diﬀerent educational backgrounds.

PEOPLE FOCUS and its growth under Saša's exclusive leadership

Their main focus is to work with clients with whom they have a good mutual understanding and good communication. “This makes our life easier and all sides are more satisﬁed. Connecting good and right people

PEOPLE FOCUS is still a young start-up company, founded in August of 2021. Even though they are such a

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As a recruiting company, PEOPLE FOCUS is more focused on clients from the DACH region, because of Saša's Austrian background and as a German native speaker, but they are also dealing with clients from other countries like France and Britain.

with good companies is our passion,” states Saša. Success is the ability to do what you love and while maintaining balance in life If you are in a position of choosing the clients you want to work with, your team, the partners, all the people you cooperate with and also have your time under control to do most of the things you like without having the feeling that you are working at all, then you may say you have become a successful leader in your area of expertise, and Saša proudly says, “I am lucky I am almost at this point in my career.” In this situation, you will also have a good work-life balance. Therefore, everyone should focus more on people and choose the right people to

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work with. In order for Saša to select a person he looks for 3 traits: 1.

to have great energy and passion for what they do and to be a trustworthy person.

to be a proven professional in the area she/he is involved in or that she/he has the potential to be one of the best in their area of expertise and to be interested in expanding their knowledge when needed.

to be capable to teach others and also be taught, for sharing knowledge is the highest form of creative connection on the road to sustainable mutual success.

Challenges make you wiser and help you grow Saša claims that his whole life has been accompanied by great challenges, starting from his birth. He believes that challenges, even if they make our work more difficult, are necessary elements of individual growth and bring out our true potential. In today's environment the earlier you start to cope with challenges the better you are capable to deal with new challenges. “I would like to point out a major challenge I faced when I was 27 years old. It was the end of 1999 and I had just moved from Vienna to Serbia. I started almost from scratch (with no contacts in Serbia) to deal with big challenges and to do business development for different businesses in parallel,” says Saša. One of the specific challenges he focused particularly on was solving a lack of talent in the IT industry. To expand the IT talent pool, he

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supported innovative solutions created by startups. The three most successful ones specialized in conducting IT specialization and requalification training and developing an online tool for testing job candidates. This has become one of the best apps in the world in this category where People Focus is also a Sales representative. Achievements and recognition received as a talent acquisition leader Saša has a great passion in playing key roles in assembling winning teams for various projects where he connects and brings together people from different fields. He had that chance in his previous work experience where he developed and led multiple successful projects from different fields in parallel at the same time, but most of all he had a passion in somehow bringing people together from Serbia and the region and connecting them to Austria, where the end result was successful and everyone was satisfied, which was not an easy task but he states it was so fulfilling for he finds inspiration in creating a win-win situation. The importance of a team is best described by Steve Jobs who used to say – Great things in business are never done by one person. They're done by a team of people. And that is something I always have in my mind. Personally, Saša finds gratitude and satisfaction in occasions when the employees or people that he worked with on a project told him that they liked to come to work because of the people in the team, that this was the key factor that motivates them to work where they have found a mutual purpose a friendly environment to

grow that moves them way beyond the monthly paycheck. “As a leader there is a need to create a good team which is capable of organizing and reorganizing themselves for different things that pop up in a working day in order to achieve success in any field, and when that is achieved, then there is no better recognition for me than knowing I have assembled a functioning “self-sustaining” team that didn't fail,” states Saša. It is like in sports teams. As a leader you have to select the right people and put them together but you have to do this often smoothly, and sometimes you will choose the wrong people, it happens and it is normal, but you have to react very fast and choose the right ones for every position you need in your team, then you need to also give your team time to adapt and to learn to work together. “As a leader your main task and goal is to be the team support in reaching the defined goals,” he says. Life before and after becoming CEO of PEOPLE FOCUS Born in Vienna, Saša lived and worked in Vienna until the end of 1999, when he moved to Serbia. He started his career in Vienna in 1994 with part-time jobs, for instance, Hewlett Packard in the credit & finance department for Eastern Europe. Also, for over three years, he worked as a technical support team lead at Netway, one of the first Internet Providers in Austria (founded by Raiffeisen Group). In 2000 Saša accepted a job offer to move to Serbia to re-establish an Austrian company, Teletrader Beograd, in which he remained a managing director for the next 21 years. Teletrader was one of the first

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IT companies in Serbia that he developed from its inception to a business that now employs over 150 employees. He also managed another smaller IT company, a subsidiary of SUPERFUND for over 15 years. He was also the representative for Sports Sponsoring of the Austrian investment fund SUPERFUND in Serbia. Another domain of Saša's expertise was agriculture business development. Two companies he established and managed for more than ten years in this domain were Bio Farma d.o.o. in Serbia (Organic Production) and Agrimir în Timișoara, Romania. Another complex challenge was from 2017 to 2021 where he ran a complete engineering reconstruction project of an 800m2 office space (two floors), the undertaking of Teletrader Real Estate. Saša, who defines himself as a 'people-oriented' person states that his passion is playing a key role in selecting the right people for every project, connecting people and therefore supporting businesses to reach their goals. To create a winwin-win situation. Saša's motto is a saying that you don't build a business – you build people. And then people build the business.

and making people he works with feel valued, included, and motivated in their work. Plans for the future of PEOPLE FOCUS The future plan for PEOPLE FOCUS is to become the No. 1 company in Serbia and the surrounding region in the IT recruitment area and in becoming a long-term partner for companies from German speaking countries like Austria, Germany and Switzerland. Saša states that he has achieved most of the dreams he put on paper when he was 23, but not all of them. “There are a few more I would like to fulﬁll, hopefully, by this time next year to accompany my 50th birthday celebration,” he exclaims. Staying motivated to maintain a balance in life “Focus on working with the right people (in a company that has an understanding for work-life balance) gives you a chance to be successful in this mission to maintain balance in your personal and professional life,” says Saša. If you treat every employee as a human being with the respect and acknowledgment they deserve while

also apologizing for any mistakes made and allowing your employees to be open with you and express their opinions freely on a regular basis, then you will have your employees motivated. Also, to offer customized benefits for your team, the company needs to focus on what is important for the employee and not be only focused on what other companies are doing, i.e. to customize benefits with the personal needs of employees. Each and every company needs a different approach with their employees depending on both the company and the employee needs and capacities. “I can personally say I am mostly motivated when my clients and employees are equally satisfied in reaching the mutual goals,” Saša states. Saša's message to aspiring entrepreneurs is: you should always be fully focused on your goals and should always find the time to find the right people that you can count on. A good team and partners you can trust give you peace and mind space to concentrate fully on business and private matters. If you make a mistake in choosing the wrong people you can still do the right things eventually, but you will lose a lot of energy, opportunities and more. So be wise in your choices.

As owner and CEO of PEOPLE FOCUS Saša's responsibilities include a wide range of tasks focused on managing the company's overall operations and resources. Starting with ﬁnances, administration and legal work and ending with sales or ﬁnding good clients. He is consistent with what he does and the way he does it. Focused on building teams

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LAETITIA CAILLETEAU A Progressive Leader Delivering Robust And Innovative Technology Solutions

ll of us are constantly driven by the desire to succeed. However, success is a relative term, because what you may consider 'successful', may not fit someone else's definition. Laetitia Cailleteau, states that success for her is about making the world a better place, working as one with clients, communities, and her teams. Creating impact and being a change agent are essential elements of her definition of success. Staying balanced and grounded across all her roles - mother of three, wife, and daughter is an important aspect of her successful journey. Laetitia is the Managing Director, DATA & AI Europe Lead, and the Global Lead for Conversational AI for Accenture. She believes that the toughest part these days for many of us is to be in the now, to ride that

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crest and enjoy it. “I work hard at being present in the moment. But I've always got my eye on the future. I'm always thinking of ways to lead my teams to have that greater impact, to master the transformations required to better serve our clients,” she says. Leading A Company To Success With Courage And A Leap Of Faith The consulting industry, by default, always pushes you to the edge of a world of possibilities driving transformation and change. “The depth and breadth of the impact are exciting, especially in a company like Accenture that covers all industries and facets of transformation,” she states. She strongly believes in the fact what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. “The biggest roadblocks are

the ones we learn from most, forcing deep reﬂection, causing us to question things, reassess and change course. It's hard to pinpoint speciﬁc roadblocks,” she explains. Laetitia's job is all about pushing the boundaries of what's possible so perseverance, rethinking, and evolution are key. There are precious few templates around how to be a woman and mother in such a demanding leadership role in tech. It requires vast stores of energy. And it requires constant awareness of the cultural stereotypes that must be resisted. “I can see meaningful progress in the industry but it's not happening quickly enough. The key is to grow your support networks with people who believe in you, who give you energy. And you must never stop believing in yourself,” she states.

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The organization is about living a purpose. “How we infuse the crossroads of technology and human capability to deliver diﬀerentiated value to our clients is made possible only through the individuals here,” she says. She believes that their talented people are what will carry them forward to even greater success. She also believes they must keep investing in a diverse employee base, as the diversity of thought and experience is what will allow Accenture to thrive in an evolving society. She is committed to creating a vibrant and engaging community to help shape the paths of people, allowing them to see how important they are for the company's future. Women Empowerment & Representation The Services Of Accenture

Vision For A Bright Future

Accenture is a global professional services company with cutting-edge capabilities in digital, cloud, and security. Their mix of specialist skills and experience is, truly, unparalleled. They've got 674,000 people working across more than 40 industries. They oﬀer services in Strategy and Consulting, Technology and Operations, and Interactive, all powered by the world's largest network of Advanced Technology and Intelligent Operations centers.

Laetitia believes that we have entered the 4th industrial revolution and that signiﬁcant and accelerated change will power the world. She wants to be at the forefront of this movement - a shaper of a better future rather than a passive actor. She loves this quote by Churchill: If you don't take change by the hand, it will take you by the throat.

“Without hesitation, I can say our people deliver on the promise of technology and human ingenuity every day, giving their best to clients in more than 120 countries. We embrace the power of change to create value and shared success for our clients, our people, our shareholders, partners, and communities,” exclaims Laetitia.

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She strongly claims that Accenture is the best place to work and that's not only her biased opinion, the market agrees. It has an inspirational ethos and mantra: 'Let there be change'. Change is the only constant and it is what unites them all to be the best at what they do. Julie Sweet, their CEO, is spearheading their transformation, and Laetitia exclaims that being on this journey with her is very exciting.

Women represent more than half of the global population. They tend to be superstars at emotional intelligence, mastering versatility, and balancing various demands and needs. A society without the right level of women empowerment is a society that tends to be more divisive, power-hungry, and reactive, always firefighting. “We are essential in bringing more balance, openness, and harmony to our roles and we do it proactively – fact surveys and statistics tend to overlook,” says Laetitia. Laetitia surrounds herself with a very diverse team in terms of gender, religion, social background, disabilities, age, and sexual orientation. She states that she knows her teammates well. “I know what they can bring at work but also what motivates them outside of the office. I also make time to see how junior staffers and new hires are getting on

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in my division. I recently created what I call #nofilter sessions for the 3,500 people aligned to Data & AI,” she adds. She invites all of them to book 20 minutes with her to discuss anything they like. Authenticity is key in these sessions and Laetitia openly shares her struggles and her coping strategies. She creates a safe space for people to open up, to show her their true selves, and let her help them navigate the workplace. A recurring topic for working mothers is how to manage the guilt . She helps them find their ways and power in what others may see as quirks or vulnerabilities. The ultimate recognition for Laetitia is the feedback she receives from members of her team and their clients. “It's often unexpected, coming out of the blue, and it's always appreciated. Knowing you're making a positive difference is such a great reward,” she exclaims. Responsibilities As Managing Director Laetitia, who defines herself as a visionary, is the lead for Accenture's Data & AI business for Europe, which means she's responsible for ensuring its strategic growth. Data is a key enabler for business growth and having the opportunity to lead the charge in this space is a phenomenal opportunity. “I would say my days are far from regular. That's why I enjoy my work. Oscillating between client requests and the business the piece of work we're doing, means wearing multiple hats and constant multitasking. Every day is exciting,” she states. Laetitia thrives on the challenge of staying on top of market trends, innovating, and

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delivering leading-edge value to their clients is always on top of her mind. Balance In Personal And Professional Life Laetitia claims to be a very driven person and she is passionate about what she does. When she sets a goal for herself, she achieves it. That said, she states that she can't do it on her own. She has a fabulous support system. Her family understands the demands she places on herself and gives her the space to operate. Similarly, she recognizes that getting the balance right for herself and them requires the right dynamic. They create a good space to thrive as a whole. Secondly, she surrounds herself with very smart, capable individuals. They are people she trusts, people who challenge her, people who are better than her, people who complement her and each other. Laetitia tries to create an environment for them to ﬂourish. They create a north star and vision of what they would like to achieve as a business and consistently celebrate their successes. Giving teams autonomy and recognition sparks productivity and collaboration. It fosters growth and helps achieve shared objectives. “It's also not always about work; we have great programs encouraging wellbeing. People are not just a set of professional skills. We consider the whole person,” she says. In addition, Accenture provides a world of possibilities for reinvention. It's a great place for someone to deﬁne their space and their interest and drive their ambitions for growth. Laetitia states that when her team grows and is successful, so does the

business. They strive to thrive together and that's how they keep raising the bar. Pearls Of Wisdom For Her Younger Self & Aspiring Businesswomen “I would give my younger self the gift of having more hope. Nothing is impossible if you put your mind to it. We are all humans, even the people at the very top of the career ladder. They are there because of their choices, their focus, their sacriﬁces, their hard work,” says Laetitia, “Where you come from may give you an advantage but it is not deﬁning who you are. I'm proof of that, the proud daughter of a single teen mum,” she further adds. She now has a fantastic mix of international experience, she's made a wonderful family, and she's achieved things that amaze her every day. Laetitia believes in herself, in her abilities, and took opportunities that she created or that presented themselves. Her message for aspiring businesswomen is - don't compromise on your values and interests. These become your framework and guide to reaching your level of success. “In the end, what matters is to be passionate about what you're doing. Stop proving yourself and keep improving yourself; do it because it matters to you. The rewards and recognition will follow,” she adds.

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JANE STEVENSEN A Leader With An Unsurpassable Record In Supporting Businesses In Their Sustainability Journey

uccess is different for everyone. Whether it's achieving accomplishments in building a thriving business, academic prowess, public recognition, financial gain, bringing up a family, playing a musical instrument, cooking something delicious, whatever form it takes, for Jane Stevensen, Founding Director of JS Global Advisory, success comes from following a passion and striving to make a difference – and not just for her individually but for the people and the issues that matter to her. Leading A Company To Success Is Not An Easy Road To Take Jane's career has taken her from the world of international oil & gas exploration to advising global organisations on environmental risk and opportunity, governance, climate strategy, and engagement across the

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whole spectrum of ESG. Jane's working environment has ranged from the oil rigs of the North Sea, the rare Jarrah Forest of Western Australia, the rainforest of Papua New Guinea, to the Apennine Mountain home of the European Brown bear. Many of these places comprise fragile ecosystems with enormous environmental challenges, which led her ultimately to set up her own business. Working in such beautiful and extraordinary locations, and with her underlying love of the natural world, a passion since Jane was a small child, led her to a clear understanding that the planet is a stakeholder in all operational activity, and through the amazing people she met and the teams she led, developed her belief that business has the potential to be a real force for good. “My journey has taken me through a route

encompassing international business, commerce, academia, and the third sector. I have gained insight and experience from the oil & gas industry, academic institutions, management consultancy, ﬁnancial services, and inﬂuential climate NGOs, eventually leading me to set up JS Global Advisory in 2018”. After a long career in the commercial world, Jane grasped the opportunity to spend time in the NGO sector for four years leading up to that point in 2018. Jane was able to draw on over 20 years of experience in senior roles with leading organisations, building on expertise in creating global engagement programs and developing sustainability-driven strategies. She gained extensive international speaking experience as chair, moderator, and panellist at global events including the UN Climate

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Conferences most recently at COP 26 in Glasgow in November 2021, at the annual World Economic Forum meetings, the UNCTAD World Investment Forum meetings, the UN Environment Programme, New York Climate Week, and the Global Sustainable Innovation Forum events. Jane is also an advisor to a global consortium on planetary re-greening and re-balancing the carbon budget. This group is comprised of senior business leaders, high net worth individuals, academics, and policy experts, working towards developing a new framework for understanding climate change, and addressing six action areas for implementation.

successful corporate career, but she would call it a major milestone, and a decision that in many ways was a leap of faith. She viewed this as an unprecedented opportunity to work with people whose passion for the planet resonated with her own, without the pressure of shareholder returns, and by doing so she was able to eﬀectively contribute towards achieving the critical changes the world needs in addressing climate change.

Challenges Make You Stronger When Jane started her career in the Oil industry, there were very few women in the professional world she was inhabiting, and being the lone woman was something she became very used to. There were many occasions when that could have been difficult, but she states she has a definite “glass-half-full” approach to life and has always loved a challenge. “My years in the Oil industry provided me with the opportunity to build real resilience and strength – when working on location there's no HR department to ask questions of, and no time to ask them anyway – you have to deal with the situation as it arises. I believe that, as a woman in those situations, the combination of professionalism and clear understanding of the requirements of the working environment, together with a strong degree of empathy and understanding creates a powerful recipe for success,” she explains. Jane's decision to move from the commercial world to the non-profit third sector could be viewed in some ways as a roadblocking moment in a

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JS Global Advisory And Its Services JS Global Advisory works across sectors and brings particular knowledge, insight, expertise, and understanding of the natural resources and energy industries – often called the “hard-to-abate” sectors. Their approach to sustainability consulting and climate change strategy and engagement is built on a unique understanding of the diverse perspectives that influence the way governments, businesses and financial market participants address the megatrends affecting our planet and society.

The key areas of focus for clients consist of: Engagement programs, sustainability strategy, TCFD advisory – implementing the recommendations of the Taskforce for Climate-related Financial Disclosures, and ESG services – providing a full service Environmental, Social, and Governance advisory capability. Staying Abreast In A Competitive Industry The JS Global clientele ranges from global FTSE 250 companies to small independents. Climate change and the need for a sustainable business strategy affect every business and everyone in it. From the initial launch of JS Global, Jane has built strong relationships with other major advisory organisations, and they now have working partnerships with several firms including one of the WPP Group of communications agencies, one of the world's topranking global energy, research and data firms, and a highly respected and influential London and New Yorkbased financial communications and reputation management consultancy. The vision of JS Global in the next five years is to be able to provide the toolkit for businesses, regardless of sector or size, to address both the risks and opportunities of climate change and be part of the global solution. Moreover, they want to be able to inspire organizations to believe they really can do it and radically increase ambition to achieve much greater targets than they thought possible. Influencing Change As A Woman In Leadership

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“Part of being successful for me is being able to contribute to a wider community and give time, insight, and support to younger people. Mentoring, supporting and listening, passing on knowledge and understanding is an essential part of how I live my life,” says Jane. She is a mentor for two fantastic initiatives supporting young women – 'INSEAD IW50' and 'Inspiring the Future'. She completed her MBA at INSEAD, the international business school headquartered in Fontainebleau, France, and jumped at the chance to be a mentor on their IW50 program, established in 2017 on the 50th anniversary of women joining the MBA program. Inspiring the Future is an incredible UK-based charity that matches volunteer mentors with schools, to give the students opportunities to hear from people from across the professional world and boost their motivation, attainment and prospects. The programme is particularly targeted on working with schools in underprivileged communities to inspire the future generation. Jane's Life Before JS Global Advisory Before establishing the JS Global Advisory business, Jane was combining the challenges of working life with family life. She was building her career, and became a Director of a major Environmental Management Consultancy when she was expecting her ﬁrst child, and continued to work - sometimes part-time - as her family grew. She took some time out from the business world when her three sons were small, went into academia for a while as a Course Director for the University of Cambridge, becoming involved in the development of CISL, the Cambridge

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Institute for Sustainability Leadership. Throughout all of this, her family has been the most important part of the equation. “To be able to do this requires a huge amount of planning and prioritisation, a lot of help and back-up, and right at the top of the list, it's vital to keep hold of your sense of humour!” The start of Jane's career was dominated by travel and adventure. Joining the international oil industry opened up a world of new and exciting environments, and a need to be self-sufficient and able to think on your feet. Plus the occasional frisson of danger and no idea how things were going to turn out. She declares that she wouldn't have wanted it any other way. Jane states, “Since establishing JS Global Advisory, it is enormously gratifying - and rather humbling - to find myself regularly invited to speak and participate at major world events, most recently for example at COP26, and recognised as a voice to be listened to, addressing the climatechange-related challenges the world faces,” She has spent almost all of her working life focused on this. “To see so much engagement now with these complex issues from business, industry, governments and institutions alike – although we have an enormous challenge ahead of us to address global warming – is incredible,” she adds. Balance In Personal And Professional Life As Founding Director, Jane, who defines herself as an Optimist, says that the business reflects her style and approach. She is collaborative, she likes to listen to all viewpoints, and

determine the facts, but also the nuances and opinions of all the parties involved. The business is now a partnership, and her co-directors are involved in all the key decisions and client engagement. As the world is beginning to emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic, our ways of working are starting to go through another period of change as we begin to get back into oﬃces and public spaces. Jane is an early riser, a lark not an owl. The morning is spent checking the emails, working on client pitches, and responding to requests. She has a daily morning Zoom call with her senior business partner where they touch base on what's needed for the day, review new opportunities, discuss the current projects, and generally catch up. She takes a break and if she can she gets out into the fresh air and takes her dog for a walk. Then back to her desk for the afternoon, often with client calls and reviews. Jane enjoys cooking, and dinner is usually around her kitchen table with whoever is at home from her family. She is looking forward to getting back to the theatre and opera which she loves, and supporting the arts again. Work-life balance is always a real challenge, and although the pandemic has been devastating for the world in many ways, Jane thinks it has shown us new ways to work and create a more realistic and healthier approach to managing our time. Spending unnecessary hours travelling is something we should be avoiding – for our health and well-being, and it reduces our carbon footprint so it's good for the planet too. Jane claims to be a perfectionist, and second-best simply doesn't cut it for her.

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STEFANO PAULUZZI The Discipline of Excellence

and Customer-Centric Leadership

or some leaders, success is measured in titles, profits, or milestones. For Stefano Pauluzzi, it has always been about one thing: customer satisfaction. From luxury hotels in Shanghai to pioneering service frameworks in Dubai, his career has been shaped by the conviction that excellence is not an abstract pursuit but something that clients should feel in every interaction. “Customer satisfaction is the true measure of success,” he explains, a belief that has guided him through diverse industries and leadership roles. Today, he continues to refine that principle by blending hospitality expertise, supply chain discipline, and advanced technology into a model of service excellence that is both structured and human. Defining Instances That Created a Career Every leader has a journey, but few are marked by as many transformative

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chapters as Stefano's. His early career in hospitality instilled the fundamentals of service and leadership, while his tenure at InterContinental Shanghai NECC taught him how to deliver under relentless pressure. “Those years gave me the foundations of empathy, resilience, and consistency,” he says. The pandemic was a catalyst. What appeared as a disruption opened up a window of reinvention. Assisting his family's shipping line while earning a Master's in Supply Chain Management enabled him to diversify his knowledge beyond hospitality. "It taught me that adaptability is leadership," he maintains, explaining how Lean Six Sigma and root cause analysis became paramount in his toolkit. Later, at Kerzner International, Stefano led Quality at the group level, while being part of the Operational Team, which spearheaded the pre-

opening of six signature properties, like Atlantis The Royal and One&Only One Za'abeel. Here, One&Only Kéa Island left a particular impression. "We hardly had time to impose standards and inculcate teams in a seasonal setup. Everyone felt consistency was not feasible under such conditions, yet by applying Quality Standards on the ﬂoor, the excellence of service came as a surprise even to skeptics," he recollects. Such instances reinforced in him that excellence is not about resources, it's about structure, clarity, and discipline. “Excellence is never an accident: it is built when you solve root causes with discipline and protect the client's trust.” Injecting Excellence into One's Organization Culture Today at IFZA, Stefano puts this vast knowledge to use as Head of Service

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Head of service excellence

IFZA

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Excellence. The vision is to make excellence a way of being rather than a task to achieve. “When people find meaning in what they do, excellence follows naturally,” he explains. Rather than treating quality as a reactive measure, Stefano implements root cause analysis, Lean Six Sigma methods, and AI-driven solutions within each process. In this way, excellence is preventive, management is regular, and quantifiable. The core tenet of this philosophy is the pursuit of excellence. When processes are effortless, service is not only efficient, it becomes a reflection of true commitment to success and meaningful experiences. Issues That Were Turning Points The moments that shape a leader are often born from challenges. For Stefano, the pandemic became a defining test of adaptability and resilience, while the fast-paced environment of seasonal hospitality taught him to create structure where none seemed possible. Both experiences deepened his belief in discipline. “Excellence is not about the resources you have, but about the clarity and structure you bring,” he emphasizes.

“Service excellence means creating an experience so seamless that the client feels everything was designed just for them. Creating a Culture of Responsibility More than systems and processes, Stefano understands that sustainable excellence is about people. His leadership mantra in a nutshell: listen, analyze, act. "Listening captures the voice of the client. Analyzing with root cause tools makes sure that we solve the correct issues. Acting by enabling teams makes accountability feel second nature in culture," he clariﬁes. By putting improvement as a team responsibility instead of a directive, he gets teams to accept continuous improvement instead of ﬁghting it. Recognition is key in this regard. Being celebrated in small steps of advancement helps reinforce accountability and pride of

ownership. In his world, excellence is about a culture in which advancement is not enforced; it's celebrated. Keeping Ahead of Changing Expectations One of the most rapidly evolving marketplaces in the world, the Middle East sees client expectations fluctuating at a whirlwind pace. Stefano stays one step ahead by blending real-time data with human judgment. "Data shows trends, people show feelings," he believes. AI-based intelligence gives velocity to spot new needs, while in-person discussions with clients and partners guarantee that empathy is never sacrificed in favor of efficiency. Analytics and empathy in tandem mean expectations are anticipated, not responded to. “The future of service is not reactive; it is predictive, preventive, and profoundly human.”

These lessons now dictate how he maintains consistency across functions and customer touchpoints. Consistency, to him, is about visibility. "Consistency is derived out of visibility and intelligence," he asserts. Through AI solutions and Lean Six Sigma methodologies, his team is able to monitor compliance, identify risks, and suggest improvement opportunities. In his estimation, standards must never be abstract. They need to be seen, quantiﬁed, and experienced daily.

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Role of Technology in Excellence Technology, in Stefano's opinion, is not a means, it is a catalyst. AI solutions are being introduced in service platforms to anticipate risks, streamline processes, and tailor experiences. But, in his argument, technology alone is not enough. Technology must be channeled by structure. "AI gives us speed, Six Sigma gives us structure, and both allow our people to shine in empathy and creativity," he illustrates. Customization and eﬃciency are not mutually exclusive, in his opinion, but are instead complements. By eliminating ineﬃciency with Lean Six Sigma and taking mundane work away that AI makes automated, his teams spend more time crafting customization experiences. "That's how transactions turn into relationships," he argues. Achievements that Inspire Growth Among recent milestones, Stefano highlights the infusion of AI into the service excellence model as a natural evolution of Lean Six Sigma in the digital age. By combining predictive power with root cause discipline, this approach has led to faster processes,

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sharper insights, and enhanced quality of service. "To me, this is about proving innovation safeguarded client interests and fortified relationships," Stefano says. “My legacy is simple: a culture where excellence is not an act, but a habit.” A Tradition of Consistency and Compassion When asked what advice he would give to junior professionals, Stefano is quick to highlight the importance of discipline. "Learn root cause thinking as a discipline. Don't take superficial solutions. Improve your knowledge of Lean Six Sigma, consider AI as a friend, and always keep in mind the client," he advises. Leadership, in his focus, is more about impact, rather than title. "Leadership is solving significant issues," he asserts.

teams anticipate issues rather than responding to them and in which customers are treated with dignity every step of the way. Conclusion From luxury hotels to international supply chains to now one of the world's premier free zones, Stefano Pauluzzi's life is proof of adaptability, organization, and determination. His one-word philosophy: excellence results when empathy, organization, and innovation converge. By bringing together structured improvement practices with digital innovation, he is helping raise the bar for delivering service that is both eﬃcient and deeply human. In a world in which expectations grow daily, it is a reminder that a leader's real legacy is not gauged in terms of title or accomplishment, but in repeated satisfaction of customers.

In the future, Stefano envisions a culture of excellence instilled, not imposed. "My legacy must be a culture of customer satisfaction, of Lean Six Sigma discipline, of AI solution, hand in hand," argues Stefano. For him, meaningful impact means building systems in which

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MARYAM RASTEGAR POOR Shaping Futures Through Music and Dance Education

ome people follow a path that's been laid out before them. Others build their own. Maryam Rastegar Poor is one of the latter. As co-founder of Melodica Music Academy, she's doing more than just running a business; she's shaping a cultural shift across the UAE through music, movement, and meaningful education. Her work blends business with artistry, passion with purpose. She brings a performer's heart and an entrepreneur's mind into everything she does, leading with both intuition and intention. The result is a music and dance academy that has become one of the most respected institutions of its kind in the region. A Passion-Based Vision Maryam's journey started with music.

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It was not a career strategy; it was who she was. "Music has been an integral part of my identity right from childhood," she states. What started as a personal interest slowly turned into a professional mission. When she joined forces with her business partner, Afshin, to open Melodica, it wasn't to become an entrepreneur. It was to provide something she felt the area lacked, a dearth of organized, quality music and dance education. The academy didn't have overnight success. It was years of hard work, study, and perfecting. Melodica is now the UAE's biggest music and dance academy, but to Maryam, its true triumph is the number of lives it has changed. Melodica has developed over the years as a cultural epicenter where talent is harvested and aspirations soar," she clariﬁed.

“Success in music comes from mastering both your passion and your purpose.” Balancing Creativity and Business Acumen Maryam ﬁts two hats: one for an artist, the other for a businesswoman. She doesn't perceive them as mutually exclusive but sees them as complementing each other. “We've implemented a robust business framework that ensures sustainability without compromising artistic integrity,” she shared. At Melodica, this means constant innovation, strong operations, and a deep respect for the creative process. Whether it's updating the curriculum, expanding branches, or introducing new teaching methodologies, Maryam

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makes sure every move is grounded in strategy but powered by heart. Students don't just attend classes; they explore their voice, their style, and their confidence. Overcoming Challenges in a Creative Industry Leading an academy in the arts is not without its unique challenges. One of the biggest has been maintaining consistent quality as the academy grows. With multiple branches and hundreds of staff, staying true to the original vision takes continuous effort. "Finding and keeping enthusiastic teachers who share our vision is always a priority," she clarified. Staffing is just half the battle, however. With technology transforming education and student needs changing, Maryam has had to evolve. From reformulating oldfashioned teaching methods to adopting computer-based learning platforms, she's responded to these changes with wonder and imagination. To her, every challenge is an invitation to learn.

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“Innovation starts with listening—to your students, your team, and your inner artist.”

can learn, perform, and receive anything they may need to fuel their path.

Keeping Pace with a Changing World

Teaching with Empathy

What keeps Melodica on the cutting edge is not only its certification programs, but also the fact that it listens and reacts. Maryam and her staff remain in close touch with students, parents, and the wider market, responding seriously to feedback and using it to drive development. "Our courses change according to the feedback and market conditions," she says. Technology is a big part of it. Melodica provides online music instruction and incorporates AI tools to provide a more personalized learning experience. Their retail department, offering top-shelf musical instruments such as their own Steiner and Heinrich brand, provides students with resources equal to their aspirations. This method transforms the academy into something greater than an academy. It becomes a complete experience where students

To Maryam, leadership is not about rank; it's about human beings. "To me, leadership is about vision, empathy, and empowerment," she states. She doesn't simply care about performance indicators or policy. She cares about people. By building a culture of trust, she inspires her teachers to innovate and her students to thrive. She listens, she supports, and she creates room for collaboration. Excellence feels within reach in this type of environment because it's based on belonging. Melodica's goal is not just to produce performers. It's to mold well-rounded people. "We work on performances, teamwork, discipline, and selfexpression so that it's a wholesome learning experience," she shared. Melodica students learn something beyond technique. They develop conﬁdence, emotional intelligence, and communication skills. From conquering stage presence to being a team player, they're acquiring tools

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that are far-reaching beyond the schoolroom. This is what makes the academy so powerful. It equips students for life, not recitals. “Music education is not an extracurricular; it's a foundation for life.” Celebrating Impact, Not Just Growth Asked to name the achievement she's proudest of, Maryam doesn't start with awards. She talks about tales. "Witnessing shy kids come alive and become confident performers on stage, witnessing our type of education empower lives, that's the impact that drives me," she says. Naturally, the recognition Melodica has achieved is noteworthy. From the Stevie International Business Award to the Gulf News Award for Excellence in Music Education, these accolades are evidence of the influence of the academy. However, for Maryam, actual success is intimate. It's quantified by change, not awards. Finding Balance in the Chaos It is no easy task to maintain a rapidly expanding business alongside one's well-being. But Maryam doesn't advocate about keeping work and life strictly separate. "Music is my passion as well as my profession, and therefore I derive satisfaction from my work," she adds. That purposeful feeling keeps her grounded. With an adequate support system, great delegation skills, and care for herself, she keeps her energy focused. Her secret isn't that she is perfect; it's that she is intentional with her energy and time.

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“When you teach music, you teach conﬁdence, discipline, and creativity all at once.” Advice for Dreamers and Doers Maryam's words of wisdom to young entrepreneurs from her own experience. "Stay attached to your passion, but construct with strategy. Invest in quality, innovate relentlessly, and build a culture that people want to be a part of," she said. She doesn't sugarcoat the reality that the arts business is uncertain. But she does point out the fun. Success, in her mind, falls to people who can merge imagination and discipline: people who dream, but work as well. A Cultural Vision for the Middle East Melodica, for Maryam, is more than music. It's creating cultural bridges and ﬁnding common ground for artistic expression in the region.

global performing arts and culture hub," she said. Whether through concerts, competitions, or outreach, the academy is emerging as a force for change, a force that elevates voices, bridges communities, and inspires futures. It's not merely about instruction in the arts. It's about crafting identity. A Legacy in the Making Looking forward, Maryam wishes to leave behind not just a brand. She wishes to leave a legacy. "My legacy is one of empowerment; giving children, artists, and communities the tools to express themselves, grow, and succeed," she states. Through Melodica, not only is she shaping the arts, but she is also changing the way education can develop the entire person. Her eﬀorts demonstrate that music is not merely something in school. It's a powerful agent of connection, healing, and change. And that's the future she's writing, one student at a time.

"We see Melodica as a cornerstone in the Middle East's development as a

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NICOLE MARTIN A Dynamic HR Leader Driven by Joy & Purpose

dynamic and empowering consultative leader, and a futurist skilled at helping organizations to meet their strategic objectives, Nicole Martin is an internationally renowned speaker and an author. Nicole is Chief Empowerment Officer and Founder of HRBoost®, LLC a Shared Services Consulting firm based in the north suburbs of Chicago. As a highly regarded and sought-after expert, her knowledge and advice have been featured in newspapers and magazines throughout the country. Recent publications in which she has been seen include Forbes.com, the Daily Herald Business Ledger, and Fast Company. She is the author of the books The Talent Emergency, The Human Side of Profitability, No Fear Negotiation for Women (August 2019), and The Power of Joy and

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Purpose. She is also the author of the chapter "Emotionally Speaking" in the book titled Leading from the Heart. In addition, Nicole is the host of the internet show, HR in the Fast Lane. In recognition of her complete commitment to professional excellence as well as her community, Nicole has been honored by multiple organizations, most recently as a 2016 Enterprising Women of the Year Champion by Enterprising Women Magazine, a 2017 Excellence in Business Award winner, and a Mirror Review enlistee of 20 Impeccable Women in Business recognition in 2017. The Journey of Becoming a Renowned Leader Nicole was also lucky to have a great

mentor early in life: her mom. "My mother is highly spiritual, and she raised me with the philosophy of being happy," said Nicole. "She always believed that you are a special person—she ingrained that in me—and you are capable of anything." At the age of 18, Nicole was ready to start proving her mom right. She left Montana and moved in with her godmother in Libertyville, Illinois. Right out of high school, Nicole got a job as a receptionist at a pre-Y2K ﬁrm where she found her passion quite by accident. "They were hiring all these computer experts from overseas, but when they arrived, the company just put them in the reception area because they didn't know what to do with them," recalled Nicole. "It was just inhumane." In 2010, Nicole left her corporate career to establish HRBoost®, LLC.

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Chief Empowerment Oﬃcer and Founder HRBoost

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Her initial vision was to ﬁnd leaders who wanted to be the next Best & Brightest® employer while providing support to growing businesses facing a myriad of workforce challenges. By 2012, she realized she needed a team. With 50% growth year over year, it became clear that HR outsourcing was not HR as she knew it and HRBoost® had found a niche. She asserts, "By 2013, my company had a solid team and when I looked across a table to see all those that worked for me, I became the Chief Empowerment Oﬃcer." The Challenges before Success According to Nicole, it is very common to face a lot of challenges, criticism, hurdles, and failure in any

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business. However, every business organization should be very careful to listen to its clients, their experience, and ways they can better serve them. As a CEO, one needs human and financial capital to scale and grow the business. She describes that HRBoost®'s biggest challenge has been access to capital, both financial and human. She says, "You must trust the people you hire and the process to work together to create a strong bench of talent. The flexibility and custom approach to how we work with clients has fueled our growth and success. " In the early years, Nicole was reacting to her business, and balancing work and family life may have been difficult as a mother and wife. When

she set down a process, hired qualiﬁed personnel, and then withdrew to let them work, the method proved to be successful; and now the team can repeat the process again, and again, and again. She opines, "When it is time to take a calculated risk, you invest and do what you can to increase the odds." HRBoost® HRBoost® specialises in delivering value to small and midsized businesses, who, unlike their larger counterparts, typically lack the time and resources to develop infrastructure and procedures that go beyond essential business goals. In today's environment, every ﬁrm must have a competitive advantage. Small

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and big businesses alike must attract, develop, and keep the finest employees while adhering to the everchanging maze of state and federal laws. Compensation, benefits, training, employee retention, talent recruitment, and generational adaptability are all challenges that must be addressed by all businesses. HRBoost® has developed a reputation for working with company leaders to achieve corporate objectives while preserving integrity and delivering exceptional outcomes. Professional services, non-profit organisations, high-tech, manufacturing, staffing firms, hospitality, and healthcare are just a few of the industries it supports. Nicole says, "Our clients are typically high-growth businesses with 50-250 employees. Our model is to meet the clients wherever they are, thus we provide full-service embedded HR support, project to project support, culture design and management training, employee programs and assessments, virtual support, and phone support. " Nicole feels honored to lead a high performance team of HR leaders who partner with business clients to meet them wherever they are on their journey, to being the best place to work. The company has experienced tremendous growth and, proudly, nearly every client has been sourced through word of mouth. Nicole says, "Our appeal and success is due to our personal dedication to each and every client." Bringing JOY, PURPOSE and PEOPLE together In today's competitive world, only a few companies offer the best Human Resources Management System

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available, and HRBoost® LLC is one of them. At HRBoost®, the management focused on bringing JOY and PURPOSE to PEOPLE through their work. It is similar to how it serves its clients and the people that choose to join up with their visions. The management states, "We live it at HRBoost® and believe everyone deserves the same opportunity." Living a Balanced Life Nicole feels it is imperative to get hands on experience doing what one seeks to learn. She says, "Make sure it brings you joy before investing time, energy, and dedicating your life to it. Enjoy the journey and be prepared to learn, unlearn, and relearn. Surround yourself with people who inspire and support you, but also don't patronize you. Remember, even if it gets harder, or takes longer, stay diligent. Anything you love will be worth it. " Nicole prioritized her family throughout her life. She also understands what she needs in order to feel well and perform at her best. She doesn't work on weekends. She says, "I am never gone from the dinner table with my family for more than 2 nights a week. I live in the

present moment and commit it with intention daily. It's an intentional practice. I work out regularly and love to ﬁsh, go boating, hiking, and explore with my family. I enjoy nature and try to simply be with it whenever possible. I also believe in peer groups. I have a CEO peer group that keeps me laser focused and inspired. I have a women's CEO group that keeps me feeling synergy and sisterhood. I also love my husband dearly and work date nights as often as we can swing it. As my mother taught me long ago, work hard, play hard. " Future Plans HRBoost® recently engaged a partner to be the HR Expert on Demand and this truly takes the bench strength to small businesses across the country via phone. While they prefer in person, like everyone these days, the company has gone digital. Nicole opines, "Thus, our borders are expanding too. I hire from other states and our clients in Chicago have taken us with them to other states. "

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YILMAZ BOZAN An Astute Marketer and Skilled Business Leader

ılmaz Bozan, CEO and Founder of revolutionDM, is an industrial engineer with over 20 years of experience in the internet industry. He founded the ﬁrst online home furniture sales business in Turkey, and went on to operate and consult in a variety of industries, including consumer electronics, vacations, airlines, textiles, shoes, and fast moving consumer goods. Yılmaz Bozan's name appears in numerous e-commerce site start-ups, and his role is to introduce businesses to e-commerce and build performance-oriented digital marketing strategies. He's worked on conversion-boosting techniques including neuro marketing and growth hacking, and he now consults businesses on these topics. Yılmaz has worked with both small and large businesses. He worked long

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hours on coding and graphic design in addition to being a white collar worker. Before revolutionDM, he spent his time honing other hard skills that are the foundations of digital marketing. He explains, "These have motivated me to start this business, and I am pleased to see that I have put in the effort to develop these skills." Taking First Steps as an Entrepreneur Yılmaz had the chance to collaborate with a variety of firms while working as the digital marketing director for a big consumer electronics retailer in Turkey. He has recently noticed marketing companies failing to comprehend their clients' difficulties and disadvantages. Being with entrepreneurs in Dublin in 2014 inspired him to start a firm that fills that gap and understands the demands

of companies as well as the complexities of this fast-paced expanding business in Turkey, while also delivering benchmark service in its own manner. In 2015, Yılmaz founded the Internet Advertising Services and Consulting company called "revolutionDM". At the same time, he was arranging "Digital Marketing and E-commerce" training and certificate programmes at several institutions, as well as writing articles for well-known publications and websites. revolutionDM revolutionDM is a digital marketing firm that places a strong emphasis on results. The firm sets itself apart from the competition by the level of service it delivers and the strategy it takes. Yılmaz says, "Our approach is being one with our clients as if we are

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CEO and Founder revolutionDM

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working together at their premises. We like to act as their colleagues, in other words, their Director of Digital Marketing. Not like an agency, but an employee who has organic bounds going through challenges side by side. That's why we are not aﬀected by the competition due to our approach and our business model."

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Growth Hacking

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Neuro Marketing

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Mobile Marketing

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UX/UI Desing / Optimizastion

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E-Commerce Consulting

RevolutionDM's main service categories are as follows:

The Global Challenge and Team RevolutionDM

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SEO (Search Engine Optimization)

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SEM (Search Engine Marketing)

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SMM (Social Media Marketing)

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Conversion Optimization

The last two years during the epidemic were very diﬃcult for the revolutionDM teams, since they are currently dealing with it. revolutionDM was able to survive this diﬃcult phase because of the team's excellent relationships with the company's clients. In exchange, the

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ﬁrm has worked extremely hard to maintain the best level of service, despite the fact that the economics of the pandemic period are still shifting and tough. The team's vision is to go global and have partners as well as clients on all continents, while keeping the unique service level at its highest. CEO of revolutionDM Yılmaz's role in the company is like a mentor and big brother. Since the beginning, revolutionDM has set the company's organisational structure without hierarchy, in which communication among the teams and clients is seamless and frictionless. He describes it thusly, "We treat our clients' issues as our own problems,

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just as our colleagues' issues. There is no distinction between overseeing their digital communication processes of clients, taking action before they cause any major damage and our colleagues' problems." Yılmaz goes on to say that the company's executives' attitude and pleasant corporate culture keep employees engaged, and that no matter what occurs, a solution will always be found. This approach, according to Yılmaz, characterises revlutionDM's ideals, which is why individuals in this sector's ecosystem chose revlutionDM. Yılmaz says, "I used to work in a pharmacy, so I even take care of my colleagues' health problems and sometimes I give medical treatment to my colleagues when necessary." Following the Routine Yılmaz says, "I love what I am doing here." He works long hours, even after midnight on weekdays, but his Sundays are always free. Over the years, he has learned how to manage his time. He states, "My hairdresser appointment is set weeks before. I plan my days, weeks and even months in advance so that I can squeeze personal time and responsibilities in between. That helps a lot to balance your work and life. To me, if you manage your time well, you manage what you want to achieve." Hard work always Pays Oﬀ In the previous ﬁve years, revolutionDM has added new clients in the United States, Europe, and the Middle East, with the number of clients in Europe increasing dramatically last year. WOM was the company's marketing approach, which meant that existing customers

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recommended it to new ones. The firm does not have a landing page, but it does have personal social media profiles, which is interesting. Another intriguing aspect is that it has clients who do not speak the same language. Yılmaz says, "We manage digital marketing processes for a Polish client through translation for the last 8 months and it's still working perfectly. We are confident in our knowledge and experience. " Yılmaz has coded more than 400 websites, managed over a billion traffic and set up countless ecommerce start-ups with the help of tonnes of coffee and sleepless nights over the years. He says, "Anyone who would like to capitalise our knowledge and experience for their venture and company is always welcome at revolutionDM." View on Success In 2009, Yılmaz started to give courses about digital marketing. After 10 years, his students become professionals working for big enterprises. He feels very proud when

he meets them again. He considers the biggest achievement for him to be the people whose lives he has contributed to. He says, "It's amazing to see the power of spreading knowledge and information and how it impacts people's professional lives." If Yılmaz had to choose three qualities that helped him succeed in business, he would say imagination, persistence and values. He continues to state that everything begins with a dream and that when one has a dream, one must strive and fail in order to keep the dream alive. He mentions that it takes every possible way and tries various strategies to make that dream come true. That also requires discipline and persistence. He says, "Having values and respect towards your surroundings and people that you work with, success becomes inevitable." www.yilmazbozan.comyilmaz@revolu tiondm.com www.linkedin.com/in/yilmazbozan/ www.instagram.com/yilmazbozan

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