Host: Tessa Burg

What happens when an old-school creative jumps headfirst into AI? In this episode of Leader Generation, Tessa Burg talks with Sergio Cardona for an eye-opening look at how technology is changing the creative process. 
Sergio shares his journey from traditional design roots to becoming a leader in AI-driven creativity, showing how curiosity and adaptability can open new doors for any creative professional. You’ll hear how tools like Midjourney and ChatGPT help Sergio move faster, break through creative blocks, and tell richer, more engaging stories. 
But this conversation goes beyond tools—it’s about mindset. Whether you’re a designer, marketer, or just AI-curious, you’ll walk away with fresh insights on how to partner with technology without losing the human spark that makes great work stand out. Give it a listen—you’ll be inspired to rethink what’s possible.
Leader Generation is hosted by Tessa Burg and brought to you by Mod Op. 
 
About Sergio Cardona:
Lead AI Designer at Mod Op, Sergio Cardona is a multidisciplinary designer with a focus on packaging design, 3D packaging CGI, modeling and creative technology. He moved to the U.S. at 17 and studied Packaging Design at FIT. Since starting his career in 2007, he’s grown his skills by blending traditional design with new tools and technologies. He’s now expanding into AI design, bringing intelligent systems into his workflow while staying true to strong design fundamentals. By combining classic design, motion and 3D packaging CGI with the power of AI, Sergio creates work that’s both creative and scalable. He’s known for balancing sharp visual instincts with a systems-driven mindset—treating design as both a craft and a collaboration between human creativity and technology.
 
About Tessa Burg:
Tessa is the Chief Technology Officer at Mod Op and Host of the Leader Generation podcast. She has led both technology and marketing teams for 15+ years. Tessa initiated and now leads Mod Op's AI/ML Pilot Team, AI Council and Innovation Pipeline. She started her career in IT and development before following her love for data and strategy into digital marketing. Tessa has held roles on both the consulting and client sides of the business for domestic and international brands, including American Greetings, Amazon, Nestlé, Anlene, Moen and many more. Tessa can be reached on LinkedIn or at [email protected].

What if data wasn’t just something you measured, but a powerful spark for your most creative marketing ideas? In this episode, Tessa Burg talks with Boobesh Ramadurai to explore how artificial intelligence is changing the game for marketers—especially when it comes to blending data, creativity, and speed. 
With over two decades of experience working with Fortune 500 companies, Boobesh shares real-world stories, helpful trends, and smart strategies to help you move faster, work smarter, and create content that truly connects. You’ll hear how brands are using AI to understand their audiences on a deeper level, make real-time campaign decisions, and even rethink what “good content” really means. 
Grab your headphones—this one’s packed with insight and inspiration you don’t want to miss. Leader Generation is hosted by Tessa Burg and brought to you by Mod Op. 
 
About Boobesh Ramadurai:
Boobesh Ramadurai comes with two decades of extensive hands-on experience in analytics, digital marketing, and data visualization. He specializes in building high-performing customer-facing teams that drive revenue growth and ensure customer success.
At LatentView Analytics, Boobesh acts as a strategic consulting partner for chief marketing officers (CMOs), helping organizations accelerate their AI-driven marketing maturity. With expertise in building AI-first marketing data solutions for Fortune 500 clients across various industries, Boobesh focuses on developing internal capabilities in marketing analytics and LLM operations.
He manages a large global analytics team comprising high-performing talent in data engineering, data analytics, and data science. Boobesh has a proven track record in establishing multiple onsite and offshore teams by implementing industry-standard best practices and guidelines for effective collaboration. He is currently heading the Centre of Excellence for Marketing Analytics for LatentView Analytics.
 
About Tessa Burg:
Tessa is the Chief Technology Officer at Mod Op and Host of the Leader Generation podcast. She has led both technology and marketing teams for 15+ years. Tessa initiated and now leads Mod Op's AI/ML Pilot Team, AI Council and Innovation Pipeline. She started her career in IT and development before following her love for data and strategy into digital marketing. Tessa has held roles on both the consulting and client sides of the business for domestic and international brands, including American Greetings, Amazon, Nestlé, Anlene, Moen and many more. Tessa can be reached on LinkedIn or at [email protected].

In this episode of Leader Generation, host Tessa Burg speaks with Aaron Grando, VP of Creative Innovation at Mod Op, about how the agency is using AI to enhance creative work and improve client experiences. 
Aaron shares the story behind Brand Agent, Mod Op’s AI-powered assistant designed to align capabilities similar to ChatGPT with each client’s unique voice, values and goals. Aaron and Tessa discuss how Brand Agent not only enhances internal efficiencies—such as content writing, data summarization and brainstorming ideas—but also transforms how brands connect with their audiences. From personalized emails to AI-enhanced search and content recommendations, Aaron shows how AI goes beyond just being a productivity tool; it becomes a creative partner. 
Whether you're leading marketing for a brand or working at an agency, this episode showcases the potential when innovation and brand integrity come together.
Leader Generation is hosted by Tessa Burg and brought to you by Mod Op. 
About Aaron Grando:
Aaron Grando, VP, Creative Innovation on Mod Op's Innovation team, is a seasoned technologist with over 15 years of experience at creative agencies. With a background in strategy, design, engineering, and marketing, Aaron has worked extensively in industries like media, entertainment, gaming, food & beverage, fashion, and technology. At Mod Op, Aaron leads efforts to integrate AI into creative processes, creating tools that connect creatives and clients with insights, spark ideas, and enable new brand experiences. Projects include collaborations with companies like NBCUniversal, Bethesda Softworks, Under Armour, Planet Fitness, Dietz & Watson, and more, focusing on infusing creative strategies with innovative technology to create cutting-edge brand experiences. 
 
About Tessa Burg:
Tessa is the Chief Technology Officer at Mod Op and Host of the Leader Generation podcast. She has led both technology and marketing teams for 15+ years. Tessa initiated and now leads Mod Op's AI/ML Pilot Team, AI Council and Innovation Pipeline. She started her career in IT and development before following her love for data and strategy into digital marketing. Tessa has held roles on both the consulting and client sides of the business for domestic and international brands, including American Greetings, Amazon, Nestlé, Anlene, Moen and many more. Tessa can be reached on LinkedIn or at [email protected].

To celebrate Women in Tech Day, Tessa Burg is joined by Elli Dimitroulakos, Head of Ad Product and Innovation at Media.net. As a trailblazer in the ad tech industry, Elli shares her journey through transformative roles in media, TV, DSPs, broadcasting, publishing and podcasting. 
She discusses how embracing change and fostering cultures of innovation have fueled her success, even when faced with resistance. Elli’s insights into balancing human-driven innovation with data-backed decisions offer practical strategies for leaders navigating today’s fast-evolving tech landscape.
Listen in as Elli explains how Media.net is revolutionizing ad tech by bridging the gap between publishers and advertisers, using search intent data to deliver more efficient and personalized targeting. 
From overcoming resistance to change to fostering diverse thinking and leveraging AI for better collaboration, this episode is packed with actionable insights for anyone looking to lead through innovation. 
Leader Generation is hosted by Tessa Burg and brought to you by Mod Op. 
About Elli Dimitroulakos:
Elli is an award winning, visionary and Global Ads Monetization and emerging technologies expert having held senior leadership positions in Podcasting, TV, Publishing and Ad Tech. She has a proven track record of driving multi-year product strategies that accelerate rapid revenue growth strategies and shape business direction.
Elli has Extensive experience in Product Innovation, Media monetization, programmatic and data GTM strategies & Business Development. Passionate about mentoring and guiding individuals and helping underrepresented content creators maximize advertising opportunities and an advocate for human rights, equality and fair and equitable business practices.
Throughout her career, Elli has received a number of awards for her contributions to ad tech and is a frequent speaker and contributor on Forbes, Adexchanger, Cannes, SXSW and more.
Elli is also a member of Chief, supporting female executive leaders and a member of the Hellenic Initiative, a non profit dedicated to the entrepreneurial development of Greece.
Elli has lived in two countries and three different cities and has a thirst for adventure and immersing herself into various cultures. She has atv’ed in a Mexican jungle, zip lined through trees, rafted in a Class 3, free falled into a waterfall and bungee jumped into a pool. Skydiving is next on her bucket list.
Elli lives between the East Coast and Greece where her family resides. An avid reader, music fanatic and podcast addict, she’s often listening to Ad Week’s Great minds, NY Mag’s Pivot, Brene Brown’s Dare to lead, On Purpose by Jay Shetty, or attending live music events.
About Tessa Burg:
Tessa is the Chief Technology Officer at Mod Op and Host of the Leader Generation podcast. She has led both technology and marketing teams for 15+ years. Tessa initiated and now leads Mod Op's AI/ML Pilot Team, AI Council and Innovation Pipeline. She started her career in IT and development before following her love for data and strategy into digital marketing. Tessa has held roles on both the consulting and client sides of the business for domestic and international brands, including American Greetings, Amazon, Nestlé, Anlene, Moen and many more. Tessa can be reached on LinkedIn or at [email protected].
 

Change is hard—especially in big organizations with deeply ingrained processes. But what if you could lead transformation in a way that not only gets buy-in but also generates real business growth? 
In this episode of Leader Generation, Alan Wizemann, Chief Digital Officer at Southern Glazer’s, shares how he has built a career helping companies like Target, Lululemon and Dollar Shave Club evolve in the face of digital disruption.
Alan walks us through the challenges of leading change, the importance of transparency and why fostering innovation from within can lead to breakthrough success. He also discusses how AI is reshaping sales and marketing—and why it’s not about replacing people, but empowering them. 
Leader Generation is hosted by Tessa Burg and brought to you by Mod Op. 
About Alan Wizemann:
Alan Wizemann is Chief Digital Officer for Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits (Southern Glazer’s), the world’s pre-eminent distributor of beverage alcohol, and proud to be a multi-generational, family-owned Company. Wizemann leads the Company’s Digital Acceleration group, overseeing Southern Glazer’s digital transformation, and is responsible for enterprise-wide digital initiatives—including the industry-leading B2B eCommerce Proof® platform.
With decades of experience in digital product development, omni-channel experiences, technology, and entrepreneurship, Wizemann has been instrumental in shaping and transforming the digital landscape for some of the world's most well-known consumer companies. At Target Corporation, he launched and led key digital initiatives across Target.com, Target Mobile, and Cartwheel, which became an industry-leading mobile platform. Wizemann also held digital leadership roles driving transformation at Lululemon Athletica Inc., Goop, WebMD, Dollar Shave Club, quip, and most recently, Munchkin Inc. His visionary approach to product strategy, user-centric design and building agile teams at scale has consistently delivered results. 
Wizemann is an engineer at heart who has delivered effective solutions in complex environments, and he is a proven entrepreneur who has built and scaled digital capabilities and fostered a culture of innovation.
About Tessa Burg:
Tessa is the Chief Technology Officer at Mod Op and Host of the Leader Generation podcast. She has led both technology and marketing teams for 15+ years. Tessa initiated and now leads Mod Op's AI/ML Pilot Team, AI Council and Innovation Pipeline. She started her career in IT and development before following her love for data and strategy into digital marketing. Tessa has held roles on both the consulting and client sides of the business for domestic and international brands, including American Greetings, Amazon, Nestlé, Anlene, Moen and many more. Tessa can be reached on LinkedIn or at [email protected].
 

Before introducing Aaron Grando to review the AI-powered coding assistant Cursor, Tessa Burg explores the key trends shaping the future of AI in 2025.
From the explosion of new technologies to the rise of real-time personalization, Tessa lays out a roadmap for how businesses can strategically adopt AI. She also highlights the shift towards smaller, more senior teams and how collaboration will become critical for maximizing AI's potential.
Aaron Grando, VP of Creative Innovation at Mod Op, shares his hands-on experience with Cursor. Aaron explains how this powerful app streamlines workflows, enhances context, and even integrates non-coding tasks like notes and project insights.
Curious about how AI can make your team more productive and creative? This episode shares relatable examples to help you get started.
Leader Generation is hosted by Tessa Burg and brought to you by Mod Op. 
Contributor Aaron Grando:
Aaron Grando, VP, Creative Innovation on Mod Op's Innovation team, is a seasoned technologist with over 15 years of experience at creative agencies. With a background in strategy, design, engineering, and marketing, Aaron has worked extensively in industries like media, entertainment, gaming, food & beverage, fashion, and technology. At Mod Op, Aaron leads efforts to integrate AI into creative processes, creating tools that connect creatives and clients with insights, spark ideas, and enable new brand experiences. Projects include collaborations with companies like NBCUniversal, Bethesda Softworks, Under Armour, Planet Fitness, Dietz & Watson, and more, focusing on infusing creative strategies with innovative technology to create cutting-edge brand experiences.
About Tessa Burg:
Tessa is the Chief Technology Officer at Mod Op and Host of the Leader Generation podcast. She has led both technology and marketing teams for 15+ years. Tessa initiated and now leads Mod Op's AI/ML Pilot Team, AI Council and Innovation Pipeline. She started her career in IT and development before following her love for data and strategy into digital marketing. Tessa has held roles on both the consulting and client sides of the business for domestic and international brands, including American Greetings, Amazon, Nestlé, Anlene, Moen and many more. Tessa can be reached on LinkedIn or at [email protected].
 

Paul Kelly, CEO of A Million Ads (AMA), joins us to explore the rapidly evolving world of personalized audio advertising. 
Paul shares how AI is revolutionizing audio marketing, turning what was once a branding channel into a performance-driven powerhouse. He also talks about AMA’s Studio.AI tool that allows marketers to deliver hyper-personalized, dynamic audio ads at scale.
Hear why podcasting, streaming audio and even audiobooks are becoming critical components of a media mix. Plus, discover how AI-driven tools can unlock new opportunities to reach diverse, fragmented audiences with messages tailored to location, time and behavior.
Leader Generation is hosted by Tessa Burg and brought to you by Mod Op. 
About Paul Kelly:
Paul Kelly is the CEO of A Million Ads (AMA). AMA is the leader in Dynamic Creative for audio, delivering customized, data-driven, dynamic ads on the world's largest audio platforms. Using any combination of contextual and audience-level data, AMA dynamically serves the most relevant and actionable ad to each listener. 
 
About Tessa Burg:
Tessa is the Chief Technology Officer at Mod Op and Host of the Leader Generation podcast. She has led both technology and marketing teams for 15+ years. Tessa initiated and now leads Mod Op's AI/ML Pilot Team, AI Council and Innovation Pipeline. She started her career in IT and development before following her love for data and strategy into digital marketing. Tessa has held roles on both the consulting and client sides of the business for domestic and international brands, including American Greetings, Amazon, Nestlé, Anlene, Moen and many more. Tessa can be reached on LinkedIn or at [email protected].

In this episode of Leader Generation, Tessa Burg and Cheryl Boehm take listeners on a journey through the podcast’s past, present and future. 
Reflecting on its beginnings in 2019, they share how the series evolved from a biweekly exploration of rapid testing to its current role as a hub for insights, innovation and client-driven learning. Cheryl recounts how the podcast has grown beyond its initial vision, now touching on cutting-edge topics like artificial intelligence and its transformative impact on businesses.
The episode also introduces the exciting launch of the AI Playground, a new initiative designed to demystify AI tools and applications. Through candid conversations, Cheryl and Tessa explore the benefits of testing AI in controlled environments, the importance of responsible use and how this initiative empowers clients and teams to work smarter. 
Whether you're new to the series or a long-time listener, this episode delivers practical takeaways, a fresh perspective on innovation and a behind-the-scenes look at how Leader Generation continues to grow.
Leader Generation is hosted by Tessa Burg and brought to you by Mod Op. For an executive guide to growth and transformation, check out our book Getting Digital Done, now available on Amazon.
 
About Cheryl Boehm:
Cheryl Boehm is a digital content writer with 25+ years of marketing experience, primarily in B2B. She strives to deliver the best online experiences to customers and prospects that, ultimately, lead to company growth for clients. She stubbornly insists there’s no single messaging approach that’s right for everyone. Period. So, in her role as Director of Copywriting at Mod Op, Cheryl pushes to personalize content strategy with an individual “cheat code” that empowers each client to reach their end game fastest.
 
About Tessa Burg:
Tessa is the Chief Technology Officer at Mod Op and Host of the Leader Generation podcast. She has led both technology and marketing teams for 15+ years. Tessa initiated and now leads Mod Op's AI/ML Pilot Team, AI Council and Innovation Pipeline. She started her career in IT and development before following her love for data and strategy into digital marketing. Tessa has held roles on both the consulting and client sides of the business for domestic and international brands, including American Greetings, Amazon, Nestlé, Anlene, Moen and many more. Tessa can be reached on LinkedIn or at [email protected].

How can AI improve your team’s productivity and creativity? In this episode of the Leader Generation podcast, host Tessa Burg welcomes Colleen Malloy, CMO of Brunswick Companies.
Together, they explore how AI agents are reshaping the future of marketing and empowering teams to work smarter. Colleen shares her journey of building an agentic workforce, where AI agents streamline tasks, boost productivity and unlock new levels of creativity. 
Listeners will gain practical ways to introduce AI into their organization, overcome fears of new technology and maximize AI's potential in marketing. It’s perfect for leaders ready to innovate and increase their teams' performance.
Leader Generation is hosted by Tessa Burg and brought to you by Mod Op. For an executive guide to growth and transformation, check out our book Getting Digital Done, now available on Amazon.
About Colleen Malloy:
Colleen Malloy is the Chief Marketing Officer at Brunswick Companies, where she leads AI adoption initiatives and drives strategic growth through data-driven marketing. With more than 20 years of experience in technology optimization, SEO, content marketing and brand strategy, Colleen has a proven track record of using innovative tools to create impactful strategies. Prior to Brunswick Companies, Colleen held leadership roles at Fathom, StackSource and Design Milk Co., where she was known for championing high-performing teams and optimizing marketing tech stacks.
About Tessa Burg:
Tessa is the Chief Technology Officer at Mod Op and Host of the Leader Generation podcast. She has led both technology and marketing teams for 15+ years. Tessa initiated and now leads Mod Op's AI/ML Pilot Team, AI Council and Innovation Pipeline. She started her career in IT and development before following her love for data and strategy into digital marketing. Tessa has held roles on both the consulting and client sides of the business for domestic and international brands, including American Greetings, Amazon, Nestlé, Anlene, Moen and many more. Tessa can be reached on LinkedIn or at [email protected].

Responsible AI use isn’t just an option—it’s a necessity. In this episode of Leader Generation, Monica Richter, Mod Op’s strategic advisor and former Chief Data Officer, talks about how a strong AI policy helps protect brands, builds client trust and encourages innovation. 
Monica uses real-world insights to explain why responsible AI matters, how to define ethical standards for your organization and the steps every leader should take to ensure AI is used wisely. 
Leader Generation is hosted by Tessa Burg and brought to you by Mod Op. For an executive guide to growth and transformation, check out our book Getting Digital Done, now available on Amazon.
About Monica Richter:
Monica Richter is an Executive in Residence at Mod Op Strategic Consulting, a corporate and nonprofit Board Advisor, Trustee and transformation consultant. With over 25 years of leadership experience, she now specializes in advising on strategy, business pivots, data-driven growth, analytical excellence, and innovation via technology and collaboration. She thrives on change, learning and inclusive leadership.
About Tessa Burg:
Tessa is the Chief Technology Officer at Mod Op and Host of the Leader Generation podcast. She has led both technology and marketing teams for 15+ years. Tessa initiated and now leads Mod Op's AI/ML Pilot Team, AI Council and Innovation Pipeline. She started her career in IT and development before following her love for data and strategy into digital marketing. Tessa has held roles on both the consulting and client sides of the business for domestic and international brands, including American Greetings, Amazon, Nestlé, Anlene, Moen and many more. Tessa can be reached on LinkedIn or at [email protected].