Building a Trillion-Dollar Culture with Juan Carlos “JC” Gutierrez & Angeles Investors

What does it really take to build a trillion-dollar company?

In this Exponential Growth bonus episode, I sat down with Juan Carlos “JC” Gutierrez, Managing Director of Technology and Innovation at Amazon Web Services (AWS) LIVE with Angeles Investors, to explore the hidden frameworks behind Amazon’s rise into a multi-trillion-dollar powerhouse.

We break down:
- The mission and principles that drive long-term growth at Amazon.
- The “Day One” mindset that keeps companies innovating instead of stagnating.
- The bar-raising hiring process ensures that every new employee strengthens the culture.
- The power of “working backwards” and Amazon’s document-driven decision model.
- How AI-first thinking is reshaping leadership, innovation, and the future of work.

This is a masterclass in building organizations that last, and cultures that scale.

If you’re a founder, investor, or leader aiming to build something enduring, this episode is a blueprint for exponential success.

🎙 Exponential Growth: Leadership, AI, and Investing with Biju Kulathakal

In this episode of Exponential Growth, David Olivencia sits down with Biju Kulathakal, Founder and CEO at LightSpeed, Co-founder at Halo Investing, and one of the early co-founders of Redbox, to explore how innovation, leadership, and purpose are shaping the next decade of exponential growth.

From energy and AI to investing and housing, this conversation dives deep into how technology and capital are converging to redefine industries, and how leaders can stay ahead of the curve.

His journey from aerospace engineer to fintech founder is a masterclass in vision, resilience, and leading through change.

If you’re passionate about leadership, innovation, and investing in the future, this is a must-listen conversation.

🎧 Listen now to Exponential Growth, where we explore the ideas, leaders, and forces shaping the future of our world.

In this episode of Exponential Growth, I sit down with Jorge Titinger, Founder & CEO of Titinger Consulting, board leader, and culture architect, to explore what it really means to lead with purpose in an era defined by AI and rapid change.

Jorge shares how great leaders lead, inspire alignment, and embrace innovation. From cultivating high-performance cultures to preparing organizations for the future, his insights bridge leadership, technology, and investing in a way few can.

If you’re building teams, scaling a company, or rethinking what leadership looks like in the digital age, this conversation will challenge and inspire you.

In this episode of Exponential Growth, I sit down with César A. Lostaunau, Global Director of Workforce Engagement at Morningstar, to explore how AI, investing, and leadership are reshaping the modern workforce.

With over 20 years of leading enterprise-wide transformation across Fortune 100 companies, César brings a unique blend of data-driven strategy, human-centered leadership, and inclusive innovation.

César’s insights go beyond buzzwords. This is about how leaders can use AI responsibly, invest strategically, and lead intentionally in a changing world.

🎧 Tune in to learn how technology and purpose intersect to shape the future of work.

 #ExponentialGrowth #AIWorkforce #Leadership #Investing #Morningstar #Innovation #Podcast

In this episode, I sit down with Scott Slisher, CEO of OnSite Partners, to explore the forces shaping the future of AI and energy. From the explosive demand for data centers to the chips that fuel them, Scott shares insider perspectives on how deregulated power markets, renewables, and energy storage intersect with next-generation technologies.

We dive into:

-The energy demands of AI and data centers
- Trends in renewables and distributed generation
- How chips and infrastructure are transforming industries
- The future of power, innovation, and global growth

If you’re curious about where AI meets energy, and the massive opportunities this creates, you won’t want to miss this conversation.

🎙️ Exponential Growth Podcast
Episode: Breaking Barriers in Venture Capital with Samara Mejía Hernández

Samara Mejía Hernández’s journey to becoming one of the most influential Latinas in venture capital wasn’t paved with privilege or insider networks; it was built with resilience, vision, and relentless determination.

From growing up in a community where venture capital wasn’t even on the radar, to earning her degree at the University of Michigan, to breaking into Goldman Sachs, Samara has consistently defied expectations. Today, she’s the Founding Partner of Chingona Ventures, a seed-stage fund that backs tech-enabled companies led by diverse, often overlooked founders.

In this episode, we dive into:

• Samara’s inspiring insights into Chingona Ventures
• How AI and emerging technologies are reshaping the future of work
• Why backing nontraditional founders unlocks exponential innovation
• The future of venture capital through the lens of diversity and disruption

Samara embodies the meaning of chingona, a bold, fearless leader investing in people and ideas that are changing the world.

Tune in for a conversation that will challenge how you think about investing, innovation, and the future of entrepreneurship.

👉 Subscribe to Exponential Growth and join us as we uncover the leaders and trends shaping tomorrow.

🎙️ Exponential Growth: Unveiling the Hidden Threads of Elon Musk’s Trillion-Dollar Empire

From electric cars to rockets, satellites to AI, Elon Musk’s influence stretches across industries worth trillions. But how do all these seemingly separate ventures connect?

In this episode, I sit down with Alejandro Mainetto to explore the hidden threads of Musk’s empire

Alejandro brings sharp insights on strategy, innovation, and the compounding power of vision. Together, we break down how Musk’s empire isn’t just shaping industries, it’s reshaping the future.

If you’ve ever wondered how the world’s most ambitious entrepreneur ties it all together, this conversation is for you.

Subscribe to Exponential Growth for more insights into the trends, investments, and leaders shaping the future.

In this episode of Exponential Growth with David Olivencia, I sit down with David Mullings, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Blue Mahoe Capital (NASDAQ: IRIE), to explore the intersection of business trends, leadership, and the future of Caribbean investments.

David shares his journey from Jamaica to Florida, and how Blue Mahoe Capital is reshaping access to real estate, equity, and private credit across the Caribbean.

We discuss:

• Why Caribbean investments are a hidden gem for global investors
• The biggest business trends shaping 2025 and beyond
• Leadership lessons and insights
• How to think about long-term value in emerging markets

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, or leader looking for fresh opportunities, this conversation will inspire you to look where others aren’t and see the growth frontier.

👉 Tune in, take notes, and get ready to expand your vision of exponential growth.

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:

• How she’s driving innovation through AI and quantum development in Chicago
• The evolving role of boards in a tech-first world
• What it takes to lead successful turnarounds and transformations
• How bilingualism and a global perspective have shaped her leadership style

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:

• How AI is reshaping investment strategies
• The role of leadership in finance
• How to build wealth with purpose
• Lessons from managing institutional capital at scale
• & more

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:

• Dr. Badia’s Immigrant Journey & Medical Career
  • From Cuba to New Jersey, Ivy League education, and decades of surgical excellence.
  • His entrepreneurial pivot to founding OrthoNOW for accessible orthopedic care.
• Exponential Growth Trends in Healthcare
  • How AI, orthobiologics, and stem cell innovations are transforming patient care.
  • The potential of regenerative medicine and biologic healing solutions.
• The Hidden Costs of Healthcare
  • Why America spends nearly 20% of GDP on healthcare—and how we can change it.
  • The harmful role of middlemen, pre-authorizations, and insurance bureaucracy.
  • Why “gatekeepers” are failing patients and how direct specialist access can save billions.
• Patient Education & Public Awareness
  • The need for transparent, accurate health education beyond media hype.
  • Empowering patients through accessible information and clinical truth.
• & More!

🔔 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:

• The evolving role of AI in software and fintech
• How leaders can avoid buzzword traps and think strategically
• The concept of "amplifiers" — people who elevate your success
• Fernando’s upcoming book and AI-powered coaching tools
• Investment strategies rooted in expertise and curiosity

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:

• The intersection of neuroscience, AI, and wearable tech
• How ADHD, stress, and brain health are measured in real time
• Startup lessons from PhD lab to market success
• Why brain data may be the next wave of personal health

🧠 “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.