Episode 9: AI Leadership & Bravery (with Yoemy Waller)

In this episode of our conversation with Yoemy Waller, we dive deeper into AI leadership, humility, and courage. Yoemy shares how she leads through uncertainty, manages client expectations, and balances innovation with responsibility in healthcare. She reflects on the importance of lifelong learning, staying adaptable, and helping organizations embrace ethical AI without losing their human focus.
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Show Notes

Episode 9 cover image - Inside CTOx Podcast
Inside CTOx
Episode 9: AI Leadership & Bravery (with Yoemy Waller)
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Podcast Description

In this episode of our conversation with Yoemy Waller, we dive deeper into AI leadership, humility, and courage. Yoemy shares how she leads through uncertainty, manages client expectations, and balances innovation with responsibility in healthcare. She reflects on the importance of lifelong learning, staying adaptable, and helping organizations embrace ethical AI without losing their human focus. In the AI Hot Seat, ChatGPT challenges Yoemy with a bold question on leadership best practices—and her answer is both fearless and refreshingly honest.

About the Guest

Yoemy Waller | CTOx Accelerator Alumni

Yoemy Waller is a healthcare data scientist turned fractional CTO who guides organizations through AI-powered transformation—from payment integrity to natural-language processing and disease detection—always focused on patient outcomes. Known as a fearless AI evangelist, she blends clinical precision with cultural fluency gained from visiting 160 countries and speaking seven languages. Yoemy champions ethical, human-centered systems that heal, empower, and connect.

Connect with Yoemy

• Website: Healthittek LLC | DataCzars LLC
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yoemywaller/

Episode Breakdown

Part 2 – Leadership, Bravery & the AI Hot Seat
• 0:00 – Cold open: continuous learning & never missing the breakthrough
• 0:17 – Welcome back to Inside CTOx with host Donna
• 0:34 – Reflecting on AI, healthcare, and purpose-driven technology
• 1:35 – How AI has influenced Yoemy’s leadership and mindset
• 1:41 – Embracing humility: learning, iterating, and managing expectations
• 4:34 – Managing clients and technology teams through rapid AI evolution
• 5:41 – Leadership lessons: guiding others through uncertainty
• 6:38 – The importance of curiosity and continuous learning
• 7:29 – AI Hot Seat: Surprise Question from ChatGPT
• 8:24 – Challenging outdated best practices and fear of change
• 9:52 – How to present bold, outside-the-box ideas in the boardroom
• 11:44 – Breaking through fear, building confidence, and shifting perspectives
• 12:32 – Turning shock into engagement: storytelling & politically risky truths
• 13:27 – From AI evangelist to “change evangelist” — redefining leadership
• 14:05 – Becoming the “data czar”: influence through trust and belief
• 15:03 – Knowing your worth: why value mindset matters for CTOs
• 16:10 – The CTOx mentality: growth through self-belief and brave action
• 16:32 – Closing reflections & gratitude
• 16:51 – Outro and listener appreciation

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