Becoming CEO dives into the high-stakes journey to the top of corporate leadership. Hosted by Dr. Maria Angela Capello and Dr. Liz Coffey, this podcast reveals the strategies, challenges, and insights behind becoming a CEO. With global coaching experience and real-world stories, they explore ambition, culture, politics, and leadership with honesty and depth.
Becoming CEO
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8 episodes
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Podcast Overview
Becoming CEO dives into the high-stakes journey to the top of corporate leadership. Hosted by Dr. Maria Angela Capello and Dr. Liz Coffey, this podcast reveals the strategies, challenges, and insights behind becoming a CEO. With global coaching experience and real-world stories, they explore ambition, culture, politics, and leadership with honesty and depth.
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Publishing Since
5/16/2025
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Recent Episodes
November 19, 2025
Developing Soft Skills for Hard Problems w/ George Koperna
<p>“If your leadership style doesn’t evolve, you won’t last long in the role.”</p><p>George Koperna shares his journey from petroleum engineer to CEO of Advanced Resources International. He opens up about the challenges of leadership in a technical consulting firm, the importance of collaboration, and the unexpected shift from engineering to people management. Whether you're climbing the ranks or already at the top, George’s insights offer valuable lessons on growth, humility, and leading with purpose.</p><p><strong>Key takeaways</strong></p><ul><li><p>Leadership requires a shift from technical expertise to interpersonal agility.</p></li><li><p>Succession planning is essential - even when it feels premature.</p></li><li><p>Mentoring helps, but authentic leadership comes from knowing what works for you.</p></li></ul><p><strong>Next step: </strong>Reflect on how your leadership style supports your team’s growth and your organization’s future.</p><p><strong>About George</strong></p><p>George J. Koperna Jr. is the CEO of Advanced Resources International, Inc.. He specializes in CO2 storage and enhanced recovery, and has led major projects across both public and private domains. George plays a key role in international standards development and chairs efforts within the Society of Petroleum Engineers. He holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering from West Virginia University.</p><p><strong>Uplevel Your Career</strong></p><ul><li><p>Connect with MAC at https://www.redtreeconsultingllc.com/.</p></li><li><p>Connect with Liz at https://www.sparkleadership.co.uk/.</p></li></ul><p><strong>About the Hosts</strong></p><p><strong>Dr. Maria Angela Capello (MAC)</strong> is the <a href="https://www.redtreeconsultingllc.com/"><u>President of Red Tree Consulting LLC</u></a> and a distinguished leader in the energy sector. She spearheads initiatives in sustainability, diversity and inclusion (D&I), and geosciences.</p><p>MAC has held prominent roles at Kuwait Oil Company, Halliburton, and Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA). The Italian Government has honored her with the “Star of Italy” knighthood, and UNESCO has endorsed her work, publishing her report “Geosciences in Action - Advancing Sustainable Development.”</p><p>MAC was recently conferred the American Geophysical Union’s (AGU) Lifetime Achievement Award for Diversity and Inclusion. Author of more than 107 technical articles and four books, Capello earned her PhD in Earth and Environmental Sciences from the University of Plymouth (UK) in 2024, an MSc in Geophysics from the Colorado School of Mines (USA), and a BSc in Physics from Simon Bolivar University (Venezuela).</p><p><strong>Dr. Elizabeth Coffey (Liz)</strong>, <a href="https://www.sparkleadership.co.uk/"><u>Founder of Spark Leadership Ltd</u></a>, is an internationally recognized leadership expert, lecturer, and author who develops CEOs, CEO Successors, and Board Executives of FTSE 100 and Global 500 companies. She has coached CEOs and their successors in a wide range of businesses and sectors.</p><p>Previously a Senior Partner in Korn Ferry’s Leadership and Talent Consultancy, Liz held senior positions with Mercer Delta Consulting and The Change Partnership. In 2022-23, she was a Distinguished Lecturer for SPE, speaking to thousands of leaders across the energy sector in more than 50 countries about “How CEOs Lead for Success.”Liz has written several leadership books, including McGraw Hill's “10 Things That Keep CEOs Awake – and How to Put Them to Bed” (2002), Deutsche Bank's “The End of Tolerance?” (2001), and “The Changing Culture of Leadership – Women Leaders’ Voices” (1999). </p><p>Liz has received many awards over the past two decades, including an Honourary Doctorate (2024), Woman Super Achiever (2018), Mentor of the Year (2007), and the European Woman of Achievement Award (2001). She has worked in more than 40 countries, including extensively in several GCC countries.</p>
November 5, 2025
How to Spot and Develop Future CEOs w/ Kate Grussing
<p>“Ambition alone won’t get you to the top. It has to be matched with talent, experience, and resilience.”</p><p>Dr. Maria Angela Capello and Dr. Liz Coffey sit down with Kate Grussing, CBE, founder of Sapphire Partners and a leading voice in executive search and leadership diversity. Kate shares her insights from decades of working with CEOs and boards, exploring what it really takes to rise to the top, the pitfalls that derail leaders, and the importance of resilience and adaptability. From ambition and communication to succession planning and diversity, this conversation provides practical wisdom for both seasoned executives and ambitious professionals preparing for leadership roles.</p><p><strong>Key takeaways</strong></p><ul><li><p>Effective leaders know when to step back, mentor successors, and avoid the trap of overconfidence.</p></li><li><p>Strong communication is essential, not just in speeches or media but in everyday interactions that build trust and credibility across the organization.</p></li><li><p>Diversity and inclusive leadership are not optional - they are essential for building strong, future-ready organizations.</p></li></ul><p><strong>Next step: </strong>Reflect on your leadership journey and ask yourself: Are you building the skills, networks, and resilience needed to thrive at the top?</p><p><strong>About Kate</strong></p><p>Kate Grussing is the Founder and Managing Director of Sapphire Partners, a leading executive search firm she established in 2005 to champion greater diversity in senior leadership and board roles. With deep expertise in CEO, CFO, NED, and Chair searches, she is recognized as a thought leader in human capital, diversity, inclusion, and equality, and was awarded a CBE for services to business in 2022.</p><p><strong>Uplevel Your Career</strong></p><ul><li><p>Connect with MAC at https://www.redtreeconsultingllc.com/.</p></li><li><p>Connect with Liz at https://www.sparkleadership.co.uk/.</p></li></ul><p><strong>About the Hosts</strong></p><p><strong>Dr. Maria Angela Capello (MAC)</strong> is the <a href="https://www.redtreeconsultingllc.com/"><u>President of Red Tree Consulting LLC</u></a> and a distinguished leader in the energy sector. She spearheads initiatives in sustainability, diversity and inclusion (D&I), and geosciences.</p><p>MAC has held prominent roles at Kuwait Oil Company, Halliburton, and Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA). The Italian Government has honored her with the “Star of Italy” knighthood, and UNESCO has endorsed her work, publishing her report “Geosciences in Action - Advancing Sustainable Development.”</p><p>MAC was recently conferred the American Geophysical Union’s (AGU) Lifetime Achievement Award for Diversity and Inclusion. Author of more than 107 technical articles and four books, Capello earned her PhD in Earth and Environmental Sciences from the University of Plymouth (UK) in 2024, an MSc in Geophysics from the Colorado School of Mines (USA), and a BSc in Physics from Simon Bolivar University (Venezuela).</p><p><strong>Dr. Elizabeth Coffey (Liz)</strong>, <a href="https://www.sparkleadership.co.uk/"><u>Founder of Spark Leadership Ltd</u></a>, is an internationally recognized leadership expert, lecturer, and author who develops CEOs, CEO Successors, and Board Executives of FTSE 100 and Global 500 companies. She has coached CEOs and their successors in a wide range of businesses and sectors.</p><p>Previously a Senior Partner in Korn Ferry’s Leadership and Talent Consultancy, Liz held senior positions with Mercer Delta Consulting and The Change Partnership. In 2022-23, she was a Distinguished Lecturer for SPE, speaking to thousands of leaders across the energy sector in more than 50 countries about “How CEOs Lead for Success.”Liz has written several leadership books, including McGraw Hill's “10 Things That Keep CEOs Awake – and How to Put Them to Bed” (2002), Deutsche Bank's “The End of Tolerance?” (2001), and “The Changing Culture of Leadership – Women Leaders’ Voices” (1999). </p><p>Liz has received many awards over the past two decades, including an Honourary Doctorate (2024), Woman Super Achiever (2018), Mentor of the Year (2007), and the European Woman of Achievement Award (2001). She has worked in more than 40 countries, including extensively in several GCC countries. </p>
October 22, 2025
Executive Presence and the Art of Listening w/ Ken Tubman
<p>“I need people around me who are going to tell me when I’m wrong and explain why. That’s the only way an organization stays healthy.”</p><p>Dr. Maria Angela Capello and Dr. Liz Coffey sit down with Ken Tubman, Chairman of SAExploration and President of PPA Resources, to explore what truly defines effective leadership. Drawing on decades of experience in the energy sector and beyond, Ken shares candid stories about executive presence, the importance of listening, and the role of coaching in shaping leaders. His insights offer practical wisdom for both seasoned executives and ambitious professionals preparing for the top.</p><p><strong>Key takeaways</strong></p><ul><li><p>Great leaders balance confidence with humility and always make space for opposing views.</p></li><li><p>No one has every skill, so the smartest leaders build teams that complement their own strengths and weaknesses.</p></li><li><p>Asking the right questions often matters more than having the right answers.</p></li></ul><p><strong>Next step: </strong>Reflect on your leadership style and ask yourself: are you truly listening to the people around you?</p><p><strong>About Ken</strong></p><p>Kenneth M. (Ken) Tubman is Chairman of the Board at SAExploration and President of PPA Resources, a strategic advisory for start-ups and established companies. He has held senior positions at multiple oil and gas companies, including ConocoPhillips, Marathon Oil and Veritas DGC. He is an active member of a number of professional societies and organizations, serving on multiple committees and boards. He earned a PhD in geophysics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1984 and a Bachelor of Science in physics from the University of Massachusetts in 1978.</p><p><strong>Uplevel Your Career</strong></p><ul><li><p>Connect with MAC at https://www.redtreeconsultingllc.com/.</p></li><li><p>Connect with Liz at https://www.sparkleadership.co.uk/.</p></li></ul><p><strong>About the Hosts</strong></p><p><strong>Dr. Maria Angela Capello (MAC)</strong> is the <a href="https://www.redtreeconsultingllc.com/"><u>President of Red Tree Consulting LLC</u></a> and a distinguished leader in the energy sector. She spearheads initiatives in sustainability, diversity and inclusion (D&I), and geosciences.</p><p>MAC has held prominent roles at Kuwait Oil Company, Halliburton, and Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA). The Italian Government has honored her with the “Star of Italy” knighthood, and UNESCO has endorsed her work, publishing her report “Geosciences in Action - Advancing Sustainable Development.”</p><p>MAC was recently conferred the American Geophysical Union’s (AGU) Lifetime Achievement Award for Diversity and Inclusion. Author of more than 107 technical articles and four books, Capello earned her PhD in Earth and Environmental Sciences from the University of Plymouth (UK) in 2024, an MSc in Geophysics from the Colorado School of Mines (USA), and a BSc in Physics from Simon Bolivar University (Venezuela).</p><p><strong>Dr. Elizabeth Coffey (Liz)</strong>, <a href="https://www.sparkleadership.co.uk/"><u>Founder of Spark Leadership Ltd</u></a>, is an internationally recognized leadership expert, lecturer, and author who develops CEOs, CEO Successors, and Board Executives of FTSE 100 and Global 500 companies. She has coached CEOs and their successors in a wide range of businesses and sectors.</p><p>Previously a Senior Partner in Korn Ferry’s Leadership and Talent Consultancy, Liz held senior positions with Mercer Delta Consulting and The Change Partnership. In 2022-23, she was a Distinguished Lecturer for SPE, speaking to thousands of leaders across the energy sector in more than 50 countries about “How CEOs Lead for Success.”Liz has written several leadership books, including McGraw Hill's “10 Things That Keep CEOs Awake – and How to Put Them to Bed” (2002), Deutsche Bank's “The End of Tolerance?” (2001), and “The Changing Culture of Leadership – Women Leaders’ Voices” (1999). </p><p>Liz has received many awards over the past two decades, including an Honourary Doctorate (2024), Woman Super Achiever (2018), Mentor of the Year (2007), and the European Woman of Achievement Award (2001). She has worked in more than 40 countries, including extensively in several GCC countries. </p>
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