Sean Jacobs: Iconic Business Leaders of the Year 2025 | CIO Views Magazine

A New Era of Business Trailblazers

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Over the years, there is a select group of business people whose behavior and achievements set a new standard for "strong" leadership. They are not known for their short-term impact; rather, they are recognized for their authentic leadership with conviction, a long-haulperspective,andanappreciationforhumanpriorities.They arerevolutionariesintheirindustries,takinginnovationseriouslyasa disciplinedframeworkasopposedtoasingledeclaration,sothereisa commitment to innovation with structure, clarity and consciousness of measurable outcomes. Their leadership is rooted in values, empathy, or an readiness to make difficult and sometimes hard decisions, with transparency and accountability. They value employees, partners and consumers, with an intrinsic interest that theyarearelevantvoiceincreatingsuccess,toadvanceorganizations and themselves, to advance the mission of their organizations, with a shared vision of purposeful intent. This influence occurs not only at the board table, but also in the development of confidence in teams, andopportunitiesforfuturegenerations.

AtCIOViews,wehonortheseempoweringleadersbydedicatingthis issue titled “Iconic Business Leaders of the Year 2025” to them. Featuring as the cover story, we have covered the successful & motivating journey of Sean Jacobs, Chief Technology Officer at CERG. We have also included the inspiring stories of Saša Marinković, Owner & CEO of PEOPLE FOCUS doo; Aziza Abed, Founder and CEO of Pure Health Dental Partners; Boaz Levi, PresidentandCEOofIsraelAerospaceIndustries;GordonTredgold, CEO & Managing Consultant of Leadership Principles Ltd.; Louise Hampton, Owner and Chiropractor of Attend2Health; John Dowd, CEO of Fiduciary Trust International; Elena Herweyer, CEO of Art Fresh Inc.; Krantz Mwantepele, CEO of KONCEPT GROUP; and JosephChan,CEOofAsiaPay.

CIO Views is a business magazine that mainly focuses on business leaders,theirjourney,viewsoncurrenteconomicstates,andallother relevant subjects that refer to the business world. Our goal is to be a leadingsourceofinformationdedicatedtoprovidingourreaderswith detailed perspectives and views of successful business leaders who aretransformingthebusinessoutlookandredefiningtheirgoals.With exclusive editions on various industries like software, education, healthcare, technology, real estate, and many more, CIO Views is driventopromoteexcellenceintheworldofbusiness.

20. Saša Marinković

Aziza Abed 24.

Boaz Levi 28.

Gordon Tredgold 34.

Louise Hampton 38. John Dowd 42.

Elena Herweyer 48.

Krantz Mwantepele 52. Joseph Chan 60.

Driving Innovation and Sustainability Through Technology

Sean's leadership experience spans 25+ years across diverse industries, from startups to multinationals, and his technical and business acumen is bolstered by advanced degrees and certifications, driving CERG's technological advancements. He has played a key role in the development and execution of a cutting-edge demonstration plant project, leveraging advanced technology to transform EOL tyres into valuable recycled materials.

With an MBAand CISM certification, Sean specializes in aligning technology with business objectives, fostering collaboration, and delivering high-quality outcomes for stakeholders. His passion for innovation and sustainability drives him to push the boundaries of what's possible in tyre recycling and resource recovery.

Sean has applied his expertise to integrate smart technology solutions that enhance operational efficiency, data security, and compliance within the recycling sector. His strategic leadership has contributed to optimizing process automation, improving supply chain visibility, and ensuring adherence to industry regulations.

Leading with Clarity, Purpose, and Impact

Reflecting on his journey into technology leadership and his current role at CERG, Sean recalls that he was “always drawn to solving problems that matter.” Early on, he saw how technology could be a force for good - especially in tackling environmental challenges. That spark led him and the other founders to build CERG from the ground up.

“I didn't just want to innovate; I wanted to create systems that could be

replicated across borders and actually move the needle on sustainability. Today, I get to lead a team that's turning waste into energy and ideas into infrastructure. It's the kind of work that keeps you up at night - in the best way,” he observes.

As a big believer in clarity, integrity, and long-term thinking, Sean insists that if a solution isn't scalable or doesn't align with circular economy principles, it's not worth pursuing. “I've learned that innovation isn't just about being clever - it's about being responsible. Whether I'm navigating regulations or designing modular facilities, I always ask: 'Will this still make sense in five years? Will it serve the

community?' That mindset keeps me grounded and focused,” he explains.

Clarity is the primary guiding principle that helps him navigate both professional challenges and personal growth. “Clarity builds trust. Whether I'm leading a team, pitching to investors, or making a tough call, I aim for clarity - in my vision, my words, and my actions. It's the foundation of good leadership and good relationships. And it's what helps me sleep at night,” he shares.

Turning Waste Tyres Into Clean Energy Solutions

Every year, 1.5 billion tyres are

discarded. Most end up incinerated, buried in a landfill, or processed into low-quality by-products, all of which create massive amounts of toxic greenhouse gases and environmental harm. CERG transforms end-of-life tyres into valuable reusable materials while producing clean energy, eliminating waste to landfill, and aligning with global sustainability goals.

Using advanced zero-emission technology like microwave plasma pyrolysis, CERG converts tyres into 99.97% pure hydrogen, high-purity carbon black, acetic acid, and green electricity, all with minimal residue, transforming waste into clean hydrogen, creating a powerful solution for renewable energy.

CERG is leading the way in clean energy innovation, driving toward a more sustainable future with cuttingedge technology that provides a sustainable way to legally dispose of end-of-life tyres, ensuring environmental compliance while also supplying 100% clean, emission-free

hydrogen and electricity.

In terms of innovation, Sean is excited about the intersection of carbon black, graphene, and hydrogen - especially when it's powered by problematic waste like end-of-life tyres. “It's not just innovative; it's

regenerative. CERG is building modular facilities that turn waste into high-value exports, and we're layering inAI to optimize operations and carbon credit monetization. We're not just keeping up - we're helping shape what's next,” he declares.

Balancing Innovation, Leadership, and Life

As CTO of CERG, Sean notes that no two days are the same, but they all start with coffee and a clear plan. Mornings are usually technical - reviewing systems, refining models, making sure their compliance docs are airtight.Afternoons shift toward leadership: investor calls, team check-ins, and strategic planning across their projects in Turkey, Vietnam, andAustralia. “I stay hands-on with the tech because it keeps me sharp, but I also make space to listen, guide, and empower the team. It's a balancing act, but one I genuinely enjoy,” he shares.

Admitting that work-life integration isn't easy, Sean notes that he has learned to integrate rather than separate. “When your work aligns with your values, it becomes part of who you are - not something you clock in and out of. I make time for reflection, for family, and for the occasional chill out in front of the fire.And I try to be fully present - whether I'm in a boardroom or at a barbecue. That's what keeps me balanced,” he affirms.

Building Global Impact Through Resilient Leadership

On his path to leadership, expanding CERG commercially and internationally was a task that Sean found most challenging. “Every country has its own regulatory maze, and getting our infrastructure aligned with local policies takes patience, precision, and a lot of late nights. But it taught me the value of adaptability and trust - trust in the process, in your team, and in the mission. That experience isn't just shaping me as a leader; it's making me more resilient and much more strategic,” he notes.

One achievement that Sean is most proud of in his career was the milestone of launching CERG and expanding into international joint ventures. It proved that its model - clean, modular, and scalablecould work across cultures and climates. In addition, their partnerships in Turkey and Vietnam can potentially influence policy and are now attracting global interest. “Seeing something you've built spark change at that level? That's the kind of moment you hold onto,” he muses.

Aligning Technology, People, and Purpose

Sean ensures that CERG's technology strategy aligns with its broader business goals and customer needs by “really listening” to its stakeholders, partners, and customers. Then they reverse-engineer their tech strategy to fit those needs, while ensuring that every system they build is designed to be compliant, scalable, and exportready. “We also keep a close eye on market shifts and regulatory updates to make sure we're not just aligned - we're ahead,” he states.

Within his tech teams, Sean leads with curiosity and openness to foster a culture of creativity and collaboration. “I want people to feel safe bringing bold ideas to the tableeven if they're a little half-baked. We develop modular systems, so every team member owns a piece of the puzzle. That ownership fuels creativity. I also encourage crosspollination - engineers talking to strategists, designers bouncing ideas off compliance leads. When people

feel heard and trusted, collaboration becomes second nature,” he elaborates.

Empowering the Next Generation of Innovators

Sean shares that mentorship plays a huge role in his professional life. “I've had mentors who helped me see around corners, and now I try to do the same for others.At CERG, we pair junior team members with

experienced leads, but we also flip the script - encouraging younger voices to challenge our thinking. I want the next generation to feel empowered, not intimidated. They're not just the future - they're the present,” he reflects.

To aspiring CTOs or tech entrepreneurs looking to make a meaningful impact, Sean offers the following words of wisdom: “Start with purpose. Don't just build cool

stuff - build things that solve real problems. Learn the regulatory ropes, design for scale, and communicate like your future depends on it. Surround yourself with people who challenge you, and stay humble. The tech world moves fast, but impact takes time. Be patient, be bold, and stay curious.”

Conclusion

Through his work at CERG and in the

tech industry at large, Sean Jacobs hopes to leave behind a blueprintsomething others can pick up, adapt, and scale.Alegacy of infrastructure that's clean, circular, and communitydriven. He hopes to leave a legacy where CERG becomes a reference point for how tech can serve both profit and planet. “If I've helped shift the narrative from extraction to regeneration, I'll consider that a win,” he concludes.

SASA MARINKOVIC

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

Business 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.

PEOPLE FOCUS and its growth under Saša's exclusive leadership

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

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

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 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 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.

2.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.

3.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.

Owner & CEO | PEOPLE FOCUS doo

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 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 toAustria, 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 inAustria (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 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 theAustrian 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) andAgrimir 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.

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 and making people he works with feel valued, included, and motivated in their work.

Plans for the future of PEOPLE FOCUS

The uture PEOPLE FOCUS fplan for is to become the No. 1 company in Serbia and the region in surrounding the IT recruitment area and in becoming a long-term partner for companies from German speaking countries likeAustria, 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.

Founder & CEO | Pure Health Dental Partners

AZIZA ABED

Make smile your signature accessory - Pure Health Dental Partners!

In the fast-pacing business environment which is swarming with competitors readily attempting to intensify the economies of scale, there is yet no shortage of remarkable ideas, what's missing is the will of executing them before anyone else lays their foundation stone. Such is a momentous journey ofAzizaAbed who is the founder and CEO of Pure Health Dental Partners who believes that there is as many fashion definitions of success as much as different colors of light visibly scattered when white light is passed through the prism. She claims that

any individual in this universe can achieve the taste of success with anything you desire. These dedicated individuals are often those who have blinded the literal definition of quit from their life or might have abolished it so as to not be a boulder in front of deterring.Aziza believes that the key to success is investing time, energy, dedication, passion, and hard work into your pathway. Success is often achieved by those who believe that failure is inevitable even if they sit on the right track without getting run over. The fortune of being surrounded by solidly good people

that believed inAziza's vision and bought into a solid business plan laid the foundation of her commencement of success story. People that had complete faith in my abilities stood by. – she added.

The worth of a smile:

Every startup requires yellow pages of thick preparation, the building of the business model, forecasting of management plans, and building prototype to just realize, we were not as much good as we thought before commencing but we could be better if

we accept the feedback and re-invest to rolling out the better version.Aziza had been in the Dental Service Organization world for more than 20 years and this never-ending experience has had given her a backend vision to build her own start-up. However, whatever expertise you hold, even the subject matter expert encounters several pins on the road less taken butAziza believes that challenges are healthy in multitudes of respects as she was always surrounded by like-minded leaders who have had enlightened her to pursue several methodologies.Aziza has always found her source of valuable lessons through trial and

error. Upon reminiscing, she claims that once in the past, she had invested in a practice whose research was backdated and she eventually lost a pile of bucks on it. This gave her a lesson to check and recheck the current data anywhere before investing yourself or your hardearned money.

The priceless innovation with regulation:

Every business success requires business preparation on a large scale. You don't have to be a master tactician per se, but you do need to have a plan in place and sometimes

back-ups too. This plan will act as a foundation for everything you want to achieve even if you tend to fail on the pathway and feel like giving up. Pure Health Dental offers patients an array of services at reasonable prices.As stated byAziza, our dentists have a scope of cosmetic, restorative, oral surgery, endodontics, dentures, partials, and crowns. We have a traveling specialty team that performs Implants, periodontal services, and oral surgery services. Our hygienists are all educated on theADAandAAP Non-Surgical Periodontal Guidelines. They also are skilled with in-office whitening procedures and preventative therapies. This reflects

the dedication of resolution to be someone who was going to amount to something without turning back. The array of practices and services, no hours, nor the number of laborers, nor the monetary consideration could deterAziza from delivering the best she could and yet turning back on it.

Make every detail perfect to the extent of crystal clear water and limit the number of details to perfect just like the foggy pollution in the air. Pure Health Dental Partners takes pride in the standard operating procedures that are installed in place to ensure every office member follows the Dental Board, CDC, OSHA, HIPAA, and all other regulatory compliance factors. My vision is to continue growing Pure Health Dental to be the leading community dental group in Ohio. –Aziza added.

The Facevalue of vision:

If you have contemplated the vision of your goal, you must have to revisit it in your mind first before you actually stand on the commencing line.As mentioned byAziza, her vision with her institution is to continue to grow in Pure Health Dental and flag it to be one of the leading community dental groups in Ohio. Prior to commencing her own venture, she has had gained the expertise as a subject matter expert in two other institutions falling in a similar niche. She had served in DentalOne partners for more than fourteen years as a Regional Clinical Advisor and Senior Leader of Operations. Later on, she was

recruited by North American Dental Group and had served for more than three years as a Clinical Director of Operations and Senior Director of Operations wherein her assistance and contributions invited growth from 36 locations to over 100 locations in a flow. In a couple of organizations, her area of implementation was in the nature of clinical and operational foundation that allowed for streamlined processes and scalability.

Oral health = Overall health!

Any form of vision is the art of seeing intangible dreams transforming into an empire whose impact is felt for generations to come and beyond. Upon inquiring about the future goals, Aziza responded that she is looking forward to incorporating digital scanners in every location of her institute and beyond and also create a central in-house lab that will allow for faster delivery of custom lab work for our patients. She is also looking forward to acquiring 3-5 more locations in the near future.Anything beyond this year would be to potentially entertain a merger with a similar group practice to help leverage buying power and team collaboration. Upon reflecting her

views as a businesswoman, she exclaims that, personally, as a businesswoman, I would like to continue doing education seminars, group training, community service events, educating myself on areas of the business that need further development such as recruiting and marketing and leverage the growth opportunities wherever applicable and possible. In her last pearl of wisdom, she quotes - “Find your passion, make it work for you by listening and learning from others who have

BOAZ LEVI

Shaping Aerospace Through Purpose and Service

Afew leaders have burdens that go far beyond their work stations, shaping the security of nations, the trajectory of technology, and the aspirations of generations to come. Boaz Levi is such a leader. His career is a demonstration of a lifelong interest in flight, space, and defense systems, with an ironclad dedication to the security of Israel and a vision for the global aerospace industry.As President and CEO of IsraelAerospace Industries (IAI), Boaz has established a legacy not just of technology breakthrough but of service, teamwork, and empowerment.

Dreaming of Space, Building a Career in Defense

Boaz's interest in flight started when he was young. "Since I can remember, I used to dream about working with bodies in motion through space; it always seemed to me like an interesting and intriguing occupation," he remembers. Serving in the IsraeliAir Force provided him with his initial knowledge of missile technology,

a field that became his vocation.

Majoring in aeronautical engineering, he was one of the first to graduate with dual experience in both aeronautics and space. "Anyone that comes up in missile engineering learns to deal with a whole lot of data and check themselves meticulously before each move. God is in the details, and a missile engineer does not get a second shot at correcting them," he says.

Redefining Success as a Leader

Success for Boaz is never just about financial outcomes. Rather, it occurs on three levels: the protection of Israel, global partnerships, and the welfare of individuals in his organization.

"Success is to meet our national task, provide the technological means that guarantee Israel's security and strategic superiority," he explains. Meanwhile, international acclaim is a testament to IAI as a leader among pioneering partners in aerospace and defense.Above all, Boaz derives

President & CEO | IAI - Israel Aerospace Industries

meaning from individuals.Acompany whose staff feel motivated, enabled, and fulfilled is, to him, the greatest measure of success.

Planning for the Future of Modern Warfare

For Boaz, defense leadership is about the future. "Planning one or two moves ahead is certainly not good enough," he declares. The company is always looking over the horizon beyond current problems, planning for wars that have yet to be fought, and fitting into changing geopolitical environments.

This long-term vision also informs its international partnerships. "Every

customer, whether in Israel or overseas, who purchases our systems is aware that we are with them not only at the moment of purchase but when they are struggling and need us, whether in wartime or not," Boaz says. This loyalty and presence ethos consolidates trust beyond borders.

The Night theArrow 3 Proved Itself

Few moments define a leader's career as powerfully as theApril 2024 Iranian missile attack. For the first time, theArrow 3 system, developed under Boaz's guidance, faced a reallife threat.

"30 years of development and excellence culminated in one

dramatic night," he remembers. Over one hundred ballistic missiles were fired, some at civilian targets. "We knew we had less time than we had rehearsed, and that an actual war game was underway." The successful repelling demonstrated both the robustness of the system and the commitment of the individuals behind it. For Boaz, it was a success created by discipline, foresight, and national responsibility.

Grounded by Family and Purpose

High-stakes leadership has the tendency to be all-consuming, but Boaz is kept grounded by purpose. "At IAI, everything we do ties back to Israel's security and to defining the

future of aerospace, and this burden reminds me of the larger mission beyond day-to-day pressure constantly," he states.

Strength is also provided by family. Boaz thanks his wife for her patience and understanding during his demanding life. "I desire to express my most sincere appreciation to my wife, who bears with great patience to live with my absence during such a large portion of the time," he reflects.

Collaboration as a BridgeAcross Borders

In the globalized world of today, collaboration for Boaz is a must. "For us, collaboration is not merely a business approach; it is a means to expand trust and value beyond borders," he explains. IAI invests in co-development initiatives, joint ventures, and technology transfers that honor national priorities and world trust. For Boaz, partnerships are credibility, innovation, and common progress.

Decision-Making in a World of Complexity

Balancing national security, technological leadership, and international competitiveness is at the core of Boaz's role. National priorities always come first, but innovation is essential to maintaining an edge. “We invest heavily in fostering partnerships with universities and startups, and encourage creative thinking within our teams,” he explains. The final step is ensuring these innovations are competitive globally, through world-class quality, reliability, and collaboration.

Cultivating Tomorrow's Leaders

Boaz thinks that leadership is all about equipping others to succeed. He seeks out potential leaders with a combination of excellence, integrity, curiosity, and vision. "Technical excellence and solid performance are critical, but only the beginning," he comments. Integrity, accountability, and innovation are just as important, combined with empathy and resilience.

He also highlights legacy not just in technology but in human beings. "My legacy should be measured not just by the technologies that we build but by the people who push them forward," he says. Motivating the next generation to dream big, innovate constantly, and lead with purpose is his greatest aspiration.

ALegacy of Vision and Service

To those aspiring to be leaders in aerospace and defense, Boaz Levi provides both encouragement and advice. "This business is not just about cutting-edge technologies, it's about protecting countries, enabling global security, and defining the future of human ingenuity," he explains. His advice is to remain curious, learn forever, and expand knowledge beyond technicalities to encompass strategy, operations, and leadership.Above all, he reminds them that leadership is not about knowledge but about people and the power to build trust.

Boaz Levi's journey, from a young dreamer fascinated by space to a leader shaping the global defense industry, reflects vision, resilience, and purpose. His leadership demonstrates the balance between national duty, global innovation, and the empowerment of people. Whether recalling theArrow 3's first combat use, building collaborations across borders, or nurturing future leaders, Boaz's story is one of service and impact. His legacy will not just be known by the sophisticated systems that guard states but also by the generations of leaders he has encouraged to pursue the mission with courage and lucidity.

A Leadership Expert who helps Good Mangers to becoming Great Leaders GORDON TREDGOLD

This goes beyond the ageold debate over whether or not leaders are born or made.As per , Gordon Tredgold leaders are made, not born. Gordon is the & CEOManaging ConsultantLeadership at Principles Ltd. and has a passion for building successful teams, coaching and developing people, creating strategies to turn around under-performing teams and failing projects, and delivering complex change programs.

AtLeadership Principles Ltd, Gordonfocuses on helping develop people's leadership skills, helping them go from being good managers to become great leaders. He has the practical experience of how to do this, having delivered $150 million programs, run $300 million departments, led 1000-person teams, and developed 100s of leaders. To do that, he offers

training and coaching, and also consulting services to help leaders and companies with specific initiatives, setting strategies, or overcoming challenges.

Where it started?

Before Leadership Principles, Gordon was a turnaround specialist working in IT, leading complex projects and programs, and it was during this time that he developed the skills and understanding of what makes great leadership that he now shares.

Gordonlikes to be successful and worked for too many bosses who were just role occupants who relied more on hope than leadership skills. That led to a lot of failures and poor performance, and that made him decide to set up shop, challenge the status quo, and try to turn things around. He did get a bit of push

back, but in reality, many of them wanted to be in charge, but not accountable for the results, so they would often let him take the lead, knowing they had a scape goat if things failed. Fortunately, Gordon is great at problem solving, and team building (that came from sports) and he was able to actually improve the results and ultimately, he was offered their position.

He says, "Remember leadership is about action, not the role you occupy."

Big Challenge is also a Big Opportunity

One of Gordon's challenges was that he was usually a little vocal, which didn't make him popular, and leadership is sometimes a popularity battle. He says, "So to get ahead, for me, it was all about delivering results, taking on the

tougher projects, the bigger challenges, and this was where I developed the reputation that made people take an interest in me."

Gordon loved big challenges because they provided him more leeway in how he did things and the methods he took, which allowed him to hone his talents and advance his abilities.Also, when he was given greater and better chances, he was compelled to further develop his leadership abilities, because he couldn't handle everything himself when the task was so large. He asserts, "At some point you need to make that transition from leading from the front to leading from behind; setting the budget for the department or organization, but also identifying and developing

leaders who can assist you in delivering and extending and increasing your impact. It is tough though, because you need to give up control, share the glory and that can be tough, especially if you're a winner or like to win. But this is what separates the great from the good, and why I say that leadership success is not just about what you do, but about what you leave behind and how well your teams perform in your absence. "

Being a Leader

As per Gordon, the one word that defines him it would be 'FAST'. Gordon's day is all about setting the tone for Leadership Principles by living the values. He works on developing leadership concepts, or

simpler ways of sharing those concepts through articles and videos to help promote good leadership. Then the rest of the day is spent on training, coaching with clients or marketing.

The team has just created, and had certified by the Institute of Leadership and Management, its Breakthrough Leadership Training course, and Gordon will be looking to promote and give that around the world and at various companies.

Success that Make others

Successful

In Gordon's opinion, success for a leader is that when he/she leaves their team in much better shape than when they took it over. He

says, "You have to develop a culture of continuous improvement, where the team shows initiative, strives to drive performance, and that they have the belief that they can do it. To do this, you have to focus on developing the team, giving them the skills, tools, and confidence to be successful; such that their success continues in your absence. "

He feels that if his team needs him to be successful, then he is a limitation and not a leader.

Gordon's goal is to make himself redundant and put the teams in a position where they know how to be successful on their own. He firmly believes "Everyone wants to come to work to be successful, and that if you show them how to be successful then they will take the opportunity to be successful and do that repeatedly."

Making Leadership Easy

Gordon thinks good leadership has always been there, he has just made it easier for people to understand and helped identify the actions/approaches that people can take that will help them on that journey. He opines, "It helps you understand what drives you, and I think for me it was just being involved in teams that were under performing and deciding that I didn't want to be part of that, that I thought we could do better, and that I could do better. I don't always succeed, but I do always make things better. " He has helped them see a simpler approach, one that they believe in, and when people

believe it, it inspires them to take action.

Deeply Ingrained Core Values

Leadership Principles Ltd.'s core principles are FAST: Focus; Accountability; Simplicity; and Transparency. These are deeply rooted in everything the company does and that keeps the team hungry and striving to improve. Gordon says that the team understands the benefits of great leadership, so that is motivation enough to keep it not only doing what it does, but to make great leadership simpler and more accessible to people.

As per Gordon, culture is development. It is a simple three step process. Say it, live it, reinforce it. He says, "So tell people what the culture is you are striving for so they understand what's being asked of them. Then be the role model for that culture, show them

what it looks like, and finally reward and recognise the people who live up to it, and this will reinforce the desired actions within the organization." Gordon's vision is for the company to become recognised as the premier leadership training consultancy.

Gordon emphasizes, "I'm proudest of the people we have helped to develop and who have gone on to be better leaders, because great leadership is a great enabler not just for the leader but the people they lead. Great leadership makes things better for everyone in their charge."

LOUISE HAMPTON

Patient-Centric is the key for sustainable health Institutions!

Almost every individual residing in the globe tends to liken their emotions to the mutant nature of weather. They view these circumstances as an uncontrollable factor. This analysis not only reflects to us that emotions are controllable but they also possess a strong power to take the reins of our daily emotions and steer ourselves toward building a foundation of better and nurtured physical health. The constant evolvement of encountering and formation of connections that an individual experience with any other similar human being then emerges as a tiny engine that drives the upward spiral between positivity and health. Louise Hampton who is the owner

and chiropractor ofAttend2Health is on a mission to empower the health industry on a larger scale. She is endeared to provide limitless assistance to every individual through her venture as her strong belief. She believes that everyone is different and not one form of treatment could be sustainable to any. Thus, she ensures to serve different variants of medical assistance under the same umbrella as it is easier to cross-refer and it also assists her to march a step closer towards her vision.

The expression of obeisance:

Being an entrepreneur is certainly not a job, it's a contemplating lifestyle

that builds the foundation of what you do. You need to sacrifice vacations, going home in the evening after the job is finished as in full-time employment and be that someone who is hitting the send buttons of emails before closing their eyelid at the end of the day and you are also the first one to read the e-mails as you wake up, provided you being awake hastily in the middle of the night. Upon seeking the boulders that have been as scary as this experience, Louise states thatAttend2Health has just expanded into a new premise, bewildering as it seems is as scary as it is lived. In the instance of pandemic wherein the country has been into a lockdown period for an indefinite

period of time, it is certainly a pointer to worry about the overhead costs that are knocking the nightmares. However, with the vision of being patient-centric, Louise is embracing the experience of wherewithal.At Attend2health, there are 4 chiropractors, 3 osteopaths, 4 massage therapists, 2 podiatrists, 3 physiotherapists at present and Louise is hoping to get an acupuncturist, hypnotherapist, and nutritionist starting soon.

Prevention is better than cure:

It is often chided to not keep away from individuals who attempt to belittle your emotions. Major small business owners do fall into the trap

of demotivating themselves but when they deter, they become a greater version of themselves. Louise states that the core values of her venture are foremost to look after her patients in the best manner possible. She believes that as long as you are investing to make your patients make feel better and comfortable, you tend not to think about your competitors in a stress zone. However, she is also in a state of pessimism that her venture is able to assist the local NHS by recognizing her facility and by addressing all the patient's aches and developing pains in a furious manner so as to prevent them by taking precautions before the evolvement of a chronic or larger variant of concerns.

The dynamics of expansion:

There is nothing that can stop the power of committed and determined individuals to make a difference in society because human beings are the most dynamic link to the divine on this planet. But these committed individuals are certainly inevitable to encounter boulders. So far, it has been a bumpy ride for Louise, she expresses the journey by revisiting her past moments when her children were young and she was very worried about the bills to pay in her personal as well as professional life. On the contrary, over the years of her dedication and commitment, her health care institution has had grown and have had attained a reputable

stand. This then allowed her to expand her mission and vision altogether wherein she invested in a much larger expanded premise but again, this came as a boulder for overhead expenses along with the unwelcomed pandemic in the country. Reminiscing about her future roadmaps post the pandemic, Louise is looking forward to being able to come out of lockdown and make proper utilization of her fresh investment in terms of expansion and add variants of fitness classes such as yoga, pilates, tai chi, etc.

The worth of every day:

How to sail and reach soundly towards the island without dying is more important than reaching the island at all. Louise has had graduated from her university in 2004 after pursuing her academic pursuit in Chiropractor and associated herself in a partnership firm in Birmingham before moving back to Hertfordshire and setting upAttend2Health in 2007. In 2019, she has bagged the Best Business WomanAward in Health and Wellness and also the Zenith Global HealthAward.Attaching further to her accolades, she has also written a book on how to help eliminate low back pain. Louise spends 4 days a week at her clinic and invests her rest of the productive time frame on promoting the clinic activities, taking steps towards maintaining her health and safety measures and having an eye on the accounting books. It is often said that if you want to become a successful leader, then you will have to cut the pie yourselves. 40% of the time should be focused on the arena of time management revolving around ethics, character, principles, purpose, motivation, and conduct.

Other than that, you need to invest the other 30% of the pie in managing the segments of authority that are lingering over you, the other 15% shall always be dived in to manage your peers who are working endlessly with you to step towards your mission and vision without minimalistic error for failure. In her last pearl of wisdom, Louise chalks out her

blueprint to us by sharing her future vision that over the years, she is planning to expand the offerings on offer and adding 6 treatment rooms where she is marching ahead more towards being a patient-centric institution.

Chief Executive Officer | Fiduciary Trust International

JOHN DOWD S

A Proven Wealth Management Executive with Broad Experience

uccess for me is when we have created a working environment where the team feels like the strategic plan is all theirs, that they have license to stretch themselves, and we are having fun. It is also about executing a strategy smartly understanding where the linkages are ahead of time and avoiding duplication,” says John Dowd

John is the Chief Executive Officer, a member of the Board of Directors, and chairs the Management and Operating Committees at Fiduciary Trust International. He has more than 30 years of experience in wealth management and is a frequent speaker on wealth management topics. Prior to joining Fiduciary Trust in 2016, he served as executive vice president and senior managing director for Wells Fargo Wealth Management, where he oversaw the Northeast region. John's previous positions also included serving as head of wealth management for The

Bank of New York. He received his B.A. from Guilford College and his M.B.A. from Columbia University. John serves on the advisory board of the UHNW Institute, and on the boards of the Metropolitan Opera Guild, the MontclairArt Museum, and North Capital Investment Technology, Inc.

John credits his success with beginning his career in an entry-level position, and working his way up, taking on as many “dirty jobs” as possible. This gave him a ground-eye view of where improvements could be made by leveraging technology, changing workflow, etc. Since he had a real hands-on perspective, it also gave him the confidence that he could lead the business to a better place. So, over time, John confidently asked for more and more responsibility.

John thinks he and his team have done a good job of marrying the solid and tried and true elements of a 90year-old trust company—stability, integrity, dedication, focus—with

some of the more modern elements today's wealth management clients expect—speed, digital delivery, sustainable investing, access to alternatives and co-investments. Along the way, he believes the company's core values have remained unchanged—client-centric, objective, and independent, no short cuts — and there isa deep appreciation for the technical and specialized skills its people bring to the table. John asserts, “Together that creates our unique culture that keeps clients and our advisors here on average for 20 years.”

Fiduciary Trust International

Fiduciary Trust International was founded in New York in 1931 as a specialized trust company. Its aim was to eliminate the conflicts inherent in other wealth management models that were prevalent at the time (and still exist today). The company provides investment management, trust and estate, tax, and planning services to high-net-worth (HNW)

clients around the world. John asserts, “Our specialists work in dedicated teams from offices across the US.” The company has over $90 billion in client assets under its care and has been part of the Franklin Templeton family of companies since 2001.

Project Snow Lion

For John, his proudest moment was seeing the entire firm engaged in the firm's strategic reboot, Project Snow Lion. He recalls, “This was a grassroots project designed to improve the client experience, the advisor experience, and our competitive positioning. There have been other satisfying industry

recognitions —A Barron's article on doubling the size of Fiduciary within 5 years (we did it in 4), the Family Wealth Report Awards for Excellence in Family Wealth Counseling and Independent Fiduciary/Trust Services but Project Snow Lion was great to see from ideation to execution to now reaping the benefits.”

“Winston Churchill: ‘This is not the end, it's not even the beginning of the end, but perhaps it's the end of the beginning.’ This is a great quote to let folks know the task at hand will take a while to execute but there is an end in sight.”

Work-Life Balance

John organizes his time daily around four key activities:

Ÿ Thought Leadership — Staying up-to-date on markets, the industry, technology, and trends

Ÿ Operating the Business — Managing the P&L, product performance, and product development

Ÿ The Client Experience — Meeting with clients and helping with new business, and client retention

Ÿ TheAdvisor Experience — Meeting with our teams and communicating strategy, and direction

“Some days one of the areas gets a little more attention than others, but I try to keep the discipline,” says John.

As per John, maintaining the balance is hard and has gotten harder with COVID. The team tries to have meeting moratoriums, such as around the holidays, to avoid creepage. It does try and mix its business with social activities. The company hosts

employee engagement events regularly. John tries to be himself and be accessible. He says, “What helps, though, is that I love what I do, the people I work with, and the stories around each of our clients. Like Buffett says, it's important to pick a job where you can skip to work every morning, which I feel I do. That makes for an interesting visual as I am very tall at 6'7"

Keeping Up With The Changes

“Innovation is prized in the company,” says John. He stays up at night thinking about new trends, client needs, and demand. He adds that a good example is the work Fiduciary is doing with digital assets.

As per John, with the advance of blockchain technology, forwardthinking asset managers like its parent, Franklin Templeton, are looking for illiquid assets they can tokenize, and trade globally 24/7. HNW clients, in turn, will be investing in these assets because of their potentially higher return profile. “It's why Fiduciary is working towards offering digital custody

services, and this is the driving force behind our recent investment in North Capital.”

John also stays abreast of the changes happening in the industry by staying close to the “disrupters.” Fiduciary invests in fintech start-ups, and John has served on two of their boards.

John would like to make Fiduciary Trust International the unequivocal gold standard, globally, for wealth management. He says, “We have such great people, products, and culture that it is very achievable.”

For aspiring business minds, John would just say how lucky they are to be alive in this time of such dramatic technological innovation. He states, “It will be fascinating to see the solutions that technology will bring to our clients in the future.”

ELENA HERWEYER

Creatively Designing the Marketing Industry

Aleader is someone who never stops learning throughout their professional journey. Elena Herweyer is one such inspiring leader who exemplifies this by taking every challenge as a learning opportunity and making the best out of it. With extensive industry experience and great knowledge Elena foundedArt Fresh Inc., a leading end to end marketing agency in Canada. In this article, Elena shares with us her journey and inspiring thoughts about success and passion.

Every leader has a unique definition of success. Tell us about your thoughts about success and why do you feel that?

Success has many definitions. You can have success as a woman or man, professional, scientist or influencer. If we talk here about professional success, you feel success when you achieve the goals you set for a certain period.

Success is a synonym of “happiness” as it gives you inspiration, much energy and motivation to innovate and improve further your skills. This is the time when you feel that the impossible is possible as you clearly see where you have been before and where you are now.

For me success is an indicator, feedback for what you have done as appreciation of your efforts and hard work. People award you with success by recognizing your best efforts in all aspects of your work which benefited them in many ways. Success acts as a compass that indicates that you are on the right track, but success is not a goal itself as you are already happy doing what you love. My business — helping entrepreneurs achieve their goals — is my passion and this brings me a lot of energy and inspiration every new day.

Starting an entrepreneurial journey is not an easy road to

take. What inspired you to take the step of faith? What laid the foundation ofArtFresh?

I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit. I love constantly developing my abilities and professional skills. Challenges encourage me and give me much energy as they help me sharpen my business intellect and creative capabilities to become stronger in business management. It is so exciting when you create a new idea with your team and after that see how it works for your client and brings desired results.

To take more responsibilities and constantly learn new approaches to grow business — that is my favourite thing. Being a professional fine artist and graphic designer helped me understand that my passion is to be creative and this does not limit me with art, painting or design. Developing business requires generating a lot of creative ideas and innovations

every day.Also, I understood that I'm a team player as I love work with likeminded folks who are passionate about their profession and set high standards in their work.

All this led me to become an entrepreneur and to start my own business soon after I came to Canada from Ukraine in 2009. I strongly believed that I had a lot to give to my new home country having over 12 years of professional experience working in the leading advertising agencies in Kyiv. I foundedArt Fresh Creative Studio based on my passion, professional knowledge and skills without business partners or investors, only with a strong support of my husband who believed in me and in my idea and has encouraged me. Now, 10 years later I can say — this was the right decision as I am privileged to have the freedom to do what I love every day.

Challenges make you stronger. What is your take on this? What were the roadblocks that taught you valuable lessons in your professional journey?

I strongly believe that everything you encounter in your life journey is the best that could happen to you as it teaches you, develops your intellect, makes you stronger and helps you in business development. When you solve a tough task, you feel stronger and gain confidence that you are not limited by anything to achieve much bigger goals. You can't learn important things without solving more complicated tasks in an entrepreneurial manner that business brings to you. I can say that for me every new challenge is a great motivation to find the best solution. I know lessons learned will help me grow as a leader and become more efficient in my business.

Tell us in brief about the products and services ofArtFresh.

Art Fresh is a multi-award winning full-service marketing agency that was recognized among the best service providers in the advertising and marketing industry in Canada. We build brands and manage them, we are focusing on marketing strategy, brand identity design, marketing communication and web design of any complexity. Our mission is to help businesses deliver to the consumer the core idea, benefits and passion which are implemented in the product or service by the creator using the power of creativity and a fresh approach. This is not an easy task, but in each project that we work with, we dare to innovate. Using our knowledge combined with creative ideas we strive to develop an effective solution that will work effectively for the business objectives with respect to return on investment. We provide businesses with comprehensive solutions for business growth that will help them generate revenue and help more people improve their lives by using the offered products or services.

How do you ensure a culture of integrity and innovation in the company?

My team and I never stop learning. Having high standards in work, we all are passionate about our professions. We love what we do and are motivated to grow our own skills to achieve new professional heights. When given a new project from a client we always try to look at a new angle on the creative task to offer a new approach that will help achieve the business objectives faster and in a cost-effective manner.

What has been the best recognition that you received as a businesswoman?

I personally don't see myself as a businesswoman. I know very well that I love my business and I'm passionate about helping other entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality using my expertise. Saying this, I feel that happy feedback from our clients and professional recognition of our team's work by independent international experts inspires us to raise higher the bar of our capabilities and set new big goals.

Tell us about your life before the foundation ofArtFresh.

I'm a professional artist with a Master's Degree in FineArts and Graphic Design. My paintings are held in private art collections in Ukraine, Canada, Poland, and Germany. Since 1999, I have been a member of the NationalArtists' Union of Ukraine. Before coming to Canada, I worked in the leading advertising agencies in Kyiv, providing top-quality branding and graphic design to international companies such as Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Inc.©, L'Oreal, Vichy, Samsung, Microsoft, Procter & Gamble, Mercedes-Benz, TNK-bp, Caparol, Novo Nordisk and Cheese Club Corporation, as well as small and medium-sized businesses, for more than 12 years. My graphic design and advertising works have earned several awards at theAnnual International Festival ofAdvertising in Europe and the USA. One of the more recent awards was Gold at the 2019 Summit CreativeAwards for 'Art Fresh SelfPromotion Campaign', Boston, USA.

The versatile experience that I gained during my work with international and local clients, along with a long-time focus on brand development services,

led me to foundArt Fresh Creative Studio in 2011 which has now become a full-service marketing agency.

What are your responsibilities as the CEO ofArtFresh? Walk us through your regular day at work.Also, define yourself in one word.

I'm a manager and creative force in our team. I not only manage the business process, communicate with clients and work on developing creative concepts, but I also have the important responsibility of guaranteeing highquality results that we deliver to our clients.

TheArt Fresh team is a group of bright individuals, talented people, real professionals who are passionate about what they do. Every member of theArt Fresh team is self-motivated and is very responsible about work duties and project timelines. This has switched my role from a manager more to a business partnership with experts. Such a business model helps us use the maximum of our potentials to provide top-level creative and marketing services within agreed deadlines.And this is proven by our 17 international awards that theArt Fresh team received during the past 10 years.

My main role is to inspire my team to get better results and grow together. I am fortunate and happy to work with like-minded people who do not feel limited in their work and enjoy being creative every day. I strongly believe that such an approach in running a business helps deliver the best results to clients and has a high potential for growing professionally much faster. Great ideas are born and innovation flourishes only where passionate people who want to be the best in what they do have personal freedom.

How do you maintain a balance in your personal and professional life?

It is a tough task to balance a personal and professional life when your business is your passion and a hobby When you love something you completely dedicate yourself to it and lose track of time. Fortunately, I have a wonderful family and a lot of other interests that I love, so this helps me manage my time more effectively.

What are your plans for the future ofArtFresh?Also tell us about your personal goals as a businesswoman. What is your message to aspiring businesswomen?

In the 21st century times change at high speeds and marketing, media, and design quickly assimilate new trends and technologies to transform businesses. In this unpredictable market environment, theArt Fresh team's goal is to further develop our professional skills to the level where we can address new and more complicated business challenges that our clients bring to us and help them successfully grow their businesses. For Art Fresh, our clients' success is our success.

I want to encourage women who are brave enough to follow their passion and value personal growth, who dare to make the world better by contributing their love, knowledge, efforts and time — to believe in themselves and not be afraid to fail as there are no fails, there are only valuable lessons that we are learning. Now in the Internet era, there are vast opportunities to learn from the best experts the knowledge needed to grow a business effectively. There are so many examples of amazing women who are open to share their own experience, who are happy and successfully realizing their personal potential in developing a business. If you feel you can't stop doing what you are passionate about, don't doubt, follow your passion and be open to learn anew every day. The reward of living the life of your dreams will be yours

KRANTZ MWANTEPELE

Pioneering Innovation and Leadership in Tanzania's Digital Sphere

In the ever-evolving landscape of digital media and marketing, few have demonstrated the kind of visionary leadership that Krantz Mwantepele has brought to the forefront.As the founder and CEO of KONCEPT GROUP, Krantz has not only redefined what it means to lead in the digital age but has also positioned his firm as a trailblazer in Africa's marketing and media sectors. His contributions have earned him a distinguished place amongAfrica's top business leaders, reflecting his unwavering commitment to creativity, sustainability, and innovation.

In this article, we delve into Krantz's journey, explore his approach to leadership and sustainability, and examine how KONCEPT GROUP continues to set benchmarks in the industry.

Founding KONCEPT:AVision Realized

Krantz Mwantepele's foray into the realm of digital media and marketing was propelled by a distinct vision and an unwavering passion for merging

creativity with commercial strategy. "The spark for KONCEPT ignited from a passion to bridge the gap between creativity and commerce in Africa,” he articulates, reflecting on the foundational motivations behind his enterprise. Established in July 2015, KONCEPT GROUP swiftly distinguished itself as a pioneering force in digital media and marketing consulting across theAfrican continent. This rapid ascent can be attributed to Krantz's steadfast commitment to fostering innovation and achieving excellence in every aspect of his business.

From its inception, KONCEPT GROUP has been more than just another agency in a crowded market. Under Krantz's leadership, it has become a beacon of digital transformation, earning a plethora of accolades that highlight its exceptional contributions to the industry.Among these accolades are the esteemed “Start-up of the Year 2016” award and the honor of being named one of the “TOP 50 Most Influential Young Tanzanians” in 2017. These recognitions serve as a

testament to the company's impact and the visionary approach that Krantz has instilled within KONCEPT GROUP.

Further cementing its reputation, KONCEPT GROUP has received acknowledgment from both global and regional institutions, including the prestigious Global Slush Impact award and the Tanzania Marketing ScienceAwards for the years 2022 and 2023. These honors not only celebrate the firm's achievements but also underscore the significant role KONCEPT GROUP plays in shaping the digital media landscape. Each award reflects the firm's dedication to pushing the boundaries of what is possible, driven by Krantz's innovative vision and relentless pursuit of excellence.

“The future of Africa is digital, and KONCEPT is committed to being at the forefront of this transformation.”

Innovative Campaigns: Shaping the Digital Landscape

The success of KONCEPT GROUP

CEO | KONCEPT GROUP

extends beyond the accolades it has accumulated; it is also deeply rooted in the firm's innovative campaigns and strategic projects that have significantly impacted the digital media and marketing landscape. One particularly notable initiative was the 'Digital Transformation Drive' undertaken for a prominent agricultural company. This project stands as a quintessential example of KONCEPT GROUP's adeptness at weaving together diverse digital strategies into a cohesive and transformative campaign.

The 'Digital Transformation Drive' was designed to overhaul the agricultural company's brand image and expand its market presence through a sophisticated blend of data analytics, influencer marketing, and digital storytelling. By leveraging advanced data analytics, KONCEPT GROUP was able to derive actionable insights that informed the campaign's strategy and execution. Influencer marketing played a crucial role in amplifying the campaign's reach and engagement, while digital storytelling helped craft compelling narratives that resonated with the target audience.

Krantz reflects on the campaign's success, noting, “This campaign not only increased their market share but also inspired a wave of digital adoption within the sector.” The initiative not only achieved its primary goal of boosting the company's market position but also set a new standard for digital engagement within the agricultural industry. The success of the campaign underscored KONCEPT GROUP's ability to harness the power of digital platforms to drive meaningful business outcomes.

This project exemplifies KONCEPT GROUP's strategic prowess in digital transformation, showcasing how wellexecuted campaigns can fundamentally alter a brand's trajectory. The integration of diverse digital strategies and the emphasis on creating compelling, data-driven content illustrate KONCEPT's commitment to pushing the boundaries of digital marketing. Through such innovative endeavors, KONCEPT GROUP continues to lead the charge in shaping the digital landscape, setting new benchmarks for success in the industry.

“Innovation is not just about technology; it's about finding new ways to connect with people and create value.”

Empowering the Future:AVision for Digital Transformation

Being recognized as one ofAfrica's 10 Most Empowering Business Leaders in 2024 is more than just a prestigious accolade for Krantz; it represents a profound commitment to advancing digital transformation. “I envision my role as a catalyst for digital transformation in Tanzania and beyond,” he exclaims with a passion that underscores his dedication to this

mission. This recognition is not merely a reflection of past achievements but a powerful motivator driving his vision for future impact.

Krantz's role extends beyond the realm of business achievements. It involves a profound responsibility to spearhead change through innovation, mentorship, and collaborative efforts. His vision is not confined to the success of KONCEPT GROUP alone but encompasses a broader ambition to influence and enhance the digital landscape across the continent. This recognition fuels his resolve to drive

positive change, creating pathways for others to follow in his footsteps.

KONCEPT GROUP's success is a testament to Krantz's belief in pushing the boundaries of digital media while remaining steadfast in the pursuit of sustainable economic growth and social impact. The firm's accomplishments are intricately linked to its dedication to fostering a culture of excellence and innovation. Krantz is committed to nurturing an environment that not only embraces cutting-edge digital strategies but also cultivates the talents and potential of the next generation of entrepreneurs.

By investing in innovation and fostering a collaborative culture, Krantz aims to empower young professionals and aspiring entrepreneurs. His approach is grounded in the belief that sustainable success is achieved not just through individual achievements but by elevating others and creating opportunities for growth. Through KONCEPT GROUP, he strives to build a legacy that will inspire and support the future leaders of the digital world, ensuring that the impact of his work extends far beyond the present moment.

Sustainability at the Core: Integrating Responsibility

Sustainability is a cornerstone of KONCEPT GROUP's business model. “Sustainability is at the core of KONCEPT's DNA,” Krantz emphasizes. The firm integrates sustainability through conscious decision-making, from choosing projects to employing energy-efficient technologies. KONCEPT GROUP prioritizes digital solutions that minimize environmental impact and actively engages in Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiatives, including digital literacy programs and partnerships with social enterprises.

This commitment to ethical business practices and diversity is reflected in the firm's workforce and client relationships. By aligning business goals with sustainable development, KONCEPT aims to build a thriving future for all stakeholders involved.

Navigating the Digital Landscape: StayingAhead of the Curve

In the fast-paced digital media and marketing industry, maintaining a

competitive edge demands relentless adaptation and innovation.

"Navigating the digital landscape is comparable to steering a ship through a dynamic ocean,” Krantz explains, drawing a vivid analogy that captures the complexities and fluidity of the industry. To thrive amidst this constant flux, KONCEPT GROUP has cultivated a culture that embraces continuous learning and bold experimentation.

KONCEPT GROUP's approach to staying ahead is rooted in a strategic investment in data analytics and consumer insights. By leveraging these tools, the firm is able to make informed decisions and tailor its campaigns to meet the evolving needs and preferences of its clients. The integration of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning further amplifies this capability, allowing KONCEPT to optimize campaign performance and achieve unparalleled results.

In addition to technological investments, KONCEPT GROUP places a strong emphasis on forging robust partnerships with technology innovators. These alliances provide the firm with early access to cuttingedge tools and opportunities, ensuring that it remains at the forefront of industry developments. The firm's success is also attributed to its versatile team, whose diverse skill sets and expertise enable KONCEPT to navigate and adapt to new trends effectively.

This blend of technological prowess and strategic partnerships ensures that KONCEPT GROUP not only keeps pace with industry changes but also leads them. By fostering an environment of continuous innovation and equipping its team with the tools

and knowledge needed to excel, KONCEPT GROUP demonstrates its commitment to staying ahead of the curve and setting new standards in digital media and marketing.

Leadership and Creativity: Cultivating an Innovative Culture

Effective leadership is crucial for fostering a culture of creativity and innovation within an organization. “Leadership and management are the bedrock of a thriving culture of creativity and innovation at KONCEPT,” asserts Krantz. This foundational belief underscores how robust leadership and strategic management intertwine to create an environment where creative ideas can not only emerge but also thrive. By combining strong leadership with effective management practices, KONCEPT GROUP has established a dynamic setting that encourages innovative thinking and drives sustainable growth.

Krantz's leadership style is centered around inspiring and supporting his team to explore and develop new ideas. He emphasizes the importance of creating a nurturing environment where creativity can flourish. This supportive atmosphere fosters collaboration and encourages team members to think outside the box, resulting in fresh perspectives and innovative solutions. By prioritizing inspiration and encouragement, Krantz ensures that creativity is not just a concept but a practical and actionable force within the firm.

The effectiveness of this approach is evident in KONCEPT GROUP's sustained success and leadership in the digital media and marketing sector. The firm's ability to adapt to a rapidly evolving digital landscape is a

direct result of its commitment to nurturing creativity. The emphasis on innovative thinking allows KONCEPT GROUP to stay ahead of industry trends and deliver exceptional results, reinforcing its position as a leader in the field. Through a culture that values creativity and supports its development, KONCEPT GROUP continues to set new standards in the digital media landscape.

Mentorship and Youth Empowerment: Shaping Future Leaders

Mentorship plays a crucial role in Krantz's leadership philosophy. Drawing from his own experiences, he firmly believes in guiding and empowering the next generation of leaders. “I am a product of various mentorship programs both in and outside Tanzania,” he reflects. Inspired by the famous Isaac Newton quote, “If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants,” Krantz emphasizes the importance of sharing knowledge and insights to accelerate the growth of young entrepreneurs and professionals.

KONCEPT GROUP's initiatives include mentorship programs, entrepreneurship boot camps, and digital literacy initiatives aimed at empowering youth and fostering entrepreneurship. These efforts are designed to provide aspiring leaders with the tools and support they need to make a meaningful impact in their respective fields.

Challenges and Opportunities in Africa's Digital Landscape

The digital marketing and media industry inAfrica is characterized by

a complex interplay of challenges and opportunities that reflect the continent's dynamic growth and diverse landscape. On one hand, Africa's burgeoning youth population, expanding internet connectivity, and rising middle class provide a fertile ground for digital innovation and entrepreneurship. These factors create significant potential for businesses to harness digital tools and strategies to reach and engage a rapidly growing audience. However, this promising landscape is not without its hurdles. Infrastructure limitations, gaps in digital literacy, and shifting consumer behaviors present significant challenges that businesses must navigate to succeed in this evolving market.

KONCEPT GROUP is strategically positioned to address these complexities and capitalize on the opportunities within theAfrican digital landscape. “Our deep understanding of theAfrican market, coupled with our expertise in digital strategy and execution, enables us to identify and capitalize on emerging opportunities,” Krantz explains. The firm's approach involves tailoring solutions that address local needs and bridge the digital divide, ensuring that businesses can effectively engage with their target audiences. By leveraging its insights and expertise, KONCEPT GROUP helps local businesses navigate the digital realm and achieve impactful results.

This ability to bridge gaps and overcome challenges is central to KONCEPT GROUP's mission. The firm's strategic focus on understanding and adapting to the unique needs of theAfrican market allows it to deliver solutions that drive meaningful change and foster growth. The firm's tailored solutions bridge the digital divide, empower local businesses, and drive impactful results.

Pride inAchievements: KONCEPT TV and UbaoniAD

Reflecting on KONCEPT GROUP's notable accomplishments, Krantz Mwantepele expresses particular pride in the success of KONCEPT TV, which has emerged as Tanzania's

leading online platform for breaking news and current affairs. With a substantial following of over 221,000 subscribers and an impressive 92 million total views, KONCEPT TV exemplifies the firm's prowess in digital media and its ability to engage a broad audience effectively.

“The success of KONCEPT TV underscores our ability to create a trusted and influential digital media outlet in a highly competitive market,” Krantz asserts, highlighting the platform's role in solidifying KONCEPT GROUP's reputation as a leader in digital media.

Adding to KONCEPT GROUP's portfolio of achievements is Ubaoni AD, a premier digital advertising

network that enhances the firm's impact in the advertising sector. UbaoniAD offers a comprehensive range of services, including display, mobile, video, and high-impact ad units. Its extensive partnerships with top local websites and exclusive media networks ensure that advertisers receive significant value and extensive reach. Complementing this, the platform's robust monitoring capabilities through KONCEPT METRICS provide detailed insights into campaign performance, enabling precise measurement of impressions and clicks.

This combination of high-impact advertising solutions and advanced tracking underscores KONCEPT GROUP's commitment to innovation

and excellence, reinforcing its leading position in Tanzania's digital media and advertising landscapes.

“Success is not just about achieving your goals but about inspiring others to achieve theirs.”

Advice forAspiring Entrepreneurs: Keys to Success

For aspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders aiming to make their mark in the digital media and marketing industry, Krantz offers a wealth of practical advice rooted in his own experiences. “Develop a deep understanding of your audience, embrace innovation and adaptability, build strong relationships, prioritize data-driven decision-making, and

invest in your team,” he advises. Understanding your audience is fundamental; it allows you to tailor your strategies and messages to meet their needs and preferences effectively. Embracing innovation and adaptability ensures that you remain competitive in a rapidly changing industry, while building strong relationships fosters trust and collaboration that can drive your business forward.

Moreover, Krantz emphasizes the importance of authenticity and community contribution. “Building genuine connections with audiences and supporting local initiatives can significantly impact success,” he notes.Authenticity helps in creating relatable and engaging content, which resonates more deeply with your audience.Additionally, contributing to community initiatives not only enhances your brand's reputation but also aligns your business with broader social values. By integrating these principles into your approach, you can establish a meaningful and impactful presence in the digital media and marketing landscape.

Future Goals andAspirations:

Shaping KONCEPT's Path Forward

Looking to the future, Krantz Mwantepele is set on elevating KONCEPT GROUP to the forefront of Tanzania's marketing and communications landscape. His vision involves positioning the firm as the country's premier full-service agency, known for its comprehensive range of services and exceptional client outcomes. To achieve this, KONCEPT GROUP plans to expand its service offerings, delve deeper into specialized industry sectors such as tourism, finance, and healthcare, and enhance its talent acquisition and

development strategies. By focusing on these key areas, the firm aims to not only solidify its leadership position but also drive innovation within the industry.

Krantz's strategic goals also include strengthening client relationships to foster long-term partnerships and ensure sustained success. “We will continue to deliver exceptional results and drive sustainable growth for our clients,” he affirms. This commitment to excellence and growth underscores KONCEPT GROUP's dedication to advancing its impact in Tanzania's marketing and communications sector. Through these targeted initiatives, KONCEPT GROUP is poised to make significant contributions to the industry, shaping its future while delivering value and

success to its clients.

Conclusion

Krantz Mwantepele's journey from founding KONCEPT GROUP to becoming one ofAfrica's most empowering business leaders is a testament to his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to innovation. Through strategic digital initiatives, a focus on sustainability, and a dedication to mentorship and youth empowerment, Krantz has set a high standard in the digital media and marketing industry.As KONCEPT GROUP continues to thrive and evolve, its impact on Tanzania and the broaderAfrican market will undoubtedly leave a lasting legacy.

JOSEPH CHAN

Embracing Change and Digital Innovation

AsiaPay Group is one of the leading payment service company inAsia. Joseph Chan, the Founder and CEO of AsiaPay started the company with a vision to provide cost-effective solutions to businesses creating room for innovation and digital tranformation. His unique services and out of the box thinking gained him the interest of several clients and AsiaPay started growing rapidly. The company has seen a phenomenal growth over the years making it the topmost trusted choice for payment solutions. With a vast experience in banking and finance, Joseph has levelled up digitization. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to explore his thoughts in the following interview as Joseph Chan shares his success story with us.

What were your dreams and aspirations while growing up? What led to the foundation of AsiaPay Group?

In 2000, I started a third-party quality electronic payment, mobile payment solutions and technology firm in Hong Kong. I spearheaded the company that offers business strategies and product development along with my management team. My business target then was to become one of the most successful worldclass digital payment service companies inAsia.

Now, I manage leading payment gateway that is trusted by businesses acrossAsia. Our decades of success

built on payments experience and now operates in 15 offices across the Asia Pacific region.

Our mission : To help our business partners grow their business through online by providing innovative, secure and cost-effective solutions that will make them competitive in the eCommerce landscape.

What were the initial challenges and setbacks that you faced?

One of the major challenges I have faced is gaining trust from international banks and partners in new markets for business collaboration.

Tell us in brief about the services of AsiaPay

AsiaPay is a leading payment solutions inAsia that puts its business partners and its customers' security and convenience at the forefront. The company's cutting edge in the FinTech industry has provided topnotch alternative payment methods to consumers. Having a wide array of electronic payments to choose from, contributes to accessible cashless transactions of any card user.

With over 20 years of payments expertise,AsiaPay brings advanced and secure payment solutions with an optimized conversion that ease merchants' concerns when acquiring financial transactions.AsiaPay

provides multi-payment methods ranging from one-stop comprehensive credit and debit cards, eBanking, QR payments, and Smart -POS. It also comes with a multi-currency payment feature that accepts payments from cross border countries.AsiaPay also runs a multi-channel platform which allows convenient payment transactions from any web-connected devices.AsiaPay enables merchants to securely accept most popular digital payment methods from credit cards, internet banking and more on a single platform.

What is the importance and scope of payment solutions?

Simply ,Convenient, Secure,Trust To Boost Easy, Secure Transactions for ecommerce

For merchants, there is an over-riding priority to make the payment process as friction-free as possible to minimize the risk of cart abandonment.”

ForAsiaPay , offering a wide variety of payment options allowing customers to use the payment mechanism of their choice.And also provide value -added services that go beyond payment acceptance.

How do you define the growth of the company over the past few years? (Can be explained with statistical data too)

Regional : operates in 15 offices across theAsia Pacific region so far, and we will further expand our more operation team and branch in Thailand. Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam on 2020.

Staff : over 160 professional workforce

Reputation: over 100 biz and techlogy awards , socially responsible company

company managed more than 40 million transactions on 2019

Product line / brand : is AsiaPay one of the leading Payment Service

Providers (PSPs) that offers services with its local payment platforms including , , and PayDollarSiamPay PesoPay.

What is your vision for the company?

To be the leading ELECTRONIC PAYMENT SERVICEAND TECHNOLOGY player inAsia and beyond

Give us a brief of your life before AsiaPay

Prior to foundingAsiaPay, I took various management positions at Barings, Citibank N.A., Bank of

America and Dah Sing Bank. Through successive positions in banking and finance industries, I consolidated my expertise and experience in strategic planning, product and project management, as well as implementation of various cutting-edge financial, electronic banking, Internet and mobile product services and systems inAsia to well serve the needs of the customers.

Tell us about your roles and responsibilities as the CEO of AsiaPay and how does it make you feel?

Innovation Champions: •need to have high levels of

•autonomy to keep moving their projects forward.

•They play a critical role in championing an innovation project as they need to have the capability to envision the creative possibilities underlying their project,

•as well as the practical steps transform these into viable opportunities.

Demonstrates perseverance in the face of adversity and overcoming obstacles.

What are your greatest achievements?

My dream was to build a “financial service and technology” business, my achievement was foundingAsiaPay Group as a result.

Operating a successful and social responsible company which continually provides individuals and corporate entities with newest product values, readily enhance one's quality of life and maximize business opportunities, efficiency and productivity is also an achievement.

Value :AsiaPay helps business partners remain competitive

How do you manage to balance your personal and professional life? Describe yourself in one word and tell us what inspires you?

Time-management boosts productivity and helps to balance work life which includes preplanning and scheduling.

Setting personal goals; Developing positive habits; Encouraging family support and involvement.

Balancing Personal life is perhaps a lifelong learning.

What keeps you and your employees motivated?

AsiaPay Limited's operating offices in 15Asian countries are composed of teams with innovative minds and skillful performance. With a growing number of people united to build our company name, we share the same accountabilities that kept this company going for decades now.

We search for high levels of autonomy to keep moving projects forward.

We play a critical role in championing an innovation project as they need to have the capability to envision the creative possibilities underlying their project, as well as the practical steps transform these into viable opportunities.

What does the future ofAsiaPay look like, globally? How do you plan to widespread the company services?

Embrace change and digital innovation.

We will continue to expand our footprint in the market to expand our product new payment solution and service coverage. We look forward to value adding and empowering businesses and financial institutions to keep pace with the technology and market disruption by offering comprehensive suite of payment solutions cross channels, markets and devices and technologies.

AsiaPay is already the number one in their current market position, and as they continue their innovative style of business,AsiaPay will remain constant in securing their place as the best.

SUCCESSJOURNEYSOF BUSINESSLEADERS