World's Most Enterprising Leaders Leading Change and Inspiring Business, 2025 2

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November • Issue 129 • 2025

#Industry Insights Tech-Forward Leadership Why Innovation Cultures Win

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ditor's Beyond Boundaries: Voices Shaping Tomorrow’s Leadership

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eadership finds its true meaning when vision meets responsibility. This edition brings forward stories that reflect patience, discipline, and a deep respect for people and purpose.

The narratives gathered here underline how thoughtful choices, guided by ethics and learning, can influence institutions and communities across borders. Each contribution reminds us that progress is built through consistency, courage, and the willingness to share knowledge.

The journeys featured in these pages span finance, education, law, sustainability, and innovation. They highlight leaders who have worked across cultures, managed complexity with care, and built trust through results rather than rhetoric. From boardrooms to classrooms, these stories show how commitment to growth, both personal and collective, can shape outcomes that extend far beyond immediate goals.

In World's Most Enterprising Leaders Leading Change and Inspiring Business, 2025, we reflect on a powerful shift taking place across industries. This edition captures voices that question long-standing norms and expand opportunities through skill, resilience, and credibility. It also acknowledges the systems, mentors, and institutions that help translate ambition into lasting impact. Together, these perspectives paint a picture of leadership rooted in accountability and inclusion.

What connects the features in this issue is a shared belief that leadership is a continuous practice. It is refined through global exposure, lifelong learning, and the ability to guide others with clarity.

Whether shaping financial strategies, influencing policy, educating future professionals, or advancing sustainability, the leaders here demonstrate how responsibility and performance can move in step.

The cover story highlights a globally experienced banking executive whose career spans three decades across international markets. Known for disciplined risk management and measurable growth, this leader also devoted over twenty years to mentoring, coaching, and creating accredited learning programs worldwide.

As an author, investor, and founder of education and climatefocused initiatives, the work reflects a strong commitment to building human potential and societal value.

Also featured is a legal and academic professional with expertise in privacy, trade, and intellectual property. With experience advising governments, large corporations, and creative-sector enterprises, this individual bridges theory and practice with precision. Through teaching, published research, and courtroom advocacy, the profile reflects a career shaped by intellectual rigor, global insight, and service-driven professionalism.

Let each page inspire reflection, purpose, and forward thinking!

-Bill Limbert

Contents The Stories Within

Amarnath Paluru A Leader Shaping a Safer and Sustainable Tomorrow

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22

David Leys

The Visionary Banker Who Chose Humanity Over Conformity

Industry Insights

18

26

The Culture Shift

Tech-Forward Leadership

How Progressive Organiza ons Reinvent Themselves

Why Innova on Cultures Win

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The Front Page Exclusive

Dr. Riza

Kadilar

The Visionary Banker Who Chose Humanity Over Conformity

Merry D' Souza

Editor-in-Chief

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CONTENT Managing Editor: Bill Limbert Assisting Editor : Joe Lee

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November, 2025

Featuring

Designation

Brief

Amarnath Paluru

Senior Director – EHS & Sustainability, Biocon Limited

Amarnath Paluru is an EHS and sustainability professional with strong safety expertise, industry experience, and deep passion for nature, travel, and wildlife.

David Leys

Founding and Managing Partner, David Leys (davidleys.com)

David Leys is an international lawyer and academic, specializing in privacy, trade, intellectual property, and advising governments, enterprises, and creative sectors.

Derrick Chevalier

Executive Vice President, Harrison-Chevalier, Inc.

Derrick Chevalier is a sales strategist, author, and keynote speaker helping leaders improve negotiations, conversions, procurement results, and performance outcomes.

Dr. Riza Kadilar

President, K Ventures and RK Academy

Dr. Riza Kadilar is a global banking leader, educator, author, and investor, dedicated to mentoring, finance excellence, climate initiatives, and human development.

Premal Patel

Chief Executive Officer, Cellinfinity Bio

Premal Patel is a physician-scientist and executive advancing drug development through translational biology, medical insight, and operational leadership.

C

hange is inevitable. Not many people accept it with such graceful and intentional steps, as the ones who see beyond its uncertainty - those who know that change can be a driving power, guided by vision and by empathy. In the midst of a world where the majority pursue success, some are a rare breed that are dedicated to generating meaning.

One of the few is Dr Riza Kadilar, a man whose life story can be described as a motivating account of change as he went on to become a prosperous international banker and one of the most respected consultants in the field of coaching, mentoring, and inclusive leadership.

Having more than thirty years of experience in the financial sphere and the same amount of experience in human capital development, Riza can be considered a living example of a connection between two different worlds, the precision of analytical thinking of finance and the soul of human development.

“I have always believed that the greatest treasure on earth lies in human personality,” he often says, a statement that captures the heart of his life's work.

A Life Shaped by Curiosity and Courage Dr. Riza's story begins with a solid foundation of education and ambition. He holds a PhD in Economics, a BSc in Industrial Engineering from METU, an MSc from Stanford University, an MBA from HEC Paris, and an executive management qualification from INSEAD. He has also pursued advanced diplomas in executive coaching and mentoring, alongside recent certifications in leadership in the digital age from Columbia Business School and INSEAD. For nearly 30 years, he held senior positions in top European banks, from London to Amsterdam, Paris to Istanbul. He served as Deputy CEO of a London-based merchant bank, Management Board Member in Amsterdam, and later as Senior Country Manager for Turkey at Natixis, where he led key mergers, restructurings, and billion-dollar projects, including the covered bond programs for Turkish banking sector, a remarkable fleet of commercial aircrafts for Turkish Airlines, major energy and infrastructure investments, like Çanakkale Bridge, Blankenburg Tunnel, Haliç Railway crossing etc across Europe and Africa.

Yet behind the impressive résumé lay a deeper question What more can leadership mean beyond numbers and profit?

That question became the compass of his second career.

World's Most Enterprising Leaders Leading Change and Inspiring Business, 2025.

A Gentle Awakening - From Banking to Coaching The transition from banking to coaching was not sudden; it evolved naturally over time. While serving as Deputy CEO in London in the early 2000s,. Riza was introduced to executive coaching, then an emerging field. He began integrating coaching into his leadership approach, seeing how reflective conversations could transform not only performance but people.

By the time of the global financial crisis, when business slowed and uncertainty grew, he convinced his employer to sponsor advanced coaching training. That moment, he recalls, “was a blessing in disguise.” It marked the true beginning of his journey as a coach and mentor, one that would soon take him far beyond corporate walls.

Coaching, discovered, was not just a leadership tool. It was a way of life. philosophy was grounded in being nonjudgmental, non-directive, and cognitively empathetic, seeing others not through labels but through potential.

“Coaching helped me avoid the heavy price of the life I led,” he reflects. “It saved me from the unfinished business and conflicting wishes that cause so much pain and friction in our lives.”

His deep commitment to growth led to explore Gestalt, Transactional Analysis, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Positive Psychology, weaving these disciplines into a uniquely holistic style of coaching. Over the years, he has delivered keynotes, training sessions, and mentoring sessions in more than 30 countries, reaching over 10,000 participants across cultures and industries.

Leading the World of Mentoring - The EMCC Journey What began as personal growth soon grew into a global mission. During his coaching journey,. Riza came across the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC), a professional body dedicated to advancing best practices in coaching, mentoring, and supervision. Drawn by its inclusive, reflective, and research-based approach, he volunteered with EMCC Turkey. Within a few years, his leadership transformed the organization from a small circle of professionals to a thriving national community of over 350 members.

His vision and dedication did not go unnoticed. In 2018, Riza was elected President of EMCC Global, based in Brussels, a role that positioned him at the forefront of the

global coaching and mentoring landscape. Under his presidency, EMCC grew from 4,000 to over 20,000 members, with accredited practitioners increasing tenfold and cash reserves reaching record levels.

He championed the creation of Centers for Excellence, launched micro-credentialing systems, and aligned EMCC's accreditation with UNESCO's lifelong learning principles and the European Higher Education Framework. He also strengthened partnerships with organizations such as the European Commission, contributing to major initiatives in skills development, reskilling, and climate action.

But perhaps his proudest achievement is less about numbers and more about values. “We exist not to serve the coaches or mentors,” he says, “but to serve coaching and mentoring, as tools to make the world better.”

Under his leadership, EMCC has reached over to Asia Pacific, Latin America and the USA, and also became a beacon of inclusivity, uniting practitioners, beneficiaries, and academics in one reflective global dialogue.

Mentoring as a Social Equalizer Riza's 2016 book, The Art of Mentoring: Unity and Wisdom, captures his deep belief in mentoring as a social equalizer, a bridge between experience and aspiration. He defines mentoring as “a learning relationship involving the sharing of skills, knowledge, and expertise through developmental conversations and mutual learning.”

In his latest book Inspiring Wisdom: Mentoring he insists that true mentoring is not about giving advice or shaping others in one's image. Instead, it is about contextual wisdom, the ability to share one's perspective while remaining detached from it, allowing the mentee to discover their own truth.

His approach, often described as developmental mentoring, emphasizes equality, inclusiveness, and respect for differences. “Mentoring,” he says, “is a two-way partnership for mutual learning. It should be a core method used in every social context.”

It's an approach that extends naturally from his life philosophy, one grounded in curiosity, compassion, and courage. The three C's of coaching, as he calls them, form both his inner compass and his gift to others.

K Ventures and RK Academy - Nurturing a Better Tomorrow After decades of success in corporate life, the global pandemic presented an unexpected turning point. When his

bank closed international offices, Riza saw not an ending but a beginning. In 2020, he founded K Ventures in the Netherlands, a platform for mentoring, investment, and innovation, alongside RK Academy, an online learning hub dedicated to leadership in the digital age.

Through K Ventures, he supports agri-tech, food-tech, and life-science scale-ups, investing in projects that merge technology with sustainability. “I live in a city of life sciences,” he says. “My investments focus on using technology to improve the quality of life in the most sustainable way.”

RK Academy, meanwhile, serves as his educational home, a space where he shares knowledge on inclusiveness, digital transformation, and reflective leadership. It embodies his belief that learning never ends, and that digital transformation is not just a trend but a new language of leadership.

Inclusive Leadership: The Human Element At the core of Riza's philosophy lies one timeless idea of inclusion. Having led multicultural teams across continents, he learned early that true leadership begins with awareness of one's own biases and respect for differences. “Clients are the best teachers,” he recalls. “They taught me that diversity of perspectives is a competitive advantage.”

In his book The Contemporary Leader: The Value of Inclusion in Successful Leadership, published by Wiley in 2024, he claims that instead of seeing inclusiveness as a

“trendy concept,” he shows on how inclusion is an emotion that is achieved only through effective practice abilities. He delves into what inclusiveness promises us, discusses the relationship between inclusiveness, productivity, and diversity, evaluates concepts that are useful for us to increase our capacity for inclusion and looks at the obstacles that stand in the way of inclusion (such as unconscious biases and prejudices) to help teach readers understand how to change and become an inclusive leader.

He often describes his leadership style using the metaphor of a farmer: “When you don't get the yield you want, you don't start getting mad at your seeds. You look at the soil, the sunlight, the rain, at the environment.”

His humility has guided him through the most complex challenges, from boardroom disagreements on sensitive topics like Black Lives Matter and climate action to navigating cultural nuances in global teams. His famous “empty chair” method during board meetings, leaving a chair symbolically open to represent absent stakeholders,

to Bloomberg Businessweek Turkey and Harvard Business Review Turkey, and served on boards such as Institut du Bosphore (Paris), TUSIAD Netherlands Network (Amsterdam), and the Hisar Education Foundation (Istanbul).

His thought leadership centers on how to inspire, a question he explores in mentoring, teaching, and speaking engagements. For him, thought leadership is not about status but about service: connecting dots, sharing insights, and co-creating meaningful change. “I detached myself from routine tasks early in my career,” he says. “That allowed me to see the bigger picture and connect ideas across fields.”

Today, he continues to inspire leaders across sectors to move from ego-driven performance to purpose-driven impact, from achieving success to creating significance.

Looking Ahead with Hope and Humanity When asked what legacy he wishes to leave behind, Riza smiles. His answer is simple yet profound: to be a good ancestor.

He hopes that the leaders he mentors today will build “good times for all stakeholders”, a phrase he uses to describe a world where success and sustainability. He believes the next era of leadership will not be measured by profits or titles, but by how much harmony, empathy, inclusion, and creativity we bring into our systems.

“Coaching and mentoring are maybe the best tools to create a better world,” he says. “The contemporary social contract requires everyone to listen, respect differences, and create a sense of belonging.”

ensures every voice, even the unheard, has a place in the conversation.

Riza believes that leadership is not about control but about creating the right conditions for growth, psychological safety, shared goals, and collective wisdom. “Partnerships are not created by partners,” he says, “but by common goals.”

A Thought Leader Who Inspires Action Beyond organisational achievements, Riza is a prolific writer and speaker. He has authored nine books, contributed

For Riza, leadership is not a position but a responsibility, a daily practice of kindness, awareness, and reflection.

Whether in a classroom in Amsterdam, a conference in Istanbul, or a board meeting in Brussels, he continues to serve as what he calls “a catalyst for meaningful change.”

And perhaps that is the essence of his journey, a man who turned leadership into learning and success into service. In a world that often values speed over wisdom, Riza reminds us that the future belongs to those who lead with curiosity, courage, and compassion.

Industry Insights

How Progressive

Organizations

Reinvent Themselves

I

n the modern dynamic environment, the organizations that stay ahead are the ones that know how to reinvent themselves. Rapid changes in technology, the emergence of new market expectations and changing needs at the workplace demand not occasional updates; they demand continuous renewal. Progressive organizations understand this and treat reinvention as an ongoing habit rather than a response to pressure. Business change-makers are at the heart of this process, who help teams navigate uncertainty with clarity and confidence.

These organizations recognize that the methods that once brought success can become outdated quickly. They are prepared to rethink the decision-making process, the way the teams work and create value, rather than adhering to the established patterns or organizational framework. Such an attitude enables them to stay agile, creative, and aligned with the needs of the moment.

A Clear Purpose in a Changing World Every reinvention begins with purpose. Progressive organizations regularly revisit their mission and ask whether it still fits current social, economic, and

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The Culture Shift

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Industry Insights

technological realities. They discover what really makes them different and eliminate processes that do not help them achieve their core goals. Business change-makers guide these reflections, helping teams decide what to simplify, what to stop, and where to invest energy so focus remains sharp.

A strong sense of purpose gives people direction during uncertain times. When teams understand why the organization exists, they can modify how they work without compromising their identity. This balance of clarity and flexibility supports sustainable reinvention.

From Fixed Plans to Adaptive Strategy Traditional organizations are dependent on long-term and rigid plans. Progressive organizations, however, build adaptive strategies. Instead of trying to predict every detail of the future, they establish general priorities and allow strategy to evolve through experiments and feedback.

Business change-makers create short cycles in which teams plan, act, and reflect rapidly and make adjustments as new information is uncovered.

Here, strategy and execution move together. Teams test ideas in real conditions, learn from the results, and refine their direction step by step. This minimizes the chances of massive failures and makes the organization focused on the actual needs rather than old assumptions.

Innovation as a Shared Responsibility In older systems, innovation belongs to one department.

Progressive organizations spread it across the entire workforce. All, including the front-line teams to leadership, are encouraged to identify issues, suggest improvements, and try new approaches. Business change-makers assist in establishing practical ways to collect ideas, prioritize them and turn promising concepts into small pilots.

They also open doors to external collaboration. Partnerships with universities, startups, communities, and even competitors bring in fresh knowledge and technologies.

With this mix of internal insight and external input, progressive organizations reinvent products, services, and business models more effectively.

Empowered Teams and Decentralized Decisions Reinvention becomes difficult when decision-making is trapped at the top. Progressive organizations push authority closer to where the information is. Cross-functional teams

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receive clear goals and boundaries but have the freedom to choose how to achieve them. This speeds up responses and builds ownership.

Business change-makers support this shift by teaching teams how to work with autonomy—setting priorities, managing risks, and sharing learning. Leaders transition from command-and-control to coaching and support, creating cultures where people feel trusted and engaged.

Data, Learning, and Psychological Safety Constant learning is necessary in reinvention. Progressive organizations rely on data to make decisions, but combine it with human judgment. They monitor customer experience, employee involvement, and innovation initiatives, not just financial numbers. The frequent experiments give early feedback so teams can adjust before problems grow.

Psychological safety is equally essential. People must feel safe to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and admit mistakes. Reinvention is made easier when failures are viewed as a source of information rather than punishment.

Technology as a Catalyst, Not a Goal Progressive organizations use technology to enable new ways of working, not just to upgrade tools. Automation reduces repetitive tasks, data platforms improve information flow, and AI helps teams see patterns they might miss. Business change-makers make sure these tools are implemented with a focus on people, ensuring that technology genuinely improves daily work.

Social Impact and Long-Term Trust These organizations also think beyond profit. They prioritize ethical conduct, environmental concerns, and products that benefit society. This strategy builds trust between companies, customers, employees, and partners, making reinvention more meaningful and sustainable.

Conclusion Reinvention is not a one-time effort; it is an ongoing journey. Progressive organizations establish a culture of reflection, experimentation, and open dialogue in daily practice. With purpose, adaptive strategy, empowered teams, and a commitment to long-term impact, they continue to evolve with the world around them. Supported by business change-makers, they stay resilient, relevant, and ready for whatever comes next.

The Stories Within

Amarnath Paluru

A Leader Shaping a Safer and Sustainable Tomorrow ny meaningful path starts with a moment of truth, a moment when a person understands that he or she can make people, cultures and the future itself with his or her work. To Amarnath Paluru, that was the time when he had no title and recognition in his life. His introduction to the world of EHS and Sustainability was not a mere change of careers but a vocation that was led by a cause and great inner belief.

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He saw firsthand how structured decision-making, proactive governance, and empathetic communication could influence people, shape culture, and strengthen long-term success.

That experience changed his direction. It revealed that leadership is not a position one holds, it is a responsibility one accepts. This realisation pushed him toward a path where enabling people and creating safe, sustainable environments became his purpose.

He is seen today as a leader who brings clarity, compassion and courage to whatever he is doing. At the back of all, it is a human being who is responsible, disciplined, and with an idea of safety and sustainability being the core of real organisational success.

The Principles That Guide His Every Decision

Discovering the Power of Responsible Leadership Amarnath began his professional journey with a strong technical foundation. Early in his career, he found himself stepping into EHS and Sustainability at a time when the learning curve was steep, but the impact was accurate. As he worked on the shop floor, implementing safety systems and supporting risk-mitigation initiatives, he began to understand how leadership could change the direction of an organisation.

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I aim to contribute to an ecosystem where safety, sustainability, and operational excellence are not just goals but ingrained cultural values that define organisational identity.

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Values form the backbone of Amarnath’s leadership, and integrity stands at the top of that foundation. Every decision he makes is anchored in ethical clarity and organisational purpose. Accountability follows closely behind. He believes in owning outcomes fully and encouraging the same sense of responsibility within every team he leads. Yet, the value that most distinguishes his approach is empathy.

For him, empathy is what transforms leadership into something meaningful. Understanding people, their motivations, struggles, emotions, and aspirations, allows him to build trust, nurture confidence, and create an environment where everyone feels respected and empowered. His leadership is further strengthened by resilience, transparency, and a bias for action. He believes in facing challenges directly, communicating openly, and moving forward even when the path is uncertain.

Staying Ahead in a Rapidly Changing World The pharmaceutical industry is one of constant change.

Regulations shift, sustainability expectations rise, and competition becomes more demanding each year. Staying ahead in such an environment requires vision and

World's Most Enterprising Leaders Leading Change and Inspiring Business, 2025.

preparation. Amarnath does this by staying deeply connected to global regulatory movements, emerging sustainability frameworks, and evolving technologies. But he looks beyond updates and trends.

He studies their implications, anticipates challenges, and prepares organisations for what lies ahead. He strongly believes in learning from teams, from industry forums, and from real-world benchmarks. This approach helps him create systems that are agile, scalable, and resilient long before the world demands them.

Innovation as a Daily Practice Amarnath does not see innovation as a dramatic breakthrough or a one-time achievement. For him, it is a daily practice, a habit of asking how processes can be improved, how systems can be made safer, and how operations can become more sustainable. Innovation begins with curiosity. It grows when people feel encouraged to question tradition, and it thrives when leaders give teams the confidence to explore new ideas.

What Leadership Truly Means to Him In Amarnath’s eyes, successful leaders stand apart not because of authority, but because of how they carry their purpose. He believes effective leaders have clarity of vision and consistency in their actions. They listen deeply and make decisions thoughtfully. He values decisiveness balanced with compassion, and assertiveness balanced with humility.

Emotional intelligence is one of the traits he places the highest importance on. In an industry shaped by uncertainty, leaders must be adaptable, reflective, and grounded. Above all, humility keeps leaders open to learning, connected to their teams, and clear in their intentions.

Within the pharmaceutical ecosystem, innovation becomes essential. It supports patient safety. It strengthens compliance. It improves operational excellence. Amarnath encourages innovation through open conversations, collaboration between teams, and recognition of people who think beyond the ordinary. From digital EHS dashboards to hazardous waste reduction programs and robust sustainability roadmaps, he ensures innovation is always meaningful and practical.

Milestones That Define His Impact Amarnath’s professional journey carries several milestones that reflect both his commitment and his capability. Leading the EHS and Sustainability function across large pharmaceutical sites has been a particularly fulfilling experience. Overseeing greenfield expansions, guiding teams through high-stakes regulatory inspections, and strengthening safety systems across locations have been major highlights of his work.

He values external recognition, but the moments that matter most to him are far more personal, the trust placed in him by leadership, the confidence shown by site teams, and the cultural transformation visible in everyday operations.

These moments, he believes, are the true indicators of meaningful impact.

Amarnath Paluru Senior Director – EHS & Sustainability Biocon Limited

November | 23

S Strength Built Through Real Challenges

Guidance for the Leaders of Tomorrow

The most defining challenges in Amarnath’s career have come during periods of intense organisational change, expansions, regulatory shifts, manpower constraints, or unexpected audits. These moments have taught him that clarity, teamwork, and discipline are the keys to overcoming difficulty. He has learned to break complex problems into manageable actions, to depend on the strengths of cross-functional partners, and to inspire accountability in every stakeholder involved.

To young leaders, Amarnath offers advice shaped by experience and sincerity. He believes integrity is the foundation of all influence and that curiosity keeps leaders adaptable and progressive. He often reminds emerging professionals that leadership is not about authority but about impact.

Transparent communication plays a vital role in these situations. By keeping everyone aligned, expectations become clearer, execution becomes smoother, and resistance reduces significantly. These experiences have strengthened his resilience and expanded his ability to lead in uncertainty.

Calm Thinking in High-Pressure Moments Clarity, for Amarnath, comes from preparation. Whether he is entering a regulatory inspection, responding to a safety incident, or steering a time-sensitive project, he grounds himself in facts, strong processes, and a deep connection to organisational purpose.

Remaining composed allows him to make sound decisions and helps teams remain steady when the environment feels tense. His resilience is built over years of disciplined thinking, reflection, and a strong focus on solutions rather than fear. He believes that when people feel supported and trusted, they rise above pressure and perform at their best.

24 | Enterprise Review

He encourages them to treat people with respect, communicate openly, and stay grounded in their values.

Failure, he believes, is as important as success because it strengthens resilience and sharpens perspective. As he puts it, “Impact demands consistency.”

Looking Toward a More Sustainable Future The future of EHS and Sustainability offers immense possibilities, and Amarnath is excited to shape what comes next. He is deeply committed to strengthening digital transformation in safety governance, accelerating carbonreduction initiatives, and building sustainability frameworks aligned with global standards.

He also wants to empower the next generation of EHS professionals by nurturing their technical skills, improving collaboration across sites, and creating opportunities for continuous learning. His long-term vision is to help organisations build cultures where safety and sustainability are not merely goals but deeply embedded values.

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Industry Insights

26 | Enterprise Review

Tech-Forward Leadership

Why

Innovation Cultures Win

I

nnovation cultures stand out because they know how to turn imagination into progress. These workplaces transform challenges into opportunities and treat creativity as a daily practice rather than a rare breakthrough. In a world that changes faster each year, organizations that embrace experimentation move ahead with confidence.

At the center of this forward momentum are inspiring entrepreneurs who nurture environments where new ideas can grow and where people feel encouraged to think differently.

What Is an Innovation Culture?

Innovation culture is a workplace environment where new ideas are embraced, experimented, and improved instead of being dismissed.

Instead of dismissing suggestions, teams are encouraged to ask questions, challenge routines, and try new approaches. Mistakes are seen as part of the learning process, not signs of failure. People feel safe speaking up because

they trust that their contributions will be respected.

In these settings, teams believe improvement is always possible. Curiosity becomes a shared habit. Numerous successful entrepreneurs build their companies on this philosophy, and therefore, make innovation a daily routine instead of a rare activity.

Why Innovation Cultures Outperform Others Innovative organizations adapt quickly during times of change. When the customer expectations change or there are new technologies, they can respond without hesitation. Rather than waiting until they have the right plans, such teams experiment and learn early and change their strategies with agility.

This approach strengthens motivation.

Employees feel energized when their ideas

November | 27

Industry Insights

matter and when they can help shape the future of their workplace. Productivity often rises because people feel trusted and valued for their creative thinking. Inspiring entrepreneurs know that when individuals are granted ownership, their commitment deepens.

Turning Ideas Into Real Value Ideas on their own have little impact. The skill to convert ideas into significant outcomes is what makes an innovation culture successful. Many organizations build simple systems where employees are allowed to make proposals, vote on suggestions or collaborate on creative issues.

Leaders often set clear priorities so that ideas connect to genuine needs, such as customer satisfaction improvement, process improvement, or expansion of opportunities. Small experiments, pilot projects, and cross-disciplinary teamwork allow ideas to grow quickly. When something works, it grows. When it doesn’t, teams think about what happened, make changes, and move forward without fear.

This steady cycle of “test, learn, improve” helps businesses turn imagination into measurable progress.

Open communication is essential. Information flows freely rather than staying trapped within departments. Regular check-ins, transparent updates, and shared digital tools help people understand what others are working on and where new possibilities might emerge. These systems are designed by inspiring entrepreneurs in such a way that teamwork becomes a habit.

Embracing Technology as an Enabler Innovation can be fast-tracked by utilizing technology with intention. Digital tools help teams test ideas faster, collect useful data, and stay connected. Online whiteboards, analytics dashboards, and automation free people from repetitive tasks, giving them more time for creative thinking.

While many inspiring entrepreneurs are the first ones to adopt beneficial technology, they also remain practical.

They focus on how a tool will improve learning, service, or long-term growth rather than chasing trends without purpose.

Learning From Failure and Sustaining Momentum

The Role of Leadership and Mindset The core of any innovation culture is formed by leadership.

Great leaders remain curious, humble, and open to learning.

They are open about what they are not aware of and encourage others to share solutions. Giving credit is a good way to build trust and encourages teams to give straightforward feedback and courageous ideas.

Many inspiring entrepreneurs ask questions that widen possibilities, “What if?” and “Why not?”, instead of focusing only on constraints. They also hold themselves accountable to guardrails, including clear values, budgets, as well as timelines, making certain that creativity remains purposeful and sustainable.

Collaboration, Diversity, and Open Communication Innovation grows best when different minds work together.

Teams with diverse backgrounds and skills bring fresh angles to problem-solving. By inviting designers, engineers, educators, marketers, and community members to work together, organizations create better ideas and achieve stronger results.

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A healthy attitude toward failure is one reason innovation cultures succeed. Rather than conceal their errors, the teams discuss them to understand what went wrong and how to improve. This attitude encourages experimentation and builds resilience over time.

Momentum grows when progress is celebrated. Small wins are a reminder to everyone that innovation works, whether it is a more efficient process or a better customer response.

Continuous training, mentoring, and knowledge-sharing help skills grow across the organization.

Conclusion Innovation cultures are important because they are built for change. They listen, adapt, and stay open to possibilities.

Guided by inspiring entrepreneurs, these workplaces transform imagination into action and uncertainty into opportunity. With the ever-evolving world, organizations that embrace curiosity, collaboration, and continuous learning will lead the way toward a more dynamic and hopeful future.

The Stories Within

DAVID LEYS

A Global Mind Shaping the Future of Law and Leadership

A Journey of Curiosity & Purpose There are rare few who are shaped by a deep and early understanding of what truly moves the world. David Leys belongs to that group. From his teenage years, he carried a conviction many adults take decades to understand: that law is not merely a set of rules, but a strategic language that powers business, diplomacy, and global cooperation.

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generation of leaders will always leave a few leaders that remind us that a leader is not about position but purpose. They do not pursue jobs, they create impact. They are not trend takers, they are trend setters. And they bear a mute assurance of knowing why they do what they do.

David Leys is such an exceptional leader.

A down-to-earth thinker with a head in the clouds, the story of David is not made by accident, but by sanity and discipline and a lifetime of thinking that law can be a unifying and opportunity-making power. His experience shows that in the case of curiosity and devotion, it can build a career across borders.

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Growing up with a natural fascination for how countries, companies, and institutions interact, David did not see law as a constraint. He saw it as a bridge, a way to connect people, resolve conflict, and steer progress. This belief slowly became the compass for his academic path, professional choices, and leadership style. Today, he is widely recognized as a lawyer who brings clarity where the world brings complexity, and foresight where the future brings uncertainty.

What sets David apart is not just his expertise, but the emotional depth behind his work. He speaks with calm conviction, the kind that comes from years of standing in courtrooms, negotiating across borders, and learning from cultures around the world. At his core, he believes leadership is a form of service, a belief that echoes through every milestone of his journey.

“Law is an engine for trust, growth, and opportunity,” David says. And his life’s work reflects that truth.

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World's Most Enterprising Leaders Leading Change and Inspiring Business, 2025.

Leadership requires anticipation, preparing clients for tomorrow’s rules, not just today’s.

Shaping a Global Perspective David’s academic years laid a powerful foundation for who he is today. He studied at the Université catholique de Louvain, the College of Europe, and Columbia Law School in New York, institutions known for shaping thinkers who lead on the world stage.

But it wasn’t just the classrooms or the degrees that transformed him. It was the people. During his year at Columbia, he lived at the International House, surrounded by peers from more than 100 countries. There, he learned how culture influences decision-making, how perspectives shift across borders, and how global leadership demands humility, listening, and adaptability.

That multicultural exposure did more than broaden his worldview, it created the framework for the leader he would become. A leader who is as comfortable in a courtroom in Belgium as he is advising a Fortune 500 company with operations across continents. A leader who sees global change not as a complication but as an opportunity.

That litigation experience didn’t just make David a better advocate, it made him a sharper strategist. Every contract he drafts, every advisory he delivers, and every risk he anticipates carries the insight of someone who knows exactly how these decisions will unfold under scrutiny.

His work spans competition law, GDPR, IP matters, trade regulation, and high-impact merger control. One of his defining professional moments was coordinating multicountry due diligence and competition submissions for a major EU merger involving a Fortune 500 energy corporation, a project that demanded precision, leadership, and extraordinary speed.

Yet despite these achievements, David remains grounded.

“Integrity, clarity, and purpose are my compass,” he says, and anyone who has worked with him can see those values in action every day.

Values That Shape His Leadership David’s leadership is anchored in three unwavering principles •

Integrity : For him, credibility is the true currency of the legal world. Clients trust him because they know every recommendation, argument, and decision is rooted in truth, rigor, and responsibility.

Crafting a Career at the Intersection of Law, Technology, and Business

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David’s earliest professional training took place at two of the world’s top international law firms: Sidley Austin and McGuireWoods. These experiences introduced him to the intense, high-stakes space where trade, regulation, competition, and geopolitics overlap. He honed his ability to dissect complex regulatory frameworks, anticipate legal risks, and translate them into strategic advantages for clients.

Clarity : He believes that leaders must bring simplicity to complicated environments. Whether interpreting complex EU regulations or guiding cross-border strategy, David focuses on cutting through noise to reveal the actionable path forward.

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Purpose : Leadership, to him, is not about authority. It is about service. It is about building solutions that help clients grow, navigate uncertainty, and prepare for the future.

But one element defined his career more than anything else: the courtroom.

These values are not abstract ideas, they are practical tools he uses in every challenge, every negotiation, and every high-pressure moment.

With more than 300 appearances in Belgian courts, David forged a leadership style shaped by real pressure. When a case unfolds in front of judges, clients, and opponents, there is no time for hesitation. You learn to think fast, stay composed, and trust your preparation. You learn to see the heart of a problem even when noise surrounds it.

Innovation as a Mindset To David, innovation is not about chasing trends. It is about rethinking the role of law itself. Instead of viewing regulation as a hurdle, he encourages clients to see it as a blueprint for competitive advantage.

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Clients quickly recognized the value of working directly with the person who designs and executes their strategy.

David Leys Founding and Managing Partner David Leys (davidleys.com)

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Advice for Aspiring Leaders

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David’s advice to emerging leaders is grounded in wisdom earned through experience -

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Creative problem-solving Responsible adoption of technology, including AI and compliance automation Co-creation with clients, ensuring solutions are designed with them, not for them

As a doctoral researcher studying digital trade and technologies like 3D printing, and as a Visiting Scholar at Duke Law School, David is always analyzing the next wave of regulation that will shape global business. His commitment to research keeps him ahead of change, not reacting to it.

Lessons From Challenge and Change One of David’s biggest professional challenges was establishing himself as a solo practitioner in a market dominated by large law firms. Competing with them required a bold, different approach, not scale, but speed.

Not size, but precision.

Clients soon realized the value of working directly with the person who conceptualizes and executes the strategy. His success came not from shortcuts, but from consistency, focus, and an unshakeable dedication to quality.

Another challenge has been navigating the ever-evolving European regulatory landscape. To simplify complexity, he built structured compliance systems, playbooks, and contract modules that help clients stay ahead instead of falling behind.

Litigation taught him resilience. Research taught him anticipation. Travel taught him humility. Together, they shaped a leader who sees challenges not as obstacles, but as catalysts for growth.

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Master your fundamentals. Technical strength builds credibility.

Stay curious. Curiosity fuels adaptation and creativity.

Think globally. The world is interconnected, your mindset should be too.

Take responsibility early. Leadership is a behavior, not a title.

Invest in relationships. Trust is the foundation of lasting impact.

His guidance is simple but powerful, shaped by a life spent learning from pressure, diversity, and continuous transformation.

A Future Focused on Impact Looking ahead, David is energized by three priorities.

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Advancing his research on digital trade and emerging technologies.

Expanding his cross-border advisory practice to support responsible growth across Europe, the U.S., and beyond.

Mentoring the next generation of professionals working at the intersection of law, technology, and global business.

His long-term vision is bold: a world where law is not merely a shield against risk, but a tool for innovation, trust, and international collaboration.

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