Author: The CIO Excellence

From a young age, I’ve always been captivated by emerging technologies and their potential to drive positive change in society. At 24, I channelled this curiosity into founding a tech company that connected contingent workers with job opportunities. After selling the company three years later, I realized how technology could be harnessed to solve complex challenges. My academic journey, including a law degree from The Hebrew University, an MBA, and a Masters in Risk Management from NYU Stern, further deepened my understanding of the intersection between technology and its societal impact, particularly in navigating ethical and operational challenges in AI.

A pivotal moment in my career came when I worked on global AI policies and collaborated with a diverse group of experts. It reaffirmed my belief in the importance of responsible technology and strengthened my resolve to guide AI development in ways that benefit society.

From Tech Entrepreneur to HR Visionary

In my role as Chief Operating Officer at retrain.ai, I oversee several key areas, including Customer Success and Product Design. I’m committed to fostering a culture where innovation is balanced with responsibility. One of the initiatives I’m most proud of is integrating ethical guardrails into every stage of our product development process—from design to deployment. This ensures we proactively address potential biases and improve explain ability.

I’ve also introduced cross-functional teams early in the product cycle to bring together diverse perspectives, ensuring that our AI solutions are not only effective but also fair and transparent. This approach has strengthened our alignment with client goals and deepened our commitment to creating technology that drives meaningful, positive change in HR.

Key Moments and Ethical Responsibilities

I believe in a collaborative leadership style rooted in active listening. I’ve seen first-hand that the best decisions come from considering diverse perspectives and creating an environment where every voice is heard. This approach has helped foster a culture of innovation, boosted team morale, and aligned our objectives with the company’s broader goals. The result has been increased creativity, improved collaboration, and higher team performance.

Leading Retrain.ai: A Vision for Ethical Innovation

At retrain.ai, we sit at the intersection of AI, HR, and Ethics, setting us apart in the competitive HR tech market. It’s not just our cutting-edge technology that differentiates us, but our unwavering commitment to creating responsible solutions that enhance hiring, retention, and talent development. In an industry often focused on speed, we prioritize fairness and accountability, empowering HR leaders to make informed, bias-conscious decisions. This ethical commitment has earned us the trust of our clients and solidified our role as a trusted partner in the evolving HR tech space.

Leadership Style: Collaboration, Feedback, and Innovation

Integrity, innovation, and accountability are the core values that drive us. We ensure these principles are reflected in our day-to-day operations by creating a feedback-rich environment and upholding transparency in decision-making. Regular ethics evaluations guide our projects and partnerships, ensuring we stay aligned with our values. This approach builds trust within our teams and with our clients, ensuring we consistently deliver on our promises while upholding the highest ethical standards.

Standing Out in the Competitive HR Tech Market

One exciting trend in HR tech is the rise of skills intelligence—using data to gain a deeper understanding of workforce capabilities. With the growing demand for specialized skills, companies are looking for smarter ways to match talent to roles. At retrain.ai, we’re positioning ourselves as leaders by developing AI solutions that provide valuable insights into workforce skills and future needs. This data-driven approach helps companies hire faster, develop talent smarter, and operate more efficiently, all while maintaining fairness and transparency in the process.

Core Values: Integrity, Innovation, and Accountability

We’re proactive about product development, constantly refining our offerings by integrating user feedback and investing in research and development. By staying ahead of the curve in AI and data science, we ensure our solutions meet current needs and anticipate future challenges. This forward-thinking approach enables us to deliver innovative solutions that make a real difference for our clients.

Emerging Trends in HR Technology: Skills Intelligence

One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced has been balancing the rapid pace of technological advancements with the ethical considerations of AI. To navigate this, I built a team of experts in ethics, law, and technology to guide our decisions and ensure we remain aligned with our commitment to responsible AI development. This multi-disciplinary approach has been crucial in addressing the complex challenges of developing AI that is both innovative and ethical.

Advocating for Diversity and Inclusion

We’re committed to diversity and inclusion at retrain.ai, with nearly 50% of our workforce being female, many of whom hold technical roles. Our diversity-focused recruitment and mentorship programs, along with my personal mentoring of young people from underserved communities, help cultivate an inclusive industry and workforce. These efforts are essential to fostering an inclusive culture and expanding the pipeline of diverse talent in the HR tech space.

A Vision for the Future

In the short term, retrain.ai is focused on expanding our impact in HR by offering ethical AI solutions that help companies build transparent and effective talent strategies. In the long term, we aim to set the standard for responsible AI in HR, creating benchmarks that will guide the industry toward more ethical and effective practices. Personally, I hope to continue contributing to these goals while advocating for innovation and implementing appropriate risk management for AI-driven HR practices.

A Philosophy for Leading Change

The philosophy that guides my work and leadership is: “Think big, push boundaries, drive real change. Strive for excellence, and don’t take ‘no’ for an answer.” This mind-set inspires me to lead with ambition while remaining collaborative. I encourage my team to challenge the status quo and contribute meaningfully to our collective success. Together, we elevate our goals and celebrate every achievement along the way, knowing that success is a shared journey.

Quotes:

“Think big, push boundaries, drive change.”

“Active listening fuels the best decisions.”

“Innovation is about fairness and impact.”

“Success is about elevating goals, not just meeting them.”

“Responsible AI requires integrity and collaboration.”

“Fairness and accountability set us apart.”

When Ursula Dyer Lepporoli boarded a plane from the United States to Australia in 2005, she wasn’t chasing a partnership title or a tax career. She was chasing curiosity. The young international student, newly enrolled in a Master’s degree in Commerce with a specialisation in Banking, had little idea that a part-time role would launch a twenty-year journey inside one of the world’s most respected professional services firms — and transform her into a leading voice in the global mobility and taxation arena.

Two decades later, as a Partner at KPMG Australia, Ursula stands at the intersection of technical excellence and human connection. Her story isn’t one of linear ambition but of evolution — proof that purpose, adaptability, and authenticity can craft a career that succeeds in the boardroom while leaving a tangible imprint on society.

The Accidental Expat

Ursula’s introduction to the world of tax wasn’t planned; it was serendipity that shaped her professional DNA. On arriving in Sydney, she took a part-time role with KPMG’s Global Mobility Services team as a junior tax preparer — a decision made for the moment that became the cornerstone of her life’s work.

“I didn’t board the plane with any intention to become an expat myself,” she reflects, “but joining a team where my accent was an asset eased me into what has become a fulfilling adult life lived abroad.”

It’s a quiet irony that the woman helping others navigate cross-border complexities would herself become a living embodiment of global mobility. Her journey from intern to partner is a story of continuous learning, built on the belief that tax — often dismissed as tedious — can, in fact, be transformative.

“I’ve worked through all the ranks from intern to partner,” she says with characteristic humility. “Across three cities and a brief stint in India before I had my son, I’ve never been bored.”

Today, she serves as KPMG’s Tax and Legal Lead for Victoria while also heading the firm’s Global Mobility practice in Melbourne. Her days demand equal parts intellect and empathy — a blend that has become her hallmark.

The Human Blueprint Behind Leadership

Ursula’s leadership philosophy isn’t drawn from management textbooks but from lived experience and self-awareness. When she moved to Melbourne to lead the local [Ursula Dy1] KPMG’s Global Mobility advisory practice in 2022, she built what she calls her “personal operating manual” — a thoughtful framework outlining how she works, communicates, and connects.

“I’m an early bird,” she explains. “I’m usually awake around 5 a.m. and I use that time for journaling, exercise, and meditation. After my son heads off to school, I check LinkedIn and emails to see what’s urgent. Then I plan my energy for the day.”

Her approach blends structure with mindfulness — not as buzzwords but as practical tools for navigating a high-pressure corporate world. Growing up in the United States taught her the value of directness. “I’m a genuine extrovert, so no one in my team is left guessing what’s on my mind,” she says. “But I also understand that assertiveness doesn’t work for everyone. I adjust my style to fit the space — to achieve maximum effectiveness.”

That empathy runs deep. She’s well known for her monthly walk-and-talk sessions with team members — informal check-ins that move beyond project updates to uncover personal motivations. “We often hear, ‘Bring your whole self to work.’ For me, that means understanding why my colleagues come to work so we can give them more of what inspires them to learn and grow.”

In a world that prizes efficiency, Ursula’s leadership slows things down to make room for listening. Colleagues describe her as energetic, passionate, empathetic, and practical — a combination that turns a complex field into a space for curiosity and connection.

Making Tax Engaging — and Surprisingly Fun

Making tax engaging is a professional challenge Ursula suits up for every day — and she’s turned it into an art form. Her passion for the subject is both intellectual and creative, reshaping how people connect with a topic often seen as technical or inaccessible.

Her pride and joy is her monthly newsletter, Mobility Matters: Breaking Down the Big Moments in Global Mobility. What began as a simple way to share insights has grown into a community of more than 4,000 subscribers. Each edition distills complex tax and mobility topics into clear, relatable ideas. One standout piece — The Truth About Work from Anywhere — caught the attention of LinkedIn’s U.S. editors, earning a spot among the platform’s Top 10 highlights.

“I enjoy digging deeper while keeping the information relevant and relatable to those who wouldn’t normally enjoy reading about tax,” she says. Her success proves that technical expertise doesn’t have to alienate; it can enlighten when delivered with humanity and humor.

Ursula was also named a LinkedIn Top Voice for her thought leadership on enabling talent movement through tax — recognition that speaks not only to her expertise but to her authenticity. “I prefer to write every word myself — for me, the joy lies in the human connection that writing creates,” she says.

Her influence extends beyond digital platforms. She’s the driving force behind Melbourne’s Mobility Meetup, a vibrant forum where professionals in tax, HR, and mobility exchange ideas and build community. For Ursula, these gatherings aren’t just about networking; they’re about belonging.

Balancing Motherhood and Ambition

Behind Ursula’s poised leadership lies a deeply human truth shared by many professional women — the delicate balance between motherhood and ambition. She speaks of it candidly, not as a corporate executive but as a woman who has made difficult, deliberate choices.

“One of my biggest challenges was deciding if, when, and how many kids to have,” she says. “Women don’t have a choice about facing time outside the office if they choose to start a family. Selecting when to take the plunge was a hard decision.”

Her gratitude toward her husband is heartfelt. “I’m very grateful that my husband stopped working for many years so I could return to my career. We made a conscious decision to have one child. It’s the best and hardest job being a mother. I love having a career and my son.”

It’s a reflection of Ursula’s wider worldview — one that values empathy, gratitude, and respect for diverse paths. “I’m also respectful and occasionally envious of those who’ve chosen or been forced down a different path,” she admits with rare honesty.

Building the Future of Global Mobility

For Ursula, the future of global mobility will hinge on a careful balance between automation and trust. “We’re already in the age of real-time reporting,” she notes. “The car is only accelerating, and it will drive more automation of tax.”

Yet technology, she emphasizes, will not replace advisors — it will redefine their purpose. “There will always be a role for advisors as we support clients in transforming to meet new demands,” she says. “We must continue to build the trust the market demands in a future where truth in tax cannot be subjective.”

While technology reshapes tax, Ursula is equally focused on another transformation — sustainability.

Sustainability in Motion

She is acutely aware of the environmental footprint of the industry she helps shape. “It’s an undeniable truth that moving people around the world takes a toll on the environment,” she says. Rather than merely acknowledge the issue, she’s acted on it.

Together with her co-conspirator Keryn Mendes and Global Mobility Lead – APAC, Japan & India, Ursula co-created the Environmentally Sustainable Future for Global Mobility initiative — a pioneering collaboration that connected industry leaders with Monash University students to reimagine mobility with sustainability at its core. The winning team presented their concept at the Forum for Expatriate Management (FEM) in London and later appeared on the U.S. podcast LOVE + RELO, hosted by Ben Cross.

This intersection of corporate leadership, education, and sustainability perfectly captures Ursula’s ethos: meaningful change begins with curiosity and collaboration.

Changemaker in Action

Recognition has followed Ursula not because she pursued it, but because her work amplifies others. In October 2024, she became the inaugural recipient of KPMG’s Changemaker Award for community engagement and impact — presented by the Hon. Julia Gillard AC, former Prime Minister of Australia.

Ursula’s impact extends far beyond the boardroom. Her leadership has shaped major organisations across Australia, from the Royal Women’s Hospital to the Victorian Governor’s Leadership Council. She also previously served on the board of Multicultural Arts Victoria, where she contributed her expertise to strengthen cultural representation and community arts initiatives before stepping down in May.

Through her role Victoria Tax & Legal Lead, she also supports initiatives like Meals with Impact and regularly speaks at events such as Black Wealth Connect. Nextgen Unite, on the other hand, is an organisation where she currently serves as the Board Chair, championing the next generation of diverse leadership.

Her influence flows naturally between corporate and community spaces — a rare alchemy of intellect and empathy. “I’m happy to give back to the communities I feel connected to — including women, the West of Melbourne, and culturally diverse humans,” she says. Her actions make that statement tangible.

Navigating the Fragile Future

Asked about the greatest challenge facing her industry, Ursula distills it to a single word: movement. “The challenge for global mobility lies within the name,” she says. “The pandemic showed us what restricted movement looks like — and it wasn’t great for business.”

Open borders and fair tax systems, she believes, are the twin pillars of a thriving global workforce. “Globalisation isn’t dead,” she insists. “We just have to keep working at the fragile concept to improve its fair and kind application.”

Her optimism is grounded in realism. The world isn’t becoming more predictable — and that, she argues, is precisely why human expertise remains invaluable. “Our team and the clients we work with must continue to find agile ways of working. That’s the challenge I love — using curiosity and expertise to forge novel answers.”

No Regrets, Only Momentum

If she could change anything about her career, Ursula’s answer is pragmatic and poetic: “I’m not big on regrets. I’m grateful for all the twists and turns that have gotten me to where I am now.” Perhaps, she adds with a laugh, a bit more international travel — “you know, practice what you preach.”

Her favorite quote captures her energy perfectly: “Get busy living or get busy dying.” For Ursula, every day is a conscious choice — a reminder that progress, in life or tax, is built moment by moment. “Every moment is an opportunity to see the glass half full and go for it,” she says. “The goal will change over time, but your enthusiasm for moving forward shouldn’t.”

Legacy in Motion

There’s a quiet strength to Ursula Dyer Lepporoli — not the kind that shouts, but the kind that steadies. Her twenty-year journey at KPMG isn’t just a story of career ascent; it’s a study in integrity, curiosity, and human leadership. She stands as both a guide and a participant in a rapidly changing world, where the boundaries between work, community, and identity continue to blur.

For Ursula, movement has never simply meant crossing borders — it has meant expanding the human capacity for understanding. Her story reminds us that leadership isn’t about holding ground; it’s about moving — minds, systems, and people — toward something better. And in that movement, Ursula continues to build a legacy that proves tax can be more than compliance; it can be connection.

In today’s rapidly evolving business environment, organizations increasingly recognize that their greatest asset is their people. Few leaders understand this better than Nicole Martin, the Founder and Chief Empowerment Officer of HRBoost, LLC. Through her visionary leadership and deep expertise in human resources, Nicole has dedicated her career to helping organizations build stronger cultures, empower their workforce, and achieve sustainable growth.

With decades of experience in human capital management and organizational strategy, Nicole Martin has positioned herself as a trusted advisor to businesses seeking to transform their workplace culture and strengthen their HR foundations.

A Mission Rooted in Empowerment

Nicole Martin’s professional journey is driven by a clear and powerful mission: empowering organizations through effective people’s strategies. Early in her career, she recognized that many businesses, particularly growing and mid-sized companies, often struggle to manage human resources effectively while focusing on scaling their operations.

This realization inspired her to establish HRBoost, LLC, a firm dedicated to providing strategic HR consulting and outsourced human resources services. Through this venture, Nicole created a platform where businesses could access expert guidance in navigating complex HR challenges while fostering healthier workplace cultures.

Her role as Chief Empowerment Officer reflects her philosophy that HR is not simply an administrative function it is a powerful driver of organizational success.

Building HRBoost: A Strategic HR Partner

Under Nicole Martin’s leadership, HRBoost, LLC has grown into a respected HR consulting organization that helps businesses align their people’s strategies with their broader business objectives.

The firm provides a wide range of services, including:

• Strategic HR consulting and workforce planning
• Compliance and risk management guidance
• Talent acquisition and leadership development
• Organizational culture transformation
• HR outsourcing and advisory services

By offering tailored solutions, HRBoost helps companies address complex HR issues while building strong internal systems that support growth and long-term success.

Nicole’s leadership has also led to the expansion of HRBoost into a franchise model, enabling the organization’s impact to reach more businesses across multiple regions.

A Leader in the HR Community

Beyond her work as a founder and entrepreneur, Nicole Martin is widely recognized as a thought leader in the HR industry. Through speaking engagements, mentorship, and professional initiatives, she advocates progressive workplace practices that emphasize employee engagement, diversity, and leadership development.

Her approach combines strategic insight with practical solutions, helping organizations translate HR theory into actionable strategies that drive measurable results.

Nicole also maintains an active presence in the professional community, sharing insights on leadership, workplace culture, and human capital management with a broad audience of business leaders and HR professionals.

Education and Leadership Development

Continuous learning has played a significant role in Nicole Martin’s professional journey. Her participation in programs such as Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses reflects her commitment to strengthening both her leadership capabilities and her organization’s growth strategy.

This experience further reinforced her ability to scale businesses, build sustainable operations, and support other entrepreneurs navigating similar growth challenges.

By combining formal education, practical experience, and entrepreneurial insight, Nicole continues to expand her impact across the HR and business communities.

Championing Workplace Culture and Leadership

One of Nicole Martin’s key contributions to the HR industry is her focus on workplace culture as a strategic asset. She believes that organizations succeed when they create environments where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to contribute their best work.

Through HRBoost, LLC, she helps organizations implement people-first policies that strengthen employee engagement, improve retention, and enhance overall productivity.

Her work also emphasizes leadership development, encouraging executives and managers to cultivate inclusive, transparent, and collaborative workplace cultures.

Vision for the Future of Human Resources

Looking ahead, Nicole Martin sees the HR industry continuing to evolve in response to changing workforce expectations, technological advancements, and shifting organizational structures.

Key trends she highlights include:

• Greater emphasis on employee well-being and mental health
• Data-driven HR decision-making
• Flexible and hybrid work models
• Leadership strategies that prioritize empathy and inclusion

Nicole believes that HR professionals will play an increasingly strategic role in shaping organizational success, helping companies adapt to new workforce dynamics while maintaining strong corporate cultures.

A Legacy of Empowerment

Nicole Martin’s career exemplifies the transformative impact of people-centered leadership. Through her work with HRBoost, LLC, she has helped numerous organizations navigate HR complexities while building workplaces that empower employees and drive performance.

Her dedication to empowerment, innovation, and strategic HR leadership continues to inspire businesses and professionals alike. As organizations place greater emphasis on human capital, leaders like Nicole Martin will remain instrumental in shaping the future of work.

In an era where technology is reshaping every sector, higher education institutions are facing the urgent need to transform the way they teach, learn, and conduct research. At the forefront of this transformation is Melissa Hortman, Ed.D., a recognized leader in academic innovation and digital transformation who is helping universities harness the power of technology to build more resilient and future-ready education systems.

With a career spanning higher education leadership, instructional technology, and digital strategy, Dr. Hortman has dedicated her work to empowering educators, improving student success, and driving meaningful technological advancement across academic institutions.

A Career Rooted in Educational Transformation

Melissa Hortman’s professional journey reflects a deep commitment to advancing higher education through innovation and collaboration. Before entering the technology sector, she spent more than a decade working in higher education institutions, where she focused on student success initiatives, academic innovation, and institutional transformation.

Her work during this time included leadership roles in instructional technology and digital learning strategies, where she helped institutions integrate emerging technologies into teaching and research environments. By supporting faculty members and academic leaders, she played a key role in improving learning experiences and expanding access to digital education tools.

These early experiences shaped her belief that technology must serve as a catalyst for educational progress rather than simply a supporting tool.

Bridging Academia and Technology

Today, Dr. Hortman continues to influence the future of education through her work with Microsoft, where she serves as a higher education account executive supporting colleges, universities, and technical institutions. Her role focuses on helping institutions adopt innovative technologies that enhance learning environments and accelerate academic research.

Since joining Microsoft, she has been involved in initiatives that support digital transformation in higher education, including the adoption of artificial intelligence tools, cloud technologies, and advanced collaboration platforms. These efforts are aimed at empowering educators, improving operational efficiency, and creating more inclusive learning experiences.

Her work emphasizes the importance of breaking down barriers to accessibility and ensuring that technology enhances opportunities for students and faculty alike.

Championing Innovation in Education

Throughout her career, Dr. Hortman has demonstrated a strong commitment to fostering innovation within the academic ecosystem. She is passionate about helping faculty members experiment with new teaching methods and adopt emerging technologies that can improve student engagement.

Her philosophy is grounded in the belief that innovation thrives when educators are given the tools, resources, and freedom to explore new ideas. By encouraging experimentation and collaboration, she helps institutions remain agile in a rapidly evolving educational landscape.

Dr. Hortman also emphasizes the importance of resilience within academic institutions, particularly during times of disruption. By strengthening digital infrastructure and empowering faculty with new capabilities, she believes universities can better support students in both traditional and online learning environments.

The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Education

One of the most transformative developments in shaping higher education today is artificial intelligence. Dr. Hortman has been actively involved in exploring how AI can revolutionize teaching and learning.

She highlights the potential of AI-driven tools to personalize education, automate administrative tasks, and provide deeper insights into student performance. These technologies can help institutions create more adaptive learning environments that respond to the needs of individual learners.

At the same time, she advocates for responsible and ethical adoption of AI, ensuring that educational institutions implement these technologies in ways that promote fairness, accessibility, and transparency.

Leadership Through Collaboration and Vision

Melissa Hortman’s leadership style is defined by collaboration, strategic thinking, and a commitment to continuous learning. She believes that meaningful transformation occurs when institutions bring together educators, technologists, researchers, and administrators to work toward a shared vision.

Her work frequently involves building partnerships across universities, research institutions, and technology organizations. By connecting these communities, she helps create ecosystems where knowledge, technology, and innovation can flourish.

In addition to her professional responsibilities, Dr. Hortman regularly participates in conferences, workshops, and knowledge-sharing initiatives that promote innovation in education.

A Vision for the Future of Higher Education

Looking ahead, Dr. Hortman believes that the future of higher education will be defined by adaptability and collaboration. Digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and data analytics will continue to reshape the academic landscape, enabling institutions to deliver more personalized and effective learning experiences.

However, she emphasizes that successful transformation requires more than technology alone. Institutions must also foster cultures of innovation, empower faculty members, and ensure that students remain at the center of every technological advancement.

Her long-term vision is to help create an educational ecosystem where technology enhances accessibility, supports lifelong learning, and enables institutions to respond effectively to global challenges.

Empowering the Next Generation

At the heart of Dr. Hortman’s work is a strong belief in the power of education to shape the future. By empowering educators with innovative tools and strategies, she aims to help institutions prepare students for the challenges and opportunities of the digital age.

Her efforts continue to inspire educators, technologists, and academic leaders who share a common goal: building a stronger, more inclusive, and more innovative future for higher education.