In this episode, we sit down with Lupe Rodríguez, Chief Investment Officer for a distinguished family office, seasoned businesswoman, person of faith, and author. With decades of experience at the highest levels of business and finance, Lupe shares her insights on wealth generation, leadership, and making values-driven decisions in a complex world.
Beyond her role as CIO, Lupe is deeply committed to philanthropy, supporting initiatives that strengthen democracy, empower the next generation, and uplift communities through the arts and animal welfare. Her journey embodies a unique blend of business acumen, faith, and service, offering a masterclass in leading with both purpose and impact.
Whether you’re an investor, a leader, or someone seeking inspiration to align your career with your values, this conversation will leave you with powerful lessons on building wealth, shaping legacy, and leading with conviction.
In this episode, I sit down with Emma Rodriguez-Ayala, Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel, and Board Secretary at Ariel Investments, to explore the intersection of impact investing, leadership, and the rapid rise of women’s sports.
Emma shares insights from her two decades in investment management, her work alongside Mellody Hobson and Jason Wright on Project Level, a groundbreaking initiative designed to level the playing field in women’s sports, and her perspective as a board director, legal strategist, and advocate for diversity in corporate leadership.
Tune in and subscribe!
In this episode of Exponential Growth, I sit down with Elliott Segarra, Senior Client Partner at Korn Ferry and former Managing Director at Accenture, to explore the evolving intersection of supply chains, AI, and leadership.
With over two decades of experience helping global organizations transform operations, Elliott shares how today’s leaders can translate the art of the possible into the art of the practical. We dive into:
– How AI is disrupting traditional supply chain models
– What great leadership looks like in a time of transformation
– Why trusted relationships are the foundation of innovation
Whether you're a founder, executive, or operator, this conversation is packed with insights on how to build more intelligent, more resilient systems in the age of AI.
Let’s talk transformation.
What happens when cutting-edge tech meets deep boardroom wisdom?
In this episode, we sit down with Maria Wynne, a powerhouse leader who has shaped industries across the private, public, and nonprofit sectors, from Microsoft and Xerox to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago and the Goodman Theatre.
Maria brings a rare blend of C-suite experience, technology insight, and corporate governance expertise. We dive into:
Whether you're a board member, tech executive, or future CEO, Maria offers a masterclass in modern leadership and the strategic mindset needed to thrive at the intersection of innovation and impact.
👉 Listen now and learn from one of today’s most dynamic leaders.
In this episode, we dive deep into the intersection of tech, wealth, innovation, and purpose with Rodrigo Garcia, an accomplished C-level investment executive and thought leader in sustainable finance and impact investing.
Rodrigo has led billion-dollar investment platforms, driven top-quartile VC/PE returns, and pioneered sustainable investing frameworks that are transforming how capital fuels growth. From his work crafting Illinois' $1B Growth & Innovation Fund to leading ESG strategies and creating secure retirement solutions for thousands, Rodrigo brings a rare blend of analytical insight, emotional intelligence, and real-world results.
We cover:
If you're an investor, policymaker, or builder thinking about the future of capital, this one’s for you.
🎧 Subscribe and listen now to Exponential Growth wherever you get your podcasts.
👥 Guest: Rodrigo Garcia
Qualified Financial Expert | Strategic Investor | ESG Leader
Member of the Latino Corporate Directors Association (LCDA)
#ExponentialGrowth #AIInvesting #WealthCreation #LatinoLeadership #SustainableFinance #VentureCapital #PrivateEquity #ESG #ImpactInvesting
In this episode, we spotlight the incredible journey of Manny Favela, an accomplished finance executive, former McDonald’s Latin America CFO, and co-founder of Burrito Parrilla Mexicana. Manny brings decades of leadership across corporate finance, technology, real estate, and franchising to his work building a fast-casual restaurant brand grounded in community, quality, and purpose.
This conversation provides a high-level overview of how strong leadership and people-first entrepreneurship can create lasting economic and social value, spanning healthcare and tech, food service, and beyond.
You won’t want to miss this.
In this powerful episode of Exponential Growth, I sit down with Alejandro Mainetto, visionary CIO/CTO, GenAI expert, angel investor, and board leader, to explore the exponential forces shaping our world. Alejandro shares wisdom from two decades of transforming organizations through cutting-edge technology, innovation strategy, and AI deployment.
We go deep on:
How leaders can thrive during digital disruption
The real-world impact of generative AI on legacy sectors
Trends in investing in startups and tech ventures
& More
Whether you’re a tech executive, investor, or future-forward thinker, this is a masterclass in leadership and innovation you won’t want to miss.
💡 Subscribe for more conversations on tech, leadership, and investing.
🎙️ Exponential Growth | Episode with Lili Gil Valletta
Topic: Media, Investments & Technology Through a Cultural Intelligence® Lens
In this powerful episode, I sit down with Lili Gil Valletta, a trailblazing entrepreneur, board director, media commentator, and Cultural Intelligence® expert.
From arriving in the U.S. at 17 without speaking English to co-founding two global firms—CIEN+ and Human Dot Plus—Lili has redefined what it means to lead with purpose, data, and culture. A former Johnson & Johnson executive and one of less than 1% of Latinas on public company boards, she brings sharp insights on how media, tech, and investing can be transformed through inclusivity and cultural foresight.
If you care about the intersection of technology, culture, and impact, this one’s for you.
Subscribe to the Exponential Growth podcast for more conversations with the leaders shaping tomorrow.
🎙️ Exponential Growth Podcast | Episode with Kevin Klenk
In this episode, I sit down with Kevin Klenk, a seasoned technology leader whose career has spanned Ford, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), and now The Aerospace Corporation. We explore how cutting-edge tech is powering everything from deep space missions to national defense, and what that means for our digital future.
If you're passionate about exponential technologies, national innovation, or the future of space and defense, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
Welcome to the Exponential Growth Podcast! In this session recap, we cover the key takeaways from our episodes that are packed with insights, inspiration, and practical strategies for growth-minded individuals and entrepreneurs.
Whether you’re building a business, scaling your personal brand, or simply looking to grow, this recap gives you a quick, powerful dose of motivation and clarity.
👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, like, and share if you found value!
Leadership, Quantum Computing, and Investing with Gregory Hedges
In this engaging episode, we dive into a compelling conversation with Gregory Hedges, a visionary at the crossroads of cutting-edge technology, strategic leadership, and investing. From leading high-performing teams to exploring the frontiers of quantum computing, Gregory shares how emerging tech is reshaping industries and influencing tomorrow’s investment decisions.
Whether you're a tech enthusiast, an investor looking for the next big wave, or a leader navigating change, this episode is packed with actionable insights and futuristic thinking.
Tune in and get inspired to lead, learn, and leverage the future.
🎙️ Exponential Growth Podcast with David Olvenia
Guest: Dr. Alejandro Badia – Orthopedic Surgeon, Founder of OrthoNOW, Author, Healthcare Advocate
In this engaging and insightful episode, host David Olivencia sits down with Dr. Alejandro Badia, a leading orthopedic hand and upper limb surgeon and the founder of OrthoNOW, to explore the future of healthcare, innovation, and systemic reform.
What You’ll Learn:
🔔 Don’t miss future conversations with trailblazing leaders. Subscribe now to the Exponential Growth Podcast on your favorite platform.
“Amplifiers of Growth: Leadership, AI, and Investing with Fernando Rosario”
In this high-energy episode of the Exponential Growth Podcast, host David reconnects with longtime friend and leadership expert Fernando Rosario. From Puerto Rico to Purdue, Fortune 500 boardrooms to adrenaline sports, Fernando shares his fascinating career journey and hard-earned insights on exponential leadership.
Together, they explore:
This episode is packed with actionable advice for leaders, innovators, and anyone seeking their next leap forward. Don't forget to subscribe for weekly trends, insights, and exponential growth.
Innovation in Technology and Leadership
The episode features Jesús Mantas, former IBM executive, who shares insights from his extensive career. He emphasizes how foundational technologies like the internet and cloud computing revolutionized industries, paving the way for current innovations in AI
⚙️ Cloud and AI Transformation
Mantas discusses how tasks that once took weeks can now be completed in seconds due to cloud advancements. This shift laid the groundwork for AI's explosive growth, enabling powerful platforms to build creative solutions faster.
🤖 The Rise of AI and the Creativity Imperative
With AI handling routine work, human creativity becomes the most critical skill for leadership and innovation. Mantas stresses creativity as the new core value in workplaces, likening it to an irreplaceable artistic skill.
🧬 Biotech and Quantum Future
His board work at Biogen exposes him to the convergence of biology and AI. He explains how AI helps design precise medicines, improving healthcare. He also forecasts quantum computing as the next major disruptor due to its massive data-crunching potential.
🧪 Brain Science and Neuroplasticity
The discussion moves to brain health and how we're entering a "brain decade." New understandings in neuroplasticity and treatments for diseases like Alzheimer’s could redefine longevity and mental fitness.
📈 Investment Strategy
Mantas shares his approach to investing—favoring sectors poised for long-term growth over chasing trends. He values founder resilience and creativity above ideas, seeing them as essential for startup success.
📚 Commitment to Lifelong Learning
Mantas concludes with his personal mission to increase the pace of his learning post-retirement. He plans to read more, possibly teach, and continue advising companies to stay intellectually active.
In this special bonus episode of the Exponential Growth Podcast, host David Olivenia sits down with Ruben Garcia, CEO of Certiverse, a groundbreaking platform transforming the certification industry. From raising $17 million to achieving 400% growth, Ruben reveals the innovative tech and business strategies powering their journey. Hear how Certiverse disrupts costly, outdated models with AI-driven, scalable solutions, enabling organizations to build certification exams faster, cheaper, and better. Whether you're a startup founder, investor, or lifelong learner, this conversation offers valuable insights into building resilient businesses and leveraging innovation for exponential growth.
Subscribe now to the Exponential Growth Podcast on your favorite platform so you never miss an episode packed with insights from today’s most innovative leaders!
In this thought-provoking episode, host David Olivencia sits down with Dr. Ramses Alcaide, neuroscientist, entrepreneur, and CEO of Neurable, to explore how brain-computer interfaces and artificial intelligence are reshaping our understanding of mental performance and health.
Dr. Alcaide shares the personal story that led him to create brain-controlled prosthetics, and how that mission evolved into founding a startup focused on wearable neurotech. Learn how Neurable’s revolutionary headphones and earbuds can measure brain metrics like focus, brain age, and neurodegeneration—offering insights once locked away in labs.
Discover the role of AI in interpreting brain data, the applications for ADHD and mental wellness, and why Dr. Alcaide believes this is a breakout decade for neurotech innovation.
What you’ll learn:
🧠 “You can’t optimize what you can’t measure—and now we can measure your brain.”
🎙️ Exponential Growth Podcast | Supply Chain Innovation with Luis Solana
In this episode of the Exponential Growth Podcast, host David Olivencia sits down with supply chain veteran and investor Luis Solana to explore the forces shaping the future of global supply chains. From leading operations at DHL, Colgate-Palmolive, and Bridgestone to advising private equity firms, Luis shares his journey, lessons learned from entrepreneurship, and insights into today’s biggest trends.
Tune in as we cover:
✅ Luis’s global career in supply chain leadership
✅ The three megatrends transforming supply chains: automation & digitization, visibility & global trade, and resiliency & productivity
✅ How AI and technology are enabling predictive, efficient, and future-ready supply chains
✅ What investors should consider when evaluating supply chain startups
Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, or simply curious about supply chain innovation, this conversation delivers actionable insights you won’t want to miss.
👉 Subscribe, listen, and stay ahead of the exponential trends shaping our world.
Exponential Growth fans, I've got something special for you! I sat down with Francisco Cornejo, Founder of Storybook App, a wellness-tech startup and a proud Angeles Investors portfolio company.
We're diving deep into topics such as what real exponential growth looks like, how Storybook scaled impact across global families, the power of purpose-driven leadership in tech, and more.
Don't miss this one. Hit subscribe and tune in. Let's grow exponentially together!
Entrepreneurship, Leadership & Investing with Staci LaToison
Welcome to Exponential Growth. This week, we are joined by visionary investor and empowerment advocate Staci LaToison, founder of Dream Big Ventures and host of Her Money Moves (StaciLaToison.com).
This isn’t just another business podcast.
It’s a deep dive into the mindset, strategy, and resilience it takes to scale not just companies, but legacies.
💬 Topics We Explore:
🔁 New Episodes Drop Weekly
Follow now and join the movement
Join host David Olivencia as he sits down with dynamic entrepreneur Korina Sanchez in this inspiring episode of Exponential Growth! Broadcasting live from Salvi Studios in Chicago, Korina shares her incredible journey, from practicing law to leading her family's hospitality empire with six successful venues, and now launching a 1.2-gigawatt solar panel facility in Puerto Rico.
Korina Sanchez discusses:
Get inspired by Korina Sanchez's story of resilience, innovation, and passion for making an impact through business and community leadership. Whether you’re interested in hospitality, technology, or investment, this episode is packed with valuable insights you won't want to miss!
🎧 Listen now and discover how exponential thinking can fuel your entrepreneurial journey!
Exponential Growth with David Olivencia
Guest: William M. Velez
In this energizing episode, William M. Velez takes us on a journey from his roots in electrical engineering to leadership roles as CIO across industries. From launching his career at Accenture to earning an MBA, William reveals the strategic blend of tech and business that shaped his executive path.
A must-listen for professionals, investors, and dreamers navigating the exponential age.
Subscribe today.
Welcome to Season 2 of the Exponential Growth Podcast!
We’re kicking off the new season with a powerhouse episode with Ray Kallmeyer, CEO of Enklu, that dives deep into the technologies shaping our future. Hosted by David Olivencia, this episode sets the tone for what's to come: Insightful conversations with innovators leading exponential change.
Episode Summary
- From Gaming to AR Innovation
Ray Kallmeyer, CEO of Enklu, shares his personal journey from programming and gaming to leading in the spatial computing space. His passion was ignited from childhood and shaped by a pivotal life revelation that redefined his purpose and career trajectory.
- Power of Spatial Computing
Ray highlights augmented reality (AR) and spatial computing as the next wave of digital evolution, distinguishing it from virtual reality (VR). AR integrates digital overlays into the real world, promising to replace smartphones with smart glasses and transform everyday interactions.
- The Economic Gap in AR
A critical insight discussed is the economic bottleneck in AR content creation. Unlike gaming, which can justify million-dollar budgets, most AR use cases need low-cost, scalable content creation—something generative AI and platforms like Enklu are solving.
- Building the AR Ecosystem with Enklu
Enklu acts as the “Roblox of AR,” providing tools to build, publish, and monetize AR content. Their product, “Verses,” are interactive AR environments being deployed globally in venues like malls, amusement centers, and even rural towns.
- Immersive Social Experiences
Unlike VR, Enklu’s AR experiences are social and physical, allowing real-time interaction in shared spaces. Experiences like Deeproot Garden and Primal Ranch mix storytelling with education and thrill, appealing to a broad age range.
- Global Growth and Accessibility
Enklu is expanding across the US and internationally with installations in places like Chicago, Mexico City, Ireland, and the Bahamas. These family-friendly locations offer high repeat and referral value due to their immersive, novel experiences.
- Smart Glasses: The Future Hardware
The podcast dives into hardware innovation from Meta, Snap, and Apple. Smart glasses are becoming discreet and powerful, allowing at-home AR experiences that mimic in-person installations.
- Investment Trends in Spatial Computing
Ray emphasizes investing in generative AI, creator marketplaces, and infrastructure for AR. Platforms that bridge creators and consumers, like app stores once did for smartphones, hold major potential.
Subscribe now & don’t miss a single episode this season!
Be part of the movement. Stay ahead of the curve. Embrace exponential growth.
Leadership, Opportunities, and Investments with Adela Cepeda
In this insightful episode, we sit down with Adela Cepeda, a trailblazing financial expert and investor, to explore the intersection of leadership, opportunities, and investments. With decades of experience in corporate finance and board leadership, Adela shares her journey as a Latina, the lessons she’s learned, and the impact of strategic investments in driving economic growth.
Tune in for an inspiring conversation
🎧 Listen now and get ready to be inspired!
Episode Summary
In this exciting episode of the Exponential Growth Podcast, host David Olivencia sits down with William Salvi, co-founder of Salvi Studios and host of the Emmy award-winning CEO Series. Broadcasting from the newly launched Salvi Studios in Chicago, this conversation dives into William’s journey of building a successful media company, his take on the digital content revolution, and the impact of AI and exponential growth in media.
Key Takeaways from This Episode:
Welcome to Exponential Growth with David Olivencia, the podcast where we explore the technologies, strategies, and leadership principles shaping the future. Each episode features conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and disruptors who are driving change in the world’s biggest companies and fastest-growing startups.
In this episode, we sit down with Diego Ocampo, a tech leader with experience at Amazon, Verizon, and Rivian, to discuss:
- The game-changing impact of AI, Quantum Computing, and Advanced Robotics
- Smart investment strategies in emerging technologies
- How to lead and innovate in a world of exponential change
If you're an entrepreneur, investor, or tech enthusiast, this podcast is your insider guide to staying ahead of the curve.
🎧 Listen Now