Every successful human endeavor is a saga wherein inspiration is inbuilt at the very foundation of the journey, throughout. Like the quote in Darrick “DJ” Johnson’s email signature says: “The highest human act is to inspire.” — Ermias Asghedom. That is DJ’s mission—to inspire through action, access, and effort. “If I can do that, both professionally and personally, then I know I’m walking in purpose,” he insists. Because, when he thinks about his broader purpose, he always aspires to create the greatest possible positive impact, professionally and personally. For DJ, it’s always been bigger than just the job or the title — it’s about creating a legacy of access, belief, and opportunity. He’s from Compton, California, a place where the odds weren’t built in their favor. However, he made a promise early on: if he ever made it out, he’d reach back and build platforms, not just resumes. That mindset has shaped everything he does — from his work in big tech to founding Sherpa Clouds Inc., a software company built to empower sports agents and teams with data, insights, and tools that have traditionally been out of reach for so many. Divine Detour: From Cloud Sales to Calling When asked what drew him to focus on the intersection of data, AI, and human potential, DJ says, “To be honest, it wasn’t something I intentionally set out to pursue — it felt more like a divine detour than a carefully mapped-out plan.” Like many people in tech, he originally aimed to sell cloud infrastructure because that’s where the money was. But as the saying goes, ‘You make plans, and God laughs.’ DJ was fortunate enough to be one of the first AI-focused sellers hired at Microsoft, and that experience placed him right at the intersection of AI and data. He witnessed firsthand how emerging technology could transform industries, not just in theory, but in real-world use cases. That exposure pushed him to deepen his understanding: He went back to school, earned his master’s degree from Georgetown University, and even took computer science courses at Grand Canyon University to learn how to code. The Birth of Sherpa: Turning a Pivot into Purpose Those experiences sparked curiosity. DJ started wondering: “Why aren’t more people exploring the intersection of technology and sports? Why aren’t we equipping agents and teams with the tools they need to make smarter decisions for the players they serve?” That led him to build Sherpa, a modern CRM, or what DJ calls a PRM (Player Relationship Management System). After 15 years of playing football, running his own agency, and working with some of the biggest software companies in the world, he realized this wasn’t just a pivot — it was purpose. In DJ’s words, he didn’t find this path — it found him. And now he’s all in. Whether he’s mentoring, speaking, or building tech, he wants people to see what’s possible. “I want them to know that the journey from adversity to innovation is real. Or as I call it:” “From Compton to the Cloud: Breaking Barriers, Building Futures!” Being a Technology Executive, while learning and building AI & Data Platforms, DJ’s professional journey has spanned dynamic roles in technology and leadership. However, growing up playing sports taught him one lesson he’s carried into every stage of his career: effort is the one thing you can always control. In both sports and tech, there are plenty of uncontrollable — layoffs, office politics, product setbacks—but DJ has learned to focus on how he shows up. That means being on time, showing up as a true team player, never assuming he’s the smartest in the room, and always striving to be just 1% better every day. That mindset has taken him far, from roles at Dell, SonicWall, Cloudera, Apple, and Microsoft to now building his own SaaS company, Sherpa. “Effort got me here. And effort will keep me here,” he emphasizes. DJ has been in tech since 2012, right after returning from the CFL. “But the true turning point came when Jason Carter, now CRO at SonicWall, gave me my first real shot. He hired me as an ISR and later promoted me to Account Executive.” That role changed everything. DJ learned not just how to sell cybersecurity solutions, but how to think critically about how customers protect, store, and leverage their data. He shares, “Now, I’d be lying if I said I foresaw generative AI back in 2015 — but what I did recognize was that every customer cared deeply about three things: How will we protect our data? Where will we store our data? How can we do more with our data?” Fast forward to today — everyone’s talking about AI. But what people often overlook is this: AI is only as good as the data it’s built on. If AI is the quarterback of the team, data is the offensive line. And no matter how talented the quarterback is, they can’t operate without protection. That analogy has stayed with DJ throughout his career because in both football and tech, the fundamentals matter most. Leading with Faith, Anchored by Family DJ lives by four core principles: Faith, Family, Health, and Wealth — and he carries these with him in every decision he makes, especially as a leader. Faith is about believing — not just spiritually, but in the mission, in the people you lead, and in the vision you’re building toward. Leading in tech requires faith that what you’re working on will matter, and that your team will execute when it counts. Family has always been DJ’s anchor. He’s worked at some incredible organizations, and learned that what truly defines a company is its culture. He treats his team like family “because at the end of the day, we’re all more than just titles — we’re parents, sons, daughters, and friends.” Health keeps him grounded. If he’s not well physically, mentally, or emotionally, he can’t lead others. And Wealth to him isn’t just about money — it’s

The Indian life insurance sector is evolving at a rapid pace, being driven by the need for increased financial security, widespread digitalization, and the push for increased accessibility. As this shift has taken place, penetration in insurance remains low, creating a gigantic opportunity to grow. Policybazaar, which is one of the leading online insurance aggregators, is at the center of this revolution, simplifying insurance for millions and bringing it to underserved segments across the country. Vivek Jain is Policybazaar’s Chief Business Officer, Life Insurance. With deep experience in consulting, startups, and Policybazaar leadership, he provides insightful inputs on industry trends, technological disruption, and company vision. The following insightful interview profile offers a glance at his journey, perspective on the industry, and customer-focused approach of Policybazaar. Interviewer: Hello everyone, today we have Vivek Jain, the Chief Business Officer, Life Insurance, Policybazaar with us. Vivek, could you please brief about yourself, your past journey, and then we can start? Vivek: Hi! I graduated from IIM Calcutta in 2013 and started my career in consulting with Boston Consulting Group for about two and a half years, where I worked across industries in BFSI and retail, as well as consumer goods. It was a very diverse experience. Then, I briefly worked for a couple of years with an auto-tech startup and have been with Policybazaar for over seven years now. Interviewer: How did you encounter your current role at Policybazaar? Vivek: In the last seven years at Policybazaar, I have handled multiple roles. I started by setting up a part of the term insurance business way back in 2018. Term was always a big part of the Policybazaar portfolio, but we were trying to establish a new segment within it. In those first one and a half years, I was involved in both sales and the business and strategy side. Then, for the next five years, I led the savings business, and for the last four months, I have been the Chief Business Officer, leading the life insurance business, including both term and savings. Interviewer: What leadership principles guide you in steering the life insurance business at Policybazaar? Vivek: At Policybazaar, the customer is at the center of everything we do. Any innovation, whether on the product, business, or process side, is designed for the customer. Our guiding principle is to win the customer’s trust and do what is right for them, creating transparency and helping them choose the most suitable products and plans. Interviewer: How have you observed the Indian life insurance market transform over the past decade, especially with the advent of digital platforms? Vivek: Over the last ten years, we’ve come a long way in life insurance, but there’s still a long way to go as the penetration in India is still in the low single digits. However, people are starting to better understand the importance of term and life insurance. With new-age and online platforms like Policybazaar, we see a lot of traffic coming from not just metro cities but also Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. There is growing awareness, but much work remains. Interviewer: Did you notice any change post-pandemic? Vivek: Post-pandemic, several things happened. People became more aware that they should have term and health insurance because life is very unpredictable. During COVID-19, even young people faced risks, and if they were the only breadwinner, their families suffered. Experiencing that phase made people realize the importance of these products, and we’ve since seen more people coming to our website to understand the plans. Interviewer: Did you introduce any changes to policy coverage due to COVID-19? Vivek: Regarding life insurance, any kind of death except suicide in the first year is covered in all life insurance policies, including death due to any pandemic like COVID-19. There was no significant change in terms and conditions because of the pandemic. Interviewer: What shifts have you noticed in customer behavior regarding life insurance purchases, and how has Policybazaar adapted? Vivek: We now get a lot of traffic from outside metros and Tier 1 cities. People are becoming more comfortable making payments online and are becoming digitally savvy. We’ve created streamlined digital journeys focused on customer experience. In the last three to four years, we’ve also built significant “feet on street” capacity. About 2,000 people are available across 70-80 major cities to meet customers, explain, and help them choose the right plans—this helps build trust and reach areas others might not. Interviewer: How is Policybazaar leveraging technological advancements to enhance customer experience in purchasing life insurance? Vivek: We have always provided a smooth, engaging digital journey, with deep integrations with our insurance partners that allow customers to research and compare policies online. In the past three to four years, we’ve developed AI and machine learning tools to identify risky customers at the application stage, including face and voice matching with documentation, which helps prevent fraud and impersonation at the source. This benefits both genuine customers and insurers. Interviewer: Can you share an example of how Policybazaar has gone above and beyond to assist a customer during the claim process? Vivek: We have a dedicated claims assistance program. For every life insurance policy issued, we send the nominee a claims card with a helpline number. Anyone needing help can call, and we will assist with the process. There have been many instances where nominees are not familiar with the process or are doubtful about claim payouts. In some cases, we send team members in person to help at the claimant’s home, especially if forms are complicated or the family is in emotional distress. Interviewer: What are the current trends in life insurance that you believe can shape its future? Vivek: Several trends are emerging. We now have special plans for NRIs, allowing them to buy term insurance with video medicals from abroad. We have also started a new segment for women, offering discount plans and features like critical illness cover and health management services. Another innovation is the smart exit feature, which

Few people exhibit resilience and transformative leadership like Dr. Ruchi Mishra Sharma in a world where unseen hardships frequently overshadow obvious achievements. Behind honors, medical certifications, and international speaking engagements is a tale of exceptional bravery and unwavering resolve rather than one of ease. Her path, which was shaped by her own trauma and deep recovery, has developed into a mission that affects people’s lives on other continents. She is no stranger to reinvention, having had medical training in India and subsequently requalified in the UK. Her most striking metamorphosis, however, started in the private moments of introspection when old scars cried out for a voice, not in an operating room or examination room. She overcame the darkness of postpartum depression and childhood sexual trauma by refusing to remain silent. Rather, she transformed her suffering into meaning. She is leading today with a potent fusion of emotional intelligence and clinical understanding. As the creator of Freedom and Empowerment Hypnotherapy with Ruchi, she is helping women in overcoming trauma by using innovative techniques like coaching, heart healing, and Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT). Her strategy, which is based on empathy, sincerity, and strong clarity, has completely changed the way that people think about leadership in healing environments. The tale of Dr. Sharma is one of legacy in motion rather than merely one of survival. Her leadership is serving as an example of what can happen when someone has the courage to stand up, not only for themselves but also for the innumerable others who are still trying to break free from quiet. The Weight of Silence Dr. Sharma’s journey began in an Indian household where academic achievement was paramount, where success was measured by degrees and societal standing. The studious girl who would become a medical doctor carried a secret that nearly destroyed her sexual abuse endured at the age of five, buried so deeply that she convinced herself it couldn’t affect her life. “I thought I had buried it so far deep inside that it could not affect my life. But the reality was that the shadows of it gripped me; I was living in a cage.” she reflects. The cage manifested in various forms throughout her life. Despite her academic success earning her MBBS in 2008 and MS in Ophthalmology in 2011 she struggled with self-worth and identity. When she moved to the UK in 2011, she had to rebuild her medical career from scratch, as her Indian qualifications weren’t recognized. The determined doctor cleared the challenging PLAB 1 and 2 exams in 2012, demonstrating the resilience that would later define her transformation. The Breaking Point The birth of her son in 2020 should have been a joyous milestone, but it became the catalyst for Dr. Sharma’s deepest crisis. Postpartum depression consumed her, and the accumulated weight of decades of suppressed trauma threatened to crush her spirit entirely. “I remember looking deep into my son’s eyes, with the heat of uncontrollable tears streaming down my cheeks, as I felt completely helpless. I had hit rock bottom. I struggled with low self-confidence, low self-esteem, and non-existent self-worth. I just did not feel enough.” she recalls. At this crossroads, she faced a choice that would define not only her future but the futures of countless women she would eventually help. She could remain trapped in the darkness, or she could begin the painful journey toward healing. The Healing Revolution Dr. Sharma’s path to recovery led her to Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT) and coaching—modalities that would not only save her life but become her life’s work. She trained under Marisa Peer, became a certified level 2 Heart Healing Practitioner, and earned her certification as a Jay Shetty Certification School life and success coach. “I chose to train and be able to help other women as these transformed my life and helped me align to my deeper calling and purpose.” she explains. Her own healing became the foundation for what would become Freedom and Empowerment Hypnotherapy with Ruchi, launched in July 2022. The transformation was remarkable. The woman who once “would rather die than be on stage” began speaking at international conferences. She has delivered impactful talks on four different stages in Paris over the past two years, sharing her story and healing methods with global audiences. Building an Empire of Healing Dr. Sharma’s vision is both audacious and deeply personal: no girl or woman should have to suffer in silence, because there is a way out. Her mission is to reach, touch, and transform the lives of one million women a goal that may seem ambitious for someone who once grappled with fears of visibility. Her approach combines her medical background with cutting-edge therapeutic techniques. Working primarily with women who have experienced sexual trauma and childhood abuse, she helps them break free from decades of pain in sessions that clients describe as immediately transformative. “I feel light. I feel seen. I feel heard,” clients tell her after their first RTT session. These words capture the essence of Dr. Sharma’s work—helping women move from disconnection to wholeness, from silence to voice, from trauma to triumph. The Balancing Act Managing her dual roles as a medical doctor and transformational therapist while being a mother to her four-year-old son requires extraordinary skill. Dr. Sharma works at the NHS on Mondays and Tuesdays, dedicates mornings to her private clients, and reserves afternoons for her son. “My dreams, goals, vision and me being the best mum that I can are all parts of me. I would really want to reassure the women out there that you do not have to choose one over the other.” she emphasizes Her philosophy extends beyond time management to emotional regulation. She uses what she calls the “HELICOPTER” technique stepping back from immediate problems to gain a broader perspective. This approach, born from her own struggles with overwhelm, helps her maintain clarity during challenging times. Recognition and Impact Dr. Sharma’s work has garnered significant recognition. She has received the Hoinser Award for