Welcome to the world of human intelligence. Chief Change Officer is a Global Top 3% podcast on Listen Notes, ranked #1 in Careers and Top 30 in Business in the ...
From Wall Street to What’s Next: Katie Curry on Risk and Reinvention
Katie Curry isn’t just fluent in the language of risk; she’s turned it into an art form.
From Bulgaria to Wall Street, from crunching derivatives to leading creatives, Katie’s journey is a masterclass in calculated reinvention. Whether managing teams of credit analysts, upskilling fresh graduates, or inspiring her kids to “witness the magic of spreadsheets” during COVID, Katie shows how resilience is more than just a buzzword—it’s a career superpower.
She dives into the delicate dance between logic and intuition, embracing curiosity and even a little magic along the way. For Katie, success isn’t about climbing a ladder—it’s about hiking trails, salsa dancing, and leading with humility while creating impact. With a passion for mentoring and a knack for turning failures into growth opportunities, Katie redefines leadership as a long game of learning, laughter, and post-traumatic growth.
This episode is packed with nuggets on pivoting with purpose, embracing risk, and, most importantly, making resilience look like a fine art. Whether you’re navigating Wall Street or your own career crossroads, Katie’s insights will leave you inspired (and maybe a little braver).
Key Highlights of Our Interview:
From Small Town Dreams to the Big Apple
“I grew up in a small town in Bulgaria during communism. My first big transformation was coming to the United States. Traveling through New York City’s financial district, I thought, ‘One day, I’d love to work here.’”
Risk as a Career Compass
“Risk is the theme of my career—understanding it, quantifying it, and mitigating it. But it’s also about taking risks and seizing opportunities.”
Mental Toughness Through Change
“Change can be nerve-wracking, but I’ve learned to approach it with excitement instead of fear. It’s like lifting weights—you don’t just maintain, you grow stronger to tackle even bigger challenges.”
The Joy of Discovery
“With age and experience, I’ve learned to pursue paths less mapped out, finding joy in the unknown and seeing reinvention as a journey of discovery.”
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Connect with us:
Host: Vince Chan | Guest: Katie Curry
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Chief Change Officer: Make Change Ambitiously.
Experiential Human Intelligence for Growth Progressives
Global Top 3% Podcast on Listen Notes
World's #1 Career Podcast on Apple
Top 1: US, CA, MX, IE, HU, AT, CH, FI, JP
3+ Millions Downloads
80+ Countries
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22:50
From Parliament to Parenthood: Tin Pei Ling On Balancing Change and Leadership
In this episode, Tin Pei Ling from Singapore unpacks her remarkable journey as a young parliamentarian, MBA graduate, and mother.
She shares how the three-stage change model—unfreeze, adapt, refreeze—became her blueprint for navigating personal and professional transitions. With candid reflections on balancing leadership and life, she highlights the trade-offs and support systems that made it all possible.
From advocating for women’s empowerment to tackling mental health and aging population challenges, Tin’s work embodies resilience and action. Drawing inspiration from Lee Kuan Yew’s leadership principles and her own belief in the power of regret as a driver for growth, she emphasizes the importance of stories, books, and meaningful connections in shaping a better future.
Key Highlights of Our Interview:
The Three-Stage Change Model
“Change begins with unfreezing—understanding the need and motivation to move forward. But it’s in the second stage, where you think like a social psychologist, that you navigate the hardest part: adapting yourself and your environment. And finally, in refreezing, you solidify the new behaviors and build a foundation for sustainable growth.”
The Power of an MBA Journey
“Pursuing an MBA at a young age gave me a platform to learn from peers with diverse experiences. It wasn’t just the coursework, but the exposure to different perspectives that built the momentum for lifelong learning and growth.”
Advocating for Women’s Aspirations
“Balancing multiple roles isn’t easy, especially for women. My journey as a working mother has inspired me to advocate for better support systems, so women can pursue their dreams without sacrificing their personal or professional growth.”
Balancing Leadership and Motherhood
“There’s no such thing as perfect balance—there are always trade-offs. As a mother, an elected member of parliament, and a full-time professional, I’ve faced moments of guilt, like missing my son’s rapid growth during a general election. But with an ecosystem of support, I’ve managed to fulfill my roles and give back to my community.”
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Connect with us:
Host: Vince Chan | Guest: Tin Pei Ling
______________________
Chief Change Officer: Make Change Ambitiously.
Experiential Human Intelligence for Growth Progressives
Global Top 3% Podcast on Listen Notes
World's #1 Career Podcast on Apple
Top 1: US, CA, MX, IE, HU, AT, CH, FI, JP
3+ Millions Downloads
80+ Countries
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22:26
Connecting the Dots: Ian Myers on Finding Brilliant Global Talent for America
In this episode, I chat with Ian Myers, founder and CEO of Oceans, a talent agency bridging skilled professionals in Sri Lanka with U.S. companies.
Ian’s impressive journey includes scaling his business from zero to $10 million in under two years, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
A fellow Tintin enthusiast, Ian’s career has been an adventure in itself—spanning the U.S., Japan, literature, banking, venture capital, entrepreneurship, and gaming. His mantra? Follow your gut, embrace experiences, adapt, and keep moving forward.
Key Highlights of Our Interview:
Why Tintin Beats Tech Titans: Ian’s Unconventional Role Model
“My role model is Tintin. He’s always up for an adventure, exploring new places, and embracing different cultures. That’s the kind of life I want to live.”
Zen and the Art of Leadership: How Buddhism Shaped My Approach to Chaos
“Buddhism has a lot of excellent teachings that are applicable to running a business… It’s at its core, a method of grounding yourself through honesty in your reality and the potential of everything around you.”
Comparison Anxiety: Why Scrolling LinkedIn Might Be Ruining Your Life
“I talk to young people today, and they’re always comparing themselves. They’ll say, ‘Oh, this person who went to my college is now a vice president. My life is ruined.’ I’ve never really worried about my career; I just follow what’s interesting.”
Experiencing Ageism Across Cultures: From Japan to CEO at 26
“In Japan, age almost becomes the most important thing about you—your track record and success play a much smaller role. That was something I couldn’t personally tolerate.”
Skeptical by Nature: Why Ian Questions AI Hype
“The technology is impressive and important, but like most great innovations, the adoption curve will likely be much longer than people expect. If you look back at tech predictions, the timeline for changing the world is almost always too short.”
Connect with us:
Host: Vince Chan | Guest: Ian Myers
______________________
Chief Change Officer: Make Change Ambitiously.
Experiential Human Intelligence for Growth Progressives
Global Top 3% Podcast on Listen Notes
World's #1 Career Podcast on Apple
Top 1: US, CA, MX, IE, HU, AT, CH, FI, JP
3+ Millions Downloads
80+ Countries
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39:46
When Loyalty Meets Layoffs: Benedikt Oehmen’s Mission to Guide Others Through Career Challenges – Part One
Part One.
Layoffs and corporate shake-ups seem to be the norm these days, and Benedikt Oehmen has lived through it. After 17 years at Blizzard, known for its iconic gaming creations, he faced the unexpected reality of layoffs. While his time with Blizzard was largely rewarding, the ending was a difficult transition. Today, Benedikt is using his experience to support others in similar situations, sharing practical advice and his “Big Three” strategies from his book to help people overcome setbacks and thrive again.
Key Highlights of Our Interview:
From Physicist to Gamer at Blizzard
From 17 Years of Loyalty to Facing Layoffs: When Blizzard Prioritized Profit Over People
“I started with Blizzard in 2005, and by 2018, after 13 years, the focus had shifted from creating epic experiences for gamers to just making more money.”
Breaking Free from the Corporate Overlord: Coaching Passionate Geeks on Their Own Terms
“Bound to a corporate overlord who tells me what to do and where my priorities are. And all my efforts basically go towards making rich people even richer in a sense."
From Panic to Possibility: How to Flip Career Transitions into Exciting New Opportunities
Learning in Disguise: How the “Big Three” Turns Mistakes into Milestones
“Being kind to me is all about self-acceptance, embracing the good things in our life and not looking at what we think we are missing.”
Connect with us:
Host: Vince Chan | Guest: Benedikt Oehmen
______________________
Chief Change Officer: Make Change Ambitiously.
Experiential Human Intelligence for Growth Progressives
Global Top 3% Podcast on Listen Notes
World's #1 Career Podcast on Apple
Top 1: US, CA, MX, IE, HU, AT, CH, FI, JP
3+ Millions Downloads
80+ Countries
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30:10
Collin Plume: Navigating Life Transitions with People-First Financial Planning – Part Two
Part Two.
Once upon a time in LA, I worked at TCW Asset Management, managing billion-dollar bond funds with Jeffrey Gundlach, the “Bond King.” Today, I’m talking with someone who takes a different investment route—Collin Plume, an expert in precious metals.
This conversation isn’t about selling gold; it’s about tackling real-life challenges like family finance, retirement planning, and raising financially savvy kids. If you’re navigating any of these areas, Collin’s insights and inspiring journey will give you plenty to think about.
Part 2 of a 2-part series on Collin’s people-first approach to building financial security.
Key Highlights of Our Interview:
Gold, Real Estate, and Learning New Tricks: Why Diversifying is the New Smart
“Be willing to learn about a new investment or a new strategy every year, whether you decide to do it or not. But I think being willing to learn about it is important. It will help you and it’ll keep you sharp.”
Beware of Finfluencer Hype: Not Everything That Shines Is Gold
“Too often, people take influencers at face value, believing that the most engaging video equals the best advice. In reality, it’s important to fact-check and do your own research because many influencers are just paid promoters, not experts.”
Do Your Research: Don’t Let Algorithms Make Your Financial Decisions
“Algorithms don’t care if the advice is good; they only care if the content is appealing. So when it comes to financial decisions, it’s on you to dig deeper, check multiple sources, and make sure the influencers you follow are legit.”
The Real Cost of Reckless Spending: Teaching Financial Discipline to the Next Generation
“As a family, we prioritize experiences like travel and education over material goods. I’ve shown my children the gold and silver I’ve set aside for them and explained how these assets will be worth something significant in the future. Whether they want to start a business or pay for college, these investments will be there for them."
“I make sure my kids know that money isn’t something to be taken lightly. Whether it’s explaining mortgages to my 8-year-old or discussing the importance of not being wasteful with their toys, they need to understand that everything has a cost. I often use examples like Disneyland—where you can easily spend thousands in just a few days."
Connect with us:
Host: Vince Chan | Guest: Collin Plume
______________________
Chief Change Officer: Make Change Ambitiously.
Experiential Human Intelligence for Growth Progressives
Global Top 3% Podcast on Listen Notes
World's #1 Career Podcast on Apple
Top 1: US, CA, MX, IE, HU, AT, CH, FI, JP
3+ Millions Downloads
80+ Countries
Welcome to the world of human intelligence. Chief Change Officer is a Global Top 3% podcast on Listen Notes, ranked #1 in Careers and Top 30 in Business in the US on Apple Podcasts, and Global Top 10 in Careers in over 20 countries across America, Europe, and Asia Pacific
At Chief Change Officer, we harness change as a superpower. This power is fuelled by role models who candidly and generously share their human intelligence. This isn’t digitised knowledge or AI-generated advice; it’s real, time-tested, experience-driven intelligence that blends logic and love, art and science.
This show marks the 18th career transition for the host Vince Chan. Over the course of 17 prior transitions, countless role models have guided and inspired me. At critical junctions, no matter how lost or despaired I felt, I emerged stronger, better, and happier. Now, I’m here to pass that superpower on to you, uniting global voices to become your role models for career and life transformation.
If you’re a growth progressive, a black horse, someone who doesn’t fit the conventional mold and is determined to create your own life and career playbook—this is for you. Our mission is to help you become wiser in action, clearer in thought, and more ambitious in pursuing the change you seek. If this resonates, then you are a Chief Change Officer.
MAKE CHANGE WITH US at @chiefchangeofficer on Linkedin, Apple, Spotify and Youtube.