🔍 I’m Douglas, a native Texan, world traveler, and proud dog dad to Peanut. My journey behind the lens began with a childhood fascination, sparked by the captivating images in National Geographic Magazine. This passion blossomed in college, where I honed my skills and developed a profound appreciation for visual storytelling.

As an Award-Winning Corporate Photographer, I bring over 20 years of professional experience to every project. I've enhanced the brand identity of more than 800 professionals, helping them communicate their unique value through compelling imagery.

𝗪𝗛𝗢 𝗜’𝗩𝗘 𝗛𝗘𝗟𝗣𝗘𝗗

My work has taken me across the globe, contributing to prestigious projects with National Geographic TV, ESPN, BBC, Fox News, CNN, and notable personalities like Dr. Phil, Yao Ming and George Foreman. Each experience has enriched my understanding of people, enabling me to create photographs that capture moments and evoke emotions.

𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗜 𝗗𝗢

📸 Corporate Photographer: I specialize in stunning corporate headshots that convey professionalism and authenticity. My on-site photo studio ensures consistency across your team, using custom digital and traditional backgrounds, and personalized coaching to bring out the best in each individual, resulting in a cohesive visual representation of your brand.

𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗪𝗘 𝗖𝗔𝗡 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞 𝗧𝗢𝗚𝗘𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥

🌟 𝗧𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘁𝘀:  We bring the studio to you, ensuring a seamless experience capturing your brand's essence. The results are immediate, with instant viewing and image selection on-site, followed by professional editing and secure online delivery.

🌟 𝗗𝘆𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘁 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗵𝘀: Ideal for businesses with a widespread workforce, our headshot booth ensures stunning and uniform headshots. Participants benefit from private proofing galleries and instant email delivery. The booth sponsor receives the comprehensive lead list and has the option to brand the individual private galleries for an additional touch point to the participants, with zero administrative work for you.

🌟 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: I offer private consulting workshops to help businesses refine their visual storytelling. These sessions cover headshot techniques to brand imaging strategies, providing personalized guidance to elevate your company’s visual impact.

Through my lens, I strive to capture the unique essence of individuals and brands, creating images that resonate and inspire.

📸 Ready to start your journey?

╰┈➤ Click on the link in my bio.

Douglas Burns

Most people will never see the chaos behind a live corporate broadcast.

Multiple robotic cameras. Instant switching. Redundant feeds. Tight scripts. 

No pause. No "fix it in post." If it breaks, it breaks in front of everyone.

This was an internal all-hands broadcast for a Honeywell division. 

My job? Stay invisible. Make the tech fade into the background so leaders and presenters could focus on their message, not on production.

Perfect live production isn't luck. It's experience.

Live work is different from anything else. 

You plan for failure before it happens. 

You build systems that quietly absorb chaos, so nobody in the room ever knows.

The point isn't to show off. It's about being reliable, clear, and steady.

That's what clients actually pay for: the right to stop worrying about the tech and focus on what matters.

If everything on camera looks calm, it's because a lot is happening below the surface.

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Profile link:

https://www.productionparadise.com/spotlight/2242/corporate-industrial-and-healthcare-photography-and-motion

As the Co-Founder, I proudly hold the Certified Travel Associate (CTA) designation from The Travel Institute. 

This prestigious certification recognizes travel professionals who have completed a rigorous, exam-based training program, demonstrating extensive industry knowledge and the highest standards of professionalism.

The CTA curriculum equips travel professionals with essential skills needed to excel as frontline travel counselors. 

Topics covered include advanced selling techniques, exceptional customer service, in-depth destination knowledge, insights into niche markets, and effective communication strategies.

Key Components of the CTA Curriculum:

- Selling Skills: Techniques to identify customer needs and present compelling travel solutions.
- Customer Service: Providing outstanding service and building long-term client relationships.
- Destination Knowledge: Understanding various destinations globally, including cultural and practical travel information.
- Niche Markets: Catering to specialized markets such as adventure travel, luxury travel, and eco-tourism.
- Communication: Enhancing professional interactions with clients, suppliers, and colleagues.

The CTA designation not only acknowledges my expertise but also my commitment to continuous professional growth. It is the first step towards earning the Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) designation, which signifies a higher level of achievement in the travel industry. Pursuing the CTC builds on the foundation laid by the CTA, deepening my knowledge and skills.

My goal is to help clients discover the world in meaningful and culturally enriching ways. 

The CTA designation equips me to curate exceptional travel experiences that go beyond the ordinary, immersing travelers in the rich tapestry of global cultures and creating lasting memories.

Certified Travel Associate (CTA)

As a Co-Founder, I'm deeply committed to crafting unique and enriching travel experiences. 

My passion for travel and dedication to excellence have been recognized by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), awarding me the prestigious Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC) designation.

The ACC designation is given to dedicated travel professionals who complete an extensive program, including classroom training, immersive cruise experiences, ship inspections, video/DVD training, and participation in industry events. 

Achieving this certification underscores my commitment to providing clients with the highest standard of service and expertise.

Key Achievements:

- Completed extensive CLIA training and certification
- Gained in-depth knowledge of cruise operations and itineraries
- Conducted numerous ship inspections, understanding various cruise lines
- Attended leading industry events, staying updated on travel trends and innovations
- Enhanced ability to offer personalized, informed travel recommendations
- Leveraged industry connections for the best deals and itineraries

Client Benefits:

- Tailored vacation planning from a certified cruise expert
- Assurance of meticulously planned, unforgettable cruise experiences
- Access to exclusive deals and amenities available only through accredited professionals
- Continuous support throughout the travel journey, from planning to post-vacation follow-up

My goal is to help clients discover the world in meaningful and culturally enriching ways. The ACC designation equips me with the knowledge and resources to curate exceptional cruise vacations that go beyond the ordinary. 

Each journey is designed to immerse travelers in the rich tapestry of global cultures, creating lasting memories.

I’m excited to continue leveraging my expertise to craft unforgettable travel experiences. 

Whether you're dreaming of an exotic cruise, a cultural expedition, or a serene getaway, we're here to guide you every step of the way.

Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC)

The Telly Awards is the premier award honoring excellence in video and television across all screens. Established in 1979, The Telly Awards receives over 13,000 entries globally, making recognition in this competition a significant achievement in the industry.

Being included as a Bronze winner is a testament to my dedication to creating outstanding visual content. The Telly Awards Judging Council, an esteemed industry body of over 250 leading experts from advertising agencies, production companies, and major television networks such as Adobe, Netflix, and Meta Creative Shop, evaluates entries based on their excellence in various categories. 

These include Branded Content, Commercials & Marketing, Immersive & Mixed Reality, Non-Broadcast, Online and Television Series, Shows & Segments, and Social Video.

Key Achievements:

- Honored alongside top-tier professionals and companies globally
- Evaluated and selected by leading industry experts

This accolade highlights my ability to deliver high-quality, impactful content that resonates with audiences across multiple platforms. 

It underscores my commitment to excellence in visual storytelling and my capability to create compelling narratives that drive engagement and deliver results.

Impact:

- Enhanced brand visibility and credibility through award-winning content
- Demonstrated expertise in producing high-quality visual narratives

Winning a Telly Award reflects my ongoing pursuit of excellence and my passion for pushing the boundaries of creativity. 

It motivates me to continue producing work that not only meets but exceeds industry standards, ensuring that each project I undertake is of the highest caliber.

My goal is to leverage this recognition to further enhance my skills and contribute to projects that make a meaningful impact. I'm committed to creating visual content that tells powerful stories and engages audiences in innovative ways.

Telly Award - Bronze Category Winner

I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Telecommunications, Radio Television & Film from Texas Tech University, where I was actively involved in the Wesley Foundation. 

The Wesley at Texas Tech is dedicated to raising up generations of dynamic Christians who lead by inviting real people into real ministry in the real world. 

Established in 1935, it has been a “home away from home” for Texas Tech students, impacting and equipping them for lifelong Christian service.

My involvement in the Wesley Foundation enriched my college experience, providing a supportive environment for spiritual growth and leadership development. The foundation has inspired over 200 individuals to pursue full-time ministry roles, including local pastors, campus ministers, youth ministers, worship leaders, and missionaries. 

This experience complemented my academic pursuits, fostering a holistic development that continues to influence my career and personal life.

✨ Enhancing Your Brand’s Visual Storytelling with Stunning Corporate Headshots | Award-Winning Houston Corporate Photographer | 20+ Years Elevating Brand Identity for 800+ Professionals | ˙✧˖°📸⋆｡˚

Since 2023, I have had the privilege of volunteering as a portrait photographer with BEAR Houston, an organization dedicated to supporting abused and neglected children.

BEAR is unique in its collaboration with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) and Harris County Resources for Children and Adults, offering programs that go beyond basic needs to provide comfort, dignity, and the celebration of successes for children who have recently been uprooted.

As a volunteer portrait photographer, my role involves capturing the resilience and spirit of these incredible children. Through my lens, I strive to provide them with moments of joy and self-esteem, immortalizing their smiles and the light in their eyes during times of immense change and challenge. 

Each portrait session is not just about taking pictures; it's about creating an environment where the children feel valued, celebrated, and seen.

Working with BEAR has been a profoundly rewarding experience. The organization’s mission to propel children toward a successful future resonates deeply with me. 

By offering my skills in photography, I contribute to this mission by helping children feel proud and hopeful about their futures. The portraits I create are small but meaningful tokens of normalcy and pride, providing these young individuals with a sense of identity and confidence.

For more information about BEAR Houston and their incredible work, please visit BEAR Houston.

As part of a dedicated team of volunteer photographers, I had the honor of creating cherished family portraits for Army service members and their families during the holiday seasons of 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2022. Our mission was to capture the joy and togetherness of these moments, providing families with lasting memories despite the challenges of military life.

The USO, since its inception in 1941, has stood as the nation’s leading organization supporting U.S. military members and their families. 

From the moment they join, through every assignment and deployment, and as they transition back to civilian life, the USO is steadfastly by their side. Being part of this tradition of service and support has been incredibly rewarding.

Our holiday portrait sessions at Ft. Hood were more than just photography gigs; they were opportunities to give back to those who sacrifice so much for our country. Each session involved setting up professional photography environments, coordinating with families, and ensuring every photo captured the warmth and bond of these extraordinary families. The smiles, laughter, and sometimes tears of joy we witnessed were testaments to the impact of our work.

Through this volunteer experience, I not only improved my technical photography skills but also learned the profound importance of empathy, patience, and community engagement. These experiences have shaped my approach as a corporate photographer, where I strive to capture not just images, but stories and emotions that resonate deeply.

Being a part of the USO Ft. Hood volunteer team has taught me the true power of photography in connecting and uplifting people. It’s an experience that continually inspires me to bring the same level of dedication and compassion to all my professional projects.

For more information about the USO and their invaluable work, please visit USO.org.

As a dedicated volunteer at St. Joseph Orthodox Church, I have had the privilege of serving in multiple roles that have enriched both my personal and professional life.

Since 2012, I have been honored to have been ordained as a Reader in the Orthodox Church. 

One of my most rewarding projects was producing and directing the 15th Anniversary Video for our parish in 2008. This endeavor involved coordinating interviews, capturing significant moments, and weaving them into a compelling narrative that celebrated our community's history and spirit. The project showcased my ability to blend creativity with technical expertise, resulting in a memorable tribute that continues to resonate with our congregation.

Volunteering at St. Joseph Orthodox Church has been a cornerstone of my life, fostering a deep sense of community and purpose. It has also provided me with invaluable skills such as leadership, collaboration, and project management, which I bring to my professional endeavors as a corporate photographer. 

My time at St. Joseph's has not only taught me the importance of capturing the essence of moments and translating them into meaningful visual stories but has also deeply influenced my personal and spiritual growth. 

At the church, I strive to unite myself with God and to be transformed into His image, learning to live a Christian life and grow in His grace. 

This spiritual journey guides my work in every corporate photography project I undertake, ensuring that my work reflects both my professional dedication and my commitment to living a life of grace.

For more information about St. Joseph Orthodox Church and our community, please visit: saintjosephorthodox.org.

Enhancing Your Brand’s Visual Storytelling with Stunning Corporate Headshots | Award-Winning Houston Corporate Photographer | 20+ Years that Elevates Brand Identity for 800+ Professionals including CNN, Fox News, ESPN

Do you know who you’re actually trying to reach?

It sounds simple.
Most companies can’t answer it with confidence.

They update their headshots.
Refresh their branding.
Launch new campaigns.

But none of it really sticks if the audience isn’t clear.

The most effective visuals aren’t just good photos.

They’re targeted messages.

They quietly signal:
• who you serve
• who you’re for
• and who you’re not trying to attract

They become silent magnets for the right clients,
and an easy filter for the wrong ones.

Before you plan your next headshot session or rebrand, ask yourself:

Who is this really for?
What do I want them to feel when they land on our site or scroll past our team photos?

If the answer is “everyone,”
it’s the same as saying “no one.”

Invest in clarity first.
Your images will do the rest.

Most booths at conferences blend together.

Same colors.
Same banners.
Same language.

From the aisle, everything looks interchangeable.

The booths that get remembered aren’t louder.
They’re clearer.

They use visuals that instantly answer three questions:

• Who are you for?
• What problem do you solve?
• Why should I trust you?

When those answers are visible from ten feet away,
people stop walking.

That’s not design.
That’s positioning.

Your visuals are either helping the right people find you,
or quietly helping them walk past.

There’s no middle ground.

If you’re responsible for hiring a photographer, the risk isn’t the images.

The risk is everything attached to them.

Deadlines. Stakeholders. Internal expectations. Usage questions. “Did we get what we needed?” conversations that happen weeks or months later.

Most marketing, operations, and procurement teams aren’t actually buying creativity. They’re buying predictability.

• Will this run on time?
• Will the assets work across channels without rework?
• Will I be able to stand behind the decision internally?

That’s why process, scope clarity, and experience matter just as much as the final visuals. The best projects are the ones where nothing becomes a follow-up problem.

If you’re planning a shoot in 2026 and want to sanity-check scope, usage, or production approach before anything gets booked, that’s a conversation worth having early.

Those are the conversations I spend most of my time in.

Most "professional" photos aren't really professional. 

They're safe. They're clean. They're just... fine.

But "fine" doesn't signal quality.

Here's the truth: It's not about fancier cameras or secret lighting tricks.

It's about standards.

The best imagery follows rules that most businesses never even think about, like:
- How a product or person is positioned
- Where highlights pull your eye
- How edges are separated from backgrounds
- How shadows create depth instead of clutter
- How your attention travels, frame by frame

These details don't shout, but they show. Premium images always have them. Generic ones don't.

Your audience might not be able to explain why your visuals look better. But they feel it right away.

Acceptable visuals tell people what you do. 
Exceptional visuals show how much your business cares.

That difference is the signal you send. And it matters.

Douglas N Burns

This is one of those stories that sounds funny after the fact.

Years ago, I was asked to grab a shot from a helicopter. Last-minute decision. 

No safety rig. No tether. No prep time. 

Just me, an open door, and a very expensive camera.

At the time, you do what you’re trained to do. 

You focus. You manage the risk in front of you. 

You get the shot and bring everything back in one piece.

Looking back, that moment taught me something that still shapes how I work today.

Experience isn’t about doing risky things.

It’s about recognizing risk early and designing systems so you don’t need heroics in the first place.

Most production failures don’t come from bad gear or lack of talent. 

They come from last-minute decisions without guardrails.

That’s why planning, constraints, and calm decision-making matter more than bravado. 

Especially when real money, real people, and real outcomes are involved.

The goal is never the dramatic story afterward.

The goal is for nothing dramatic to happen at all.

Want a quick way to boost your company's brand presence this year?

Standardize your team headshots.

Same background.
Same lighting.
Same framing.

It's the fastest way to make your website, proposals, and LinkedIn profiles look more polished and unified, without a giant overhaul.

Here's what it quietly solves:
- New hires no longer look out of place.
- Leadership photos feel like part of the same story.
- Your brand stays consistent as teams grow.

Most companies overlook these problems until their visual story gets messy.

A standardized headshot system fixes it all, fast.

This one small move can elevate your brand everywhere it appears.

Company photo days look simple from the outside.

They rarely are.

Behind the scenes, someone is usually juggling:

• schedules
• reminders
• outfit questions
• last-minute changes
• nervous team members
• and leadership expectations

All while still trying to do their actual job.

That hidden stress is real.
And most of it has nothing to do with photography.

It comes from not having a system.

The smoothest photo days aren’t smoother because the photographer is faster.

They’re smoother because the process was designed for people, not just pictures.

When that happens, the entire experience feels easier.

And that ease shows up in the final images.

If you’re responsible for coordinating company headshots and want a smoother process, comment clarity and I’ll share a short planning guide.

What if the real value of headshots isn't the photos?

It's the process.

It's how little disruption it causes.

How few internal emails get sent.

How quickly people move through, without waiting or rescheduling.

How clean the delivery is.

How rarely anyone needs to follow up.

A professional headshot day isn't about making people look good.

It's about keeping the workday running as usual, while the photos quietly get done in the background.

Less friction.
Less wasted time.
Happier teams.

That's the real ROI.

January and February are the unsung heroes of the business year.

These months are rarely chaotic.
The rush has not started.
Inboxes are not overflowing.
Teams have not hit full speed yet.

And that is exactly why they matter.

New hires are joining.
Last year’s goals are being reviewed and reset.
Leadership is thinking about how they want the company to show up for clients, partners, and their own teams.

This is the quiet window most organizations overlook.

I have seen it again and again.
Teams that update their headshots, team photos, and brand visuals early in the year gain a real advantage. Their websites feel current. Their LinkedIn profiles look cohesive. Their brand signals readiness.

They look organized before the year gets loud.

Wait too long and things get complicated. Calendars fill. Projects stack. Finding a clean window for something as simple as team photos turns into a logistical headache. What could have been easy becomes rushed.

The calm before the storm is not downtime.
It is leverage.

A polished visual presence is not about vanity.
It builds trust, credibility, and consistency long before a conversation ever starts.

The teams that invest in this window set the tone for the entire year.

Last week, I was running the live press-pool feed for the national media on behalf of Fox News.

This wasn't breaking news.
It was a planned cabinet-level press junket out in the middle of nowhere.

So the job was all logistics.

Government schedules.
Handlers moving the press pool from one spot to another.
Tight windows.
Constant repositioning.

And one thing was non-negotiable:

The signal back to New York had to be clean.
Images had to be spot-on.
Audio, rock solid.

All while staying mobile with a traveling pool of about 30 national press members, never missing a beat.

That's the part most people never see.

This work isn't about showing up with a camera.
It's about building systems that hold under pressure.

Most people think commercial photography is about making things look good.

They're wrong.

It's about making images that actually do something. 

That work for you after the event is long over.

Event coverage is about what happened.

Commercial photography is about what needs to happen next.

See the difference?

Different mindset. Different playbook.

You can't just show up and react. Every shot has a job. 

You need to know where an image will live, how long it needs to last, who it needs to convince, and what message it needs to carry when you're not around to explain it.

That changes everything:

- The way you design lighting.
- How you direct people.
- How you control every detail on set.

The camera itself? Least interesting piece of gear in the room.

The work that matters is the thinking before you ever pick it up.

That's what separates documentation from production. 

That's why the images that drive brands aren't made by accident.

If you treat them the same, you'll get results that look the same.

Lighting is where the story actually gets told.

Not the camera.
Not the lens.
Not the brand name on the gear.

In corporate environments especially, everything already looks “fine” by default. 

Offices are lit. Conference rooms are lit. Facilities are lit.

 None of that means the image is communicating anything.

Light is what controls:
• where attention goes
• what feels important
• what feels credible
• what feels human

Designing the lighting is about intent. 

It’s about deciding what the viewer should feel first, second, and last. 

Even small changes in direction, softness, or contrast can shift an image from flat documentation to something that actually carries meaning.

This matters just as much in corporate work as it does in advertising. Maybe more.

Because when the environment is neutral, light becomes the language.

Good lighting doesn’t announce itself.

It quietly supports the message and gets out of the way.

That’s the goal.

The best production work disappears.

No raised voices.

No fire drills.

No one scrambling to rescue the day.

That's not luck. That's the result of process, not personality.

People think the value is in those dramatic saves, the split-second creativity under pressure. 

But real professionals know better. 

Most of the work happens before anyone shows up.

Clear roles. Dead simple timelines. 

Contingencies baked in long before opening night.

The reward? Calm. 

If the room feels steady, the prep paid off. 

If the message hits clean, execution did its job.

Quiet shows aren't boring. They're proof of discipline.

Nobody remembers the chaos you avoided , but clients remember how easy you made it feel.

Most people decide whether they trust your company before anyone from your team ever says a word.

It happens quietly.

They scroll your website.
They check out your team on LinkedIn.
They scan your "About" page.

What are they really asking themselves?

Does this team look credible?
Do they look established?
Would I want to work with them?

Your visuals answer those questions instantly, long before anyone reads your story or your pitch.

That's why headshots and brand photos aren't just a nice-to-have. They're not just about looking good.

They're part of your sales process, whether you think about them that way or not.

Every image you share is an invitation. Make sure your first impression is doing the heavy lifting for you.

Most team headshot days don’t fail because of lighting.

They fail because of process.

People don’t know where to go.
Calendars stack on top of each other.
Time blocks drift.
Someone misses their slot.
Another person shows up late.
IT gets pulled in.
Comms starts chasing files.

What was supposed to be “quick and easy” quietly turns into a half-day disruption.

That’s not a photography problem.
That’s a workflow problem.

If you’re responsible for organizing team photos, I put together a short planning guide that walks through how to run these cleanly with minimal disruption.

Happy to share it.

The goal of a team headshot day is not photos.

It is credibility.

It is consistency across every place your company shows up.

It is the quiet signal that your team is organized, current, and trustworthy before anyone ever speaks to you.

Websites.
LinkedIn profiles.
Proposals.
Press pages.
Email signatures.

These details compound.

They influence how people perceive your brand long before they interact with it.

A clean, current visual presence does not just make you look good.

It makes everything you do feel more legitimate.

And legitimacy is what actually moves business forward.

This week, I got a sharp reminder.

You never regret making time for the people who matter.

Last weekend, I sat with a friend who knew his time was short. I'm grateful I was there. He was the real deal. Loved life, loved God, loved his family.

Work? It'll be there tomorrow. Messages will pile up. Calendars will shift. None of that matters when someone needs you, right now.

What stays with you? The mornings you didn't postpone. The time you showed up. The moments you chose to be present.

I'm lucky I can build my work around life, not the other way around. Because no job should ever crowd out real life.

That's the perspective I needed this week.

Don't wait to show up for the people you care about.

Sometimes the open road is part of the job.

Long, quiet drives either on the way to an assignment or on the way home.
Open skies.

Miles of empty highway.

This is the space where a lot of the real work actually happens.

You replay conversations.

You think through what went right and what you would tighten up next time.

You mentally rebuild systems, processes, and workflows so the next job runs cleaner than the last.

Most people only see the finished photos or the polished deliverables.

They don’t see the hours between locations, the miles, the resets, or the thinking time that makes everything sharper.

For me, those drives are where clarity shows up.

And clarity is what makes the work better long before the camera ever comes out again.

People trust stable brands before they trust impressive ones.

It starts with consistency.
Predictability.
Purpose.

That feeling of steadiness builds trust, even before someone reads your copy or meets your team.

And trust is almost always visual first.

When your brand's visuals follow a system, your company feels established.

If they don't, your brand feels accidental, no matter how good your work really is.

Headshots aren't the whole brand, but they're a quick signal of whether you're intentional or just winging it.

People pick up on that, even if they can't put it into words.

Helen Yu

CEO @Tigon Advisory Corp. | Host of CXO Spice | Board Director |Top 50 Women in Tech | AI, Cybersecurity, FinTech, Insurance, Industry40, Growth Acceleration

As the founder and CEO of Tigon Advisory, I help tech companies of all sizes multiply their growth opportunities by leveraging AI, cybersecurity, IoT, supply chain, and customer experience. With over a decade of technology industry experience, I offer CXO-as-a-service and guidance to organizations through digital transformation, strategic planning, enterprise risk management, go-to-market optimization, and influencer marketing.

I have worked with enterprise clients such as SAP, IBM, Salesforce and Microsoft, as well as B2B SaaS, Fintech, Insuretech, and Martech startups. I also serve as an independent board director and a venture capital advisor, where I bring a unique perspective on technology thought leadership, cybersecurity risk management, go-to-market strategy, and customer experience. I am a certified cybersecurity expert from MIT Sloan School of Management, an MBA from Loyola University of Chicago, and a respected industry thought leader, a Wall Street Journal best selling author, a keynote speaker, and a host of CXO Spice podcast. I am passionate about empowering and mentoring the next generation of technology leaders, especially women and minorities.

Director Board of Directors

CEC is a security service integrator with focus markets in manufacturing, healthcare, SLED and Corporate Campus.  Customers with complicated organizations and physical plants rely on CEC as extensions of their teams in making strategic investment and management decisions related to their technology and infrastructure. I serve as Culture and Compensation Committee Chair. 

Is your data infrastructure ready for the robotics era?

At #CES, I reconnected with Spencer Huang, Product Lead for Robotics at NVIDIA to get an update on Cosmos and GR00T.

His statement resonated with me: the companies winning in robotics have stopped waiting for perfect models. They're capturing data NOW.

Three insights that changed how I think about this space:
✅ The data problem is here 2026 will see a massive influx of real-world robotic data. But Spencer warns: "It's very easy to generate lots of data that's not useful." Winners will build pipelines to curate and synthesize quality data.
✅ Hybrid tasks = biggest opportunity The sweet spot are tasks too complex for traditional robots but not complex enough to need general AI. This is where companies can deploy TODAY.
✅ Dual simulation unlocks scale Cosmos provides diversity through natural language. Omniverse delivers physical precision. Together, they solve what seemed impossible: infinite scenarios with accurate physics.

Spencer's key insight: "If you want to leverage the technologies coming out in a year or two, capturing that data today is extremely crucial."

The inflection point for Robotics is here. What's your move?
Full insights: https://lnkd.in/gUMawp8m

#Robotics #AI #PhysicalAI #Manufacturing #Innovation

To stay current with the latest trends in #Technology and #Innovation, Subscribe to 👉 #CXOSpiceNewsletter here https://lnkd.in/gy2RJ9xg 
or 👉 #CXOSpiceYouTube here https://lnkd.in/gnMc-Vpj

"It's completely infeasible in the robotics space to assume one company can solve this, because we have to represent the entire world. It's not just t

Open article: The Future of Physical AI: Key Insights from NVIDIA's Robotics Product Lead at CES by Helen Yu • 5 min read

The Future of Physical AI: Key Insights from NVIDIA's Robotics Product Lead at CES

The ChatGPT Moment for #Robotics Is Here.

Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA delivered one of the most significant keynotes at CES, and the message is clear: physical AI breakthroughs are unlocking entirely new applications.

Just as ChatGPT transformed how we interact with AI through language, we're now witnessing a parallel revolution in the physical world. 

Huang predicts this could become the largest technology industry the world has ever seen, driven by three key pillars: agentic AI, self-driving cars, and humanoid robots.

Here are Key Announcements:
✅ NVIDIA Cosmos - A world foundation model platform trained on 20 million hours of real-world robotics and driving videos, enabling developers to create realistic simulations for testing autonomous systems
✅ Drive AV Stack - Mercedez Benz CLA achieved the highest Euro NCAP safety score in 2025, with urban driving capabilities rolling out via OTA updates in just over a year
✅ Isaac Robotics Platform - Open frameworks including Groot 1.6 with Cosmos Reason integration, enabling generalist-specialist robots that combine broad knowledge with deep expertise
✅Jetson Thor T4-1000 - Delivering 1,200 teraflops of AI compute at just 40-70 watts, making advanced robotics accessible at scale

The shift is already happening. Hundreds of billions in VC funding and trillions in R&D budgets are transitioning from classical computing methods to AI. Companies from Boston Dynamics to LEM Surgical AG are building on this platform to transform everything from manufacturing to healthcare.

Stay tuned for my conversation wtih Spencer Huang to get the latest update on Cosmos and GR00T. 

We're moving from AI that perceives and generates to AI that perceives, reasons, plans, and acts in the physical world. The future isn't just thinking machines; it's machines that can navigate our reality safely and intelligently.

What applications of physical AI are you most excited about? 

#CES2025 #PhysicalAI #Robotics #AutonomousVehicles #AI #Innovation #NVIDIAPartner

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What better way to kick off the new year than “Everybody” at Sphere with robots? 🤖🎶

The Backstreet Boys’ performance at Sphere was a reminder that when music, immersive tech, and robotics collide, the future feels very present. High energy, iconic sound, and yes… robots stealing the show.

That momentum carries straight into #CES this week, where I’ll be diving deeper into what’s next through interviews on:
✅ Robotics (Cosmos and GR00T Year One)
✅ Smarter AI for Enterprises
✅ Intelligent Product Lifecycle

From the stage to the show floor, innovation is setting the rhythm for 2026.
Stay tuned as the future of AI, robotics, and intelligent systems takes center stage.

#CES2026 #Robotics #AI #Enterprises #Engineering #HNY

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What happens when Physical AI moves from demos to real-world deployment at scale, in motion, and in the operating room?

The NVIDIA Physical AI Showcase at CES had answers everywhere.
This short video captures some of the most memorable moments.

My favorite highlights:
✅ Miroki by Enchanted Tools
A familiar face from NVIDIA GTC last year - this social, general-purpose robot is designed to support patients through care, restorative, and cognitive assistance, making human-centered robotics tangible.
✅ Reachy Mini by Reachy.ai + NVIDIA DGX Spark
I got hands-on creating a stylized image with Reachy Mini, powered by NVIDIA DGX Spark. A fun, experimental process even though the result looked more like Shrek than me 😄.
✅ TRINITY – will.i.am’s one-seat EV concept
Focused on situational awareness, TRINITY lets drivers talk to AI about traffic and surroundings in real time, processing vision locally to understand the physical world beyond a map.
✅ LEM Surgical: From Innovation to Standard of Care
Already FDA 510(k) cleared and in routine clinical use, the Dynamis system shows how NVIDIA Physical AI is advancing robotic surgery toward greater autonomy and perception.
✅ AGIBOT at Scale
AGIBOT has shipped its 5,000th humanoid robot, now deployed across hospitality, manufacturing, logistics, security, and education; proof that humanoids are moving beyond prototypes.
✅ Reconnecting with Spencer Huang (NVIDIA Robotics)
A great conversation on what Physical AI enables next and how it’s moving from research to real-world impact. Stay tuned for the upcoming CXO Spice newsletter where I will be sharing more about our conversation.

Physical AI is no longer a glimpse of the future; it’s unfolding now across healthcare, mobility, and humanoid robotics.

To stay current with the latest trends in #Technology and #Innovation,
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What does 'durability over speed' require from boards and executive teams in practice?

What is emerging at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week - ADSW is a view of leadership grounded in clarity and long-term alignment. Progress at scale is being discussed as something enabled by governance, consistency, and disciplined decision-making, rather than driven by momentum or messaging.

Partnerships are being framed as deliberate and earned, built on trust, shared values, and continuity over time. That framing will resonate with boards and executive teams operating in complex environments, where durability matters more than speed.

This perspective was articulated by Dr. Sultan Al Jaber during the opening ceremony and sits within a broader UAE emphasis on long-term alignment. Values are being positioned as a practical guide for how investments are assessed, how partners are chosen, and how progress is measured, with attention focused on systems that can hold over decades.

#ADSW2025 #Sustainability #ESG #CorporateGovernance #ClimateAction
To stay current with the latest trends in #Technology and #Innovation,
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What separates AI leaders from followers in financial services?

I'm pleased to share my perspective as quoted in sixth annual NVIDIA State of AI in Financial Services report: 89% of financial institutions report AI is increasing revenue while decreasing costs, and 65% are now actively deploying AI.

Here's my perspective on what matters:
"Open-source models are fundamentally changing the competitive dynamics in financial AI. The real value capture happens when institutions fine-tune these models on their proprietary transaction data, customer interaction histories and market intelligence, creating AI capabilities that competitors cannot replicate."

The institutions winning in AI are treating proprietary data as a strategic advantage. With 84% prioritizing open-source models and 42% exploring agentic AI, we're witnessing the foundation of competitive differentiation being built right now.

Download NVIDIA’s "State of AI in Financial Services: 2026 Trends" report to see where the industry is heading and how leaders are capturing value: https://nvda.ws/3ZqjDoW

#FinancialServices #AI #Innovation #CFO #CIO

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Are you keeping up with AI infrastructure as it rapidly evolves?

Mark your calendar for NVIDIA AI Infrastructure Certification and get a comprehensive look at NVIDIA’s AI infrastructure certification portfolio across associate and professional levels. It is designed for network engineers, DevOps and MLOps professionals, data center specialists, technical leaders, and early career technologists looking to validate their skills, stay competitive, and prepare for what’s next in the AI ecosystem.

What you will learn:
✅ What’s new with NVIDIA Certification and how it aligns with AI infrastructure, networking, and operations
✅ Which exam is right for you or your team and why
✅ Practical exam prep strategies, sample questions, and study guidance
✅ A preview of the hands-on professional exams launching in 2026
✅ Live Q and A with certification experts

Bonus for attendees: Receive an exclusive 50% off exam discount code

January 29 | Two live sessions, one hour each:
EMEA and APAC: 9 a.m. CET | 1:30 p.m. IST | 4 p.m. SGT
Americas and LATAM: 9 a.m. PT | 2 p.m. BRT

Featuring experts from NVIDIA and Computacenter, including Marco Alves, Gary F., and Brad Christian.

👉 Register now to secure your spot:
https://lnkd.in/giE55_pi

#NVIDIA #AIInfrastructure #AICertification #DevOps #MLOps #Networking #DataCenter #CareerGrowth #FutureSkills

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When 75% of your customer data is out of reach—how do you fix that?

I recently hosted John Picinich, Director of Product Management at Progress Software on CXO Spice, and the first step for fixing fractured data foundations he shared resonated with me: "Once governance is standardized, you can layer automation, managed file transfer, APIs, and AI data feeds much more easily because everything becomes more scalable and secure by default."

Here's what keeps me up at night:
Financial institutions are pouring millions into AI, fraud prevention, and customer experience initiatives. Yet most are building on quicksand and fragmented systems limiting them to only accessing 25% of their own customer data.

The institutions winning today understand three things:
✅ Data fragmentation is a competitive liability
✅ You can't retrofit security; it must be built into the foundation
✅ Governance comes before AI, automation, or any other shiny object

John shared something that resonates with what I see across industries: "The human element is the weakest link."
Consistent policies. Centralized governance. Standardized frameworks.
That’s the difference between scaling confidently and collapsing under your own complexity.  Check out the Highmark Federal Credit Union transformation story.

Watch CXO Spice where John and I explore practical strategies for secure data movement, responsible AI implementation, and building the infrastructure that determines whether you'll lead or lag in the next decade: https://lnkd.in/gPq8B8Tg

#DataStrategy #FinancialServices #CyberSecurity #DigitalTransformation #AI

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”Once governance is standardized, you can layer automation, managed file transfer, APIs, and AI data feeds much more easily because everything becomes

Open article: The Data Strategy Imperative for Financial Institutions by Helen Yu • 6 min read

The Data Strategy Imperative for Financial Institutions

When a cyberattack hits, will your board lead or scramble?
✅ The average data breach now costs $4.88M globally and $9.3M in the U.S.
✅ 99% of ransomware attacks target backups, with recovery taking 24 days on average.
✅ 75% of security leaders say AI-powered attacks are already having a major impact.

This threat landscape is active and accelerating today.

AI and quantum computing are reshaping the threat landscape faster than most organizations can adapt. Building higher walls won’t save you when attackers scale faster, smarter, and cheaper.

Cybersecurity is no longer just a CISO issue; it’s a boardroom mandate.

Leading organizations are changing the playbook:
✅ From preventing everything → to managing acceptable risk
✅ From defense-first → to rapid response and recovery
✅ From cost center → to strategic business enabler

Read more from my blog: Is your board of directors truly leading on cyber readiness?
👉 https://lnkd.in/gMYj4TvD

Tune in Tuesday for the release of the 2026 Outlook for Identity Management Report to learn how boards and security leaders can stay ahead of the threat curve.

The convergence is underway and board preparedness will separate leaders from laggards.

#Cybersecurity #RiskManagement #BoardDirectors #CEOs 

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What does 3,500 people, a snowstorm, and cloud ERP innovation have in common? ❄️

I’m in Seattle for my first Acumatica Summit, where the focus is clear: business results today driven by people and powered by Community.

This 18-second video was captured at SEA Airport and tonight’s welcome reception, offering a quick glimpse of the journey here and the momentum building as partners get ready to showcase their solutions despite travel disruptions from the snowstorm.

Looking forward to the opening keynote and conversations with John Case, CEO of Acumatica, Nick Novy, CEO of Korpack, an Acumatica customer and Paul Tedford, CEO of WM Synergy, an Acumatica partner.

Let’s get started—building the future of business together.

👉 To get the latest updates from the Acumatica Summit, subscribe to
#CXOSpiceNewsletter: https://lnkd.in/gy2RJ9xg or #CXOSpiceYouTube: https://lnkd.in/gnMc-Vpj

#AcumaticaSummit #CloudERP #AI #Seattle

Are you losing talent because your systems look like they're from 2005?

At last week's Acumatica Summit, Paul Tedford, CEO of WM Synergy, shared a sobering reality: One of his manufacturing prospects is bleeding young talent because workers refuse to learn outdated technology.

Sound familiar?

After guiding 2,000+ companies through ERP modernization, Paul's seen the same pattern:
🔴 30% of the manufacturing workforce is 55+ (the "gray tsunami")
🔴 Manufacturing is now the #1 target for ransomware
🔴 Companies start with technology and work backward (big mistake)

The companies that succeed do three things differently.
I break down Paul's framework in my latest newsletter including the hidden critical success factor most companies overlook.

Read the full insights from this week’s #CXOSpice newsletter or
Watch our conversation: https://lnkd.in/gTQKGfA9

#CloudERP #DigitalTransformation #AcumaticaSummit #AI #Manufacturing 

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"I was talking to one of our prospects in Connecticut who runs a manufacturing company. He said one of the biggest reasons they're looking at new soft

Open article: Is Your Mid-Sized Company Ready for Modern ERP? Key Insights from the Acumatica Summit by Helen Yu • 6 min read

Is Your Mid-Sized Company Ready for Modern ERP? Key Insights from the Acumatica Summit

Are aerial robots quietly redefining how solar assets are maintained?

Drone-based cleaning is moving beyond novelty and into practical use. Instead of ground robots or rooftop crews, lightweight drones can now clear dust and sand from panels without contact; an important advantage for large solar farms where access is difficult and soiling losses add up fast.

What stands out is the operating model:
✅ Inspection and cleaning in a single pass
✅ No scaffolding or full-array shutdowns
✅ Far lower water use than conventional methods

This reframes cleaning from a periodic task into an ongoing maintenance process. It’s a subtle shift, but one that could compound into meaningful efficiency gains at scale.

It is still early, but this is a case where robotics fits the problem unusually well.

#Robotics #Solar #Drone #Innovation

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taplio

The Battle

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Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Douglas Burns's LinkedIn Performance

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