As we move into 2026, the way people search and interact with brands is rapidly changing. AI is shifting discovery from traditional search toward personalized, context-aware experiences, and even the interfaces we use are evolving into agent-driven tools that act on our behalf.

In this interview we explore what these changes mean for businesses and how they can prepare for a year where search, ranking, and customer experience will look very different than they do today with one of the worlds experts in search and data.

About the Guest

Christian J. Ward is Executive Vice President and Chief Data Officer at Yext. He specializes in knowledge graphs and data asset optimization, helping clients identify, value, and structure their knowledge to maximize its impact in AI and search.

Christian is the co-author of the Amazon top release Data Leverage and has built hundreds of data partnerships worldwide, working with both startups and major global data companies.

He previously served as Chief Data Officer at Arizent and Data Axle, and as Global Head of Content Innovation at Thomson Reuters. His insights have appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Fortune, and Search Engine Journal. He frequently speaks on data strategy, partnerships, and the influence of AI.

Yext helps organizations build digital experiences across any channel on its open, composable platform. The Yext Digital Experience Platform organizes content to deliver AI-driven experiences for customers, employees, and partners.

For more than 15 years, thousands of companies have trusted Yext to create seamless experiences across search engines, websites, mobile apps, and hundreds of digital touchpoints.

Guest social media

- Website: https://mobile.twitter.com/yext

https://www.yext.com/index.html

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wardchristianj/

- https://www.linkedin.com/company/yext/

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yextinc/

- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/YextDE/

Host social media

- Website: www.siinda.org

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberli-lewis-7a34053/?ppe=1

https://www.linkedin.com/company/search-and-information-industry-association/?viewAsMember=true

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/followsiinda/

AI is rapidly transforming how small and medium-sized businesses show up online, raising new expectations for accessibility, compliance, and inclusive digital experiences. As regulations tighten—especially across the EU—AI is becoming essential in helping businesses ensure their websites are usable for all customers.

In this episode our conversation explores how AI is reshaping digital discovery, accessibility standards, and the role of web providers in supporting SMBs as they build fully compliant and inclusive online presences.

About the Guest

Shawn Davis is a content marketing professional at Duda, where he shapes the brand's voice and produces clear, strategic, story-driven content for web professionals.

He focuses on creating resources that help agencies and digital marketers build better websites, strengthen their client offerings, and grow their businesses on the Duda platform.

Through his work, Shawn supports professionals in delivering high-quality digital experiences with confidence and efficiency.

Duda is a leading white-label web building platform designed for digital agencies, SaaS platforms, and web professionals serving SMBs. With its end-to-end AI Stack, advanced API-driven automation, and flexible customization options, Duda enables users to build pixel-perfect, feature-rich websites at scale.

As the top platform for Core Web Vitals—key for SEO and AI discoverability—Duda helps teams deliver exceptional performance under their own brand.

Trusted globally by organizations such as Thryv, QDQ, Italiaonline, Solocal, BeeDigital, Fonecta, and Paginas Amarillas, Duda offers a comprehensive solution for creating outstanding digital presences.

Guest social media

- Website: www.duda.co

- Facebook: www.facebook.com/duda

- Instagram: @dudaplatform

- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/duda

- Twitter/X: @dudaplatform

- YouTube: www.youTube.com/@dudamobile

Host social media

- Website: www.siinda.org

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberli-lewis-7a34053/?ppe=1

https://www.linkedin.com/company/search-and-information-industry-association/?viewAsMember=true

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/followsiinda/

Artificial intelligence is reshaping marketing at a speed and scale unlike any transformation before it. From the perspective of a seasoned CMO, AI is not just another tool—it is a structural shift redefining how customer journeys are built, how teams operate, and how brands compete. What once relied on manual execution and intuition is rapidly moving toward real-time intelligence, automated workflows, and new forms of creativity.

This episode explores how a seasoned CMO sees these changes are unfolding, what they mean for the marketing workforce and operations, and how organizations can adapt as AI becomes a central force in strategy, execution, and long-term growth

About the Guest

Sanjay Manchanda is the driving force behind Vendasta's marketing vision, combining strategic insight with a passion for storytelling to fuel growth. As CMO, he leads global marketing, using his deep expertise in brand development, go-to-market strategy, and demand generation to strengthen Vendasta's presence.

His experience across both B2B and B2C markets—shaped by leadership roles at Chargebee, Box, and Microsoft—supports Vendasta's mission to empower digital agencies and SMBs.

Sanjay has built and scaled high-performing teams, launched successful products, and helped define new market categories. At Microsoft, he was instrumental in the global rise of Office 365, guiding product marketing for enterprise and mid-market segments.

His entrepreneurial mindset, reinforced by co-founding a Silicon Valley startup, brings a strong innovation focus.

Vendasta provides AI employees that help businesses attract, engage, and retain customers. Its unified platform streamlines marketing, sales, and operations, replacing scattered tools with one system built for efficiency and growth.

Trusted by millions of SMBs and supported by a global partner network, Vendasta equips businesses to scale confidently. Headquartered in Saskatoon, it employs over 600 team members across Saskatoon, Boca Raton, and Chennai.

Guest social media

-Website: https://www.vendasta.com

-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vendasta

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vendasta/

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vendasta/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjay-manchanda-11623a/

- Twitter:

https://twitter.com/vendasta

- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Vendasta?feature=results_main

Host social media

- Website: www.siinda.org

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberli-lewis-7a34053/?ppe=1

https://www.linkedin.com/company/search-and-information-industry-association/?viewAsMember=true

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/followsiinda/

In this podcast episode, we explore the fascinating world of generative AI and its revolutionary impact across various industries. Generative AI, powered by advanced algorithms and neural networks, is impacting almost everything we do or experience. From generating realistic images and music compositions to assisting in medical research and architectural design, generative AI is transforming the way we innovate, create, and interact with technology. In this episode we are going to hear from an AI expert about what AI can do and the real-life implications it is having, as well as the ethical consideration of harnessing the power of generative AI in our rapidly evolving digital landscape.

About the Guest

Simon Greenman is a partner at Best Practice AI, a leading AI management consultancy, where he leverages over 25 years of international leadership in AI and digital transformation. He co-founded MapQuest, one of the first AI-driven internet brands, and has a strong track record of driving innovation and growth. Simon has served on the World Economic Forum's Global AI Council and led numerous digital transformations, particularly in private-equity-backed digital marketing firms. His leadership roles have included positions at globally recognized brands like HomeAdvisor, Bowers & Wilkins, and Accenture, where he delivered impactful strategies in technology and business transformation.

Beyond his consultancy work, Simon is deeply involved in early-stage investing and venture advising, serving as a trusted advisor to venture capital firms. He leads the Harvard Business School Alumni Angels AI Global Expert Group, fostering innovation in AI startups. With an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA in Computing & AI from the University of Sussex—where he built his first neural network in 1989—Simon combines academic rigor with practical expertise. A Fellow of the Royal Geographic Society, he also contributes to advancing the understanding of AI's role in shaping the future.

Guest social media

Website: https://www.bestpractice.ai

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simongreenman

X: https://twitter.com/sgreenman

Medium: https://medium.com/@sgreenman

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSjNUFio9kqq3w0xtz9fa7g

https://champions-speakers.co.uk/speaker-agent/simon-greenman

Host social media

- Website: www.siinda.org

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberli-lewis-7a34053/?ppe=1

https://www.linkedin.com/company/search-and-information-industry-association/?viewAsMember=true

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/followsiinda/

The adoption of cloud services has significantly impacted today's leadership as cloud computing has changed how organizations conduct business operations, communicate, and collaborate.

The maturity of an organization to adopt cloud and transformational solutions commonly depends on the leadership style and the full support of C-level executives, directors, and senior leaders. Adopting cloud computing can accelerate IT modernization, and business leaders must seriously evaluate the technology that can help them accelerate the required transformation.

But it also means that to accomplish this, leaders today must handle, communicate, and manage differently than they did in the past. This episode discusses effective leadership within the rapidly moving technology field.

About the Guest

Claire Milligan, CEO of the startup Aimably, the new approach to AWS (Amazon Web Services) cost management, guaranteed to delight any accountant.

AWS billing creates a blind spot that hurts businesses. AWS costs are typically the second largest line item for a technology business. AWS's standard invoices and developer tools make it extremely difficult to validate billing or keep spending under control. Aimably's software and services transform the AWS billing experience.

Whether she's helping businesses transform their cloud spending or hitting the slopes as a ski patroller, Claire Milligan thrives on distilling complex problems down to their core issues — and turning these pragmatic findings into groundbreaking solutions. Through a journey spanning marketing, UX, and leadership roles at tech companies like Tallie and SpringAhead, she's meticulously constructed a diverse skill set built upon hands-on expertise and an unrelenting thirst for knowledge.

Guest social media

-Website: https://www.aimably.com/

https://www.clairemilligan.com

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clairemilligan/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/aimably/

- Twitter: https://twitter.com/claire_designs

@claire_designs

Host social media

- Website: www.siinda.org

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberli-lewis-7a34053/?ppe=1

https://www.linkedin.com/company/search-and-information-industry-association/?viewAsMember=true

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/followsiinda/

In this episode we engage in an empowering discussion centered around the transformative insights concerning toxic leadership.

As industry leaders and innovators, we recognize the critical importance of fostering healthy leadership environments for sustainable success. In this interview, we'll explore the impacts of toxic leadership and uncover strategies to cultivate positive, growth-oriented cultures within our organizations.

We engage in a dynamic conversation that aims to empower and equip us with actionable strategies for building thriving workplaces where every individual can flourish.

About the Guest

Sean Lemson is a leadership expert, executive and team performance coach, and the founder of Motivated Outcomes.

His new book is: "One Drop of Poison: How One Bad Leader Can Slowly Kill Your Company". This book is not only chock full of useful and impactful leadership insights, but it also acts like a table of contents for other great leadership books.

Motivated Outcomes is an organization devoted to improving performance, engagement, and leadership in today's organizations.

Sean leads with passion and helps others to do so as well. Leadership is both a right and left brained activity. It requires an eye on the numbers and an eye on team chemistry and motivation. Sean specializes in finding the blind spots in organizations that affect morale and performance and coaching leaders and teams to become high performers.

Guest social media

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/slemson

Website: https://www.motivatedoutcomes.com/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MotivatedOutcomes

Host social media

- Website: www.siinda.org

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberli-lewis-7a34053/?ppe=1

https://www.linkedin.com/company/search-and-information-industry-association/?viewAsMember=true

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/followsiinda/

In today's world, trust matters more than ever. In this episode, we take a fresh look at trust between individuals: how it's built, tested, and sometimes broken. Then, we zoom out to explore how that same trust shapes teams, leaders, and entire organizations.

What happens when trust becomes a shared challenge? How does leadership influence it—and how can organizations measure and strengthen it in meaningful ways?

We'll also uncover why trust isn't simply something you have or don't. It exists on a spectrum—and when it breaks down, it can be repaired. Our guest in this episode is an expert on trust, offering practical insights for rebuilding trust that lasts.

About the Guest

Darryl Stickel is the founder of Trust Unlimited and the author of Building Trust: Exceptional Leadership in an Uncertain World, available on Amazon. He holds a PhD in Business from Duke University, where he wrote his doctoral thesis on building trust in hostile environments.

After completing his studies, Darryl joined McKinsey & Company before founding Trust Unlimited. Over the years, he has dedicated his career to deeply understanding what trust is, how it functions, and—most importantly—how it can be built.

His unique blend of rigorous academic expertise and extensive real-world experience enables him to help leaders and organizations navigate uncertainty and strengthen relationships.

Born and raised in Northern Canada, Darryl now lives in Victoria, BC. He is the proud father of two exceptional sons and travels the world with his guide dog, Drake, as he pursues his mission to make the world a more trusting and compassionate place.

Guest social media

- Website: https://www.trustunlimited.com/

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trust_unlimited/

- LinkedIn: Trust Unlimited

- YouTube: Trust Unlimited

Host social media

- Website: www.siinda.org

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberli-lewis-7a34053/?ppe=1

https://www.linkedin.com/company/search-and-information-industry-association/?viewAsMember=true

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/followsiinda/

Pressure is everywhere—but does it really make us perform better? Most of us believe it does, yet research shows that pressure often disrupts our best work. In this episode, we're breaking down why that happens, the common traps individuals and teams fall into, and three powerful truths about pressure that can change how you perform.

We'll also explore the 8% System—a research-backed approach built on high connection and high courage. Designed to help teams and individuals thrive under pressure, make better decisions, and achieve real results, this system has been used by Olympic coaches, NFL teams, and top organizations. Our guest shares practical strategies to transform pressure from a threat into your greatest advantage.

About the Guest

Dr. JP Pawliw, a globally recognized author and expert on culture, leadership, emotional intelligence, and performing under pressure, wrote the New York Times bestselling book -Performing Under Pressure: The Science of Doing Your Best When It Matters Most.

As Co-Founder of the Institute for Health and Human Potential, he surveys more than 40,000 people each month, uncovering behavioral insights that help elite teams—from United States Navy SEALs to Fortune 100 executives—excel in high-stakes environments.

His groundbreaking research on the "Last 8%," the critical moments when people hesitate to speak up or decide, has transformed how organizations build courageous, emotionally intelligent cultures.

Featured in Harvard Business Review and major global media, JP has created a neuroscience-based Last 8% Culture System that equips leaders to act with courage, connection, and accountability. His work has impacted leading organizations including IBM, Microsoft, NASA, The Coca-Cola Company, and National Football League.

Guest social media

- Website: https://www.jppawliw-fry.com/

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/last8project

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jppawliwfry/

- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFQNKGG6__gKdxb4OYeIPzwdz5Va82HHf

Host social media

-Website: www.siinda.org

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberli-lewis-7a34053/?ppe=1

https://www.linkedin.com/company/search-and-information-industry-association/?viewAsMember=true

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/followsiinda/