The Digital Executive

A Top Spotify Tech Podcast & US Verified Publication. Ranked #9 in Tech Podcasts in Apple Podcasts.

Author

Suzanne Huber
January 02, 2026

This month’s edition of The Digital Executive features leaders advancing how organizations plan, scale, and innovate in an era defined by cloud, AI, and intelligent systems. We open with Ankit Chopra of Neo4j, who shares how adaptive financial models are reshaping planning and decision-making for cloud and AI portfolios. Ola Sars of Soundtrack takes us inside the evolution of the only global B2B music streaming platform built for business, while Nick Spina of Denovia reveals how rapid depolymerization technology could redefine the future of plastic recycling.

Also in this issue: the crypto trends shaping global finance in 2026, a practical look at modern business process optimization, what to consider when comparing brokerages for active strategies, and why Gen Z is embracing crypto faster than any generation before.

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— The Digital Executive Team

GAME CHANGERS

Visionary Voices

A CONVERSATION WITH ANKIT CHOPRA

Over the past decade, Ankit has led initiatives that transform how organizations forecast, price, and optimize large-scale technology investments, combining financial discipline with advanced data science and automation. In financial planning for cloud, AI, and agentic systems, he has developed adaptive forecasting models and pricing frameworks that simulate consumption, predict cost behavior, and guide capital allocation across complex cloud and AI portfolios. These models have enabled companies to improve predictability, gross margin, and resource utilization through dynamic, data-driven planning. Listen in here.

Visionary Voices

BUILDING THE GLOBAL MUSIC PLATFORM FOR BUSINESS

Originally founded as a joint effort with Spotify, Sars has transformed Soundtrack into the only global B2B streaming service of its kind servicing over 80,000 businesses across 74 countries with a music catalog of more than 100 million tracks cleared for commercial use. Under Sars’ leadership, Soundtrack has grown by 60% year-over-year, closed a $15M pre-growth funding round with investment from some of the most formidable music industry investors and forged partnerships with iconic brands such as Uniqlo, Dr. Martens, Four Seasons, Kiehl’s, Joe & The Juice and Tag Heuer, to name a few.

Visionary Voices

REWRITING RECYCLING WITH RAPID DEPOLYMERIZATION

Nick Spina is not just another founder in the cleantech space — he’s leading a company with the potential to rewrite the future of recycling. As the CEO of Denovia, Nick and his team have developed game-changing depolymerization technology that can turn plastic waste back into its chemical building blocks in just minutes.

THE DIGITAL EXECUTIVE PODCAST

FEATURED STORIES

Innovation

EMERGING TECH

CRYPTO TRENDS SHAPING GLOBAL FINANCE IN 2026

In 2026, Crypto will evolve from a disruptor outside of the global finance to now being a part of it. Maturity of crypto trends is indicated by institutional adoption, strategic participation, and measurable market growth, rather than hype.

BUSINESS PROCESS OPTIMIZATION: A PRACTICAL GUIDE

Many businesses nowadays are moving away from the traditional three-tier architecture because it’s slow, hard to scale, and expensive. With hyperconverged infrastructure, faster deployment, scalability, and centralized management become easy.

WHAT REALLY MATTERS WHEN YOU’RE COMPARING BROKERAGES FOR ACTIVE STRATEGIES

Choosing the right brokerage is crucial when engaging in active trading strategies. Whether you’re a day trader, swing trader, or someone pursuing options, selecting the right platform can enhance your strategies and improve outcomes. In this article, we will break down the most important factors to consider when comparing brokerages for active strategies, offering a comprehensive guide to making an informed decision.

WHY GEN Z IS EMBRACING CRYPTO FASTER THAN ANY GENERATION BEFORE

Many young users are skeptical of big institutions. That skepticism did not vanish after market crashes or platform blowups. Yet, curiosity is what keeps the door open. A recent brief reported broad doubts about crypto’s reliability among Americans, but interest remains sticky with younger adults who treat it as a skill to test, not a belief to hold.

They compare cards, apps, and budgets in public. Get familiar with Gen Z financial habits today and know how crypto fits this agenda.

Thank you for joining us in the intersection of innovation and leadership. The Digital Executive Newsletter exists to amplify the voices of changemakers shaping the future across industries and geographies. We hope the insights and stories featured in this issue have sparked new ideas and empowered you to elevate your own impact.