Arkaro Insights: adapt and thrive in complexity

Arkaro Insights: adapt and thrive in complexity brings together practitioners and researchers for honest, practical conversations on leadership, change and innovation in a complex, adaptive world.

Each episode gives B2B executives the thinking and tools to lead transformation, not just manage it — whether in agriculture, food, chemicals or any industry where complexity is the daily reality.

We explore four interconnected themes:

The AI Implementation Blueprint — how leaders cut through the hype and embed AI as a genuine organisational capability

The Human Edge — the neuroscience and psychology of change, creativity and decision-making under uncertainty

Outside-In Innovation — customer needs, market signals and the disciplines that turn insight into growth

Strategy for Complex Adaptive Systems — emergent strategy, integrated business planning and leading organisations that learn and adapt

Hosted by Mark Blackwell, founder of Arkaro, a B2B consultancy that works alongside clients in a collaborative 'do it with you' approach, leaving behind sustainable solutions, not just a slide deck.

"We don't just coach — we get on the pitch with you."

Connect With Us

💬 We'd love to hear from you! What topics would you like us to explore in future podcast episodes? Drop us a message or connect with us to learn more about Arkaro's approach.

🔗 Visit us at www.arkaro.com

👥 Follow our updates: Arkaro on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/arkaro/

📧 Email us at: mark@arkaro.com

Guest

Defne Saral

Defne Saral is the Senior Vice President and Head of Global Strategic Accounts at ofi (Olam Food Ingredients), a leading global supplier of natural and sustainable ingredients. Based in Amsterdam, she focuses on building long-term partnerships and translating on-the-ground sustainability programs into commercial value for B2B customers.

Prior to this, Defne served as SVP Sales EMENA for ofi and Global Managing Director of Sales at FrieslandCampina Ingredients. Her career also includes global leadership positions at DowDuPont and brand management at Philip Morris International. She holds an MBA from IMD and a BSc in Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania.

Passionate about commercial excellence and sustainable food systems, Defne joins the Arkaro Insights podcast to discuss the complexities of African smallholder agriculture and how to "orchestrate change without commanding it" across decentralized global supply chains.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/defne-saral/

Guest appearance on:

Regenerative Agriculture at Scale: Data, Satellites, and Smallholder Farmers with Defne Saral, ofi