The Iteration Lab

Dave Gillespie - How Banks Modernize Systems at Scale

In the Season Finale of The Iteration Lab, Mike Corbett sits down with Dave Gillespie, Executive Vice President of Infrastructure & Modernization at CIBC, to explore the technology foundations that power modern banking. Dave shares lessons from a career spent operating and modernizing complex enterprise systems that support millions of transactions every day. From building resilient infrastructure to leading large engineering organizations, he reflects on what it takes to evolve critical platforms while maintaining the reliability that financial institutions demand. The conversation explores the realities of modernizing legacy systems, scaling technology across large organizations, and empowering teams to solve complex problems together. Dave also reflects on the mentors and experiences that shaped his leadership approach—from early technical roles to building high-performing teams responsible for some of the most important systems inside the bank. Beyond technology, Dave shares personal perspectives on leadership, community involvement, and how experiences outside of work - from volunteering to backcountry skiing - have shaped how he thinks about preparation, risk, and responsibility. This episode offers a thoughtful look at the people and systems behind modern banking - and the leadership required to support their evolution. About the Show The Iteration Lab explores how leaders are shaped by their history, their heroes, their heartbreaks, and their hopes. Hosted by Mike Corbett, each episode features candid conversations with business and technology leaders navigating complexity, change, and high-stakes decisions. Connect Learn more about Jarvis Consulting Group: https://www.jrvs.ca/ [https://www.jrvs.ca/] Watch full episodes and short-form content on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jarvisconsultinggroup [https://www.youtube.com/@jarvisconsultinggroup]

Bindhu Alvar Thiruvenkadathan - Why Leadership Is About Uplifting Others, Not Outpacing Them

In this episode of The Iteration Lab, Mike Corbett sits down with Bindhu Alvar Thiruvenkadathan, Chief Information Officer for BMO Wealth Management Technology, to explore a leadership philosophy grounded in education, inclusion, and community. Bindhu reflects on growing up in India with a single mother who believed deeply in the power of education and service, and how those early lessons shaped her approach to leadership. From transitioning from pure technologist to people-centered leader, to navigating moments where her voice wasn’t always heard, she shares how curiosity, courage, and empathy helped define her path. The conversation explores building inclusive teams, creating psychological safety, learning from failure, and why real progress comes from growing together - not racing ahead alone. Bindhu also reflects on the responsibility leaders carry to leave systems stronger for the next generation. This episode is a thoughtful examination of leadership shaped by history, values, and a deep commitment to uplifting others. About the Show The Iteration Lab explores how leaders are shaped by their history, their heroes, their heartbreaks, and their hopes. Hosted by Mike Corbett, each episode features candid conversations with business and technology leaders navigating complexity, change, and high-stakes decisions. Connect Learn more about Jarvis Consulting Group: https://www.jrvs.ca/ [https://www.jrvs.ca/] Watch full episodes and short-form content on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jarvisconsultinggroup [https://www.youtube.com/@jarvisconsultinggroup]

Andrew Curtis - Why Discipline Beats Speed

In this episode of The Iteration Lab, Guest Host Carolina Jung sits down with Andrew Curtis, CEO of Clearco, to explore why discipline - not speed - is what ultimately determines whether hypergrowth companies survive their hardest moments. Andrew reflects on stepping into the CEO role during a period of extreme pressure, following years of rapid expansion, market shifts, layoffs, and recapitalization. Drawing on his background in restructuring and finance, he shares what it takes to stabilize a business when momentum disappears, why transparency becomes essential in crisis, and how focus and execution replace optimism as leadership priorities. The conversation examines the difference between growth and durability, the hidden risks of moving too fast, and why rebuilding trust with employees, investors, and customers requires patience, clarity, and disciplined decision-making. This episode offers a candid look at leadership when speed stops being an advantage - and discipline becomes the only way forward. About the Show The Iteration Lab explores how leaders are shaped by their history, their heroes, their heartbreaks, and their hopes. Hosted by Mike Corbett, each episode features candid conversations with business and technology leaders navigating complexity, change, and high-stakes decisions. Connect Learn more about Jarvis Consulting Group: https://www.jrvs.ca/ [https://www.jrvs.ca/] Watch full episodes and short-form content on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jarvisconsultinggroup [https://www.youtube.com/@jarvisconsultinggroup]

Laura Money - Why Resilience Matters More Than Talent in Leadership

In this episode of The Iteration Lab, Mike Corbett sits down with Laura Money, Global Chief Technology & Information Officer at Sun Life, to explore why resilience is what ultimately shapes great leaders. Drawing on her career across consulting, financial services, and insurance, as well as her experience as a competitive endurance athlete, Laura reflects on the discipline, resilience, and long-term mindset required to lead through pressure and uncertainty. She shares how being pushed into roles before feeling ready accelerated her growth, why sponsorship matters more than mentorship, and how leaders earn excellence over time. The conversation also examines leading through change, sustaining high performance without burning out, and why comfort is often the enemy of progress. At its core, this episode is a reflection on leadership as a long game—one that rewards those who are willing to endure, adapt, and keep moving forward. About the Show The Iteration Lab explores how leaders are shaped by their history, their heroes, their heartbreaks, and their hopes. Hosted by Mike Corbett, each episode features candid conversations with business and technology leaders navigating complexity, change, and high-stakes decisions. Connect Learn more about Jarvis Consulting Group: https://www.jrvs.ca/ [https://www.jrvs.ca/] Watch full episodes and short-form content on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jarvisconsultinggroup [https://www.youtube.com/@jarvisconsultinggroup]

Rob Khazzam - Why Execution Beats Strategy in Building Great Companies

Strategy and analysis matter - but execution is where companies are actually built. In this episode of The Iteration Lab, Mike Corbett sits down with Rob Khazzam, CEO and Co-Founder of Float, to explore what it really takes to build and scale a company in high-pressure environments. Rob reflects on a career shaped by bold leaps - from private equity to launching Uber across Europe, to founding one of Canada’s fastest-growing fintechs. Along the way, he shares hard-earned lessons on execution over strategy, speed as a competitive advantage, customer obsession, and why resilience and grit matter more than having the perfect plan. This is a candid conversation about building momentum, navigating uncertainty, and earning progress one hard week at a time. About the Show The Iteration Lab explores how leaders are shaped by their history, their heroes, their heartbreaks, and their hopes. Hosted by Mike Corbett, each episode features candid conversations with business and technology leaders navigating complexity, change, and high-stakes decisions. Connect Learn more about Jarvis Consulting Group: https://www.jrvs.ca/ [https://www.jrvs.ca/] Watch full episodes and short-form content on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jarvisconsultinggroup [https://www.youtube.com/@jarvisconsultinggroup]