From Tech Giant to Whistleblower: William “Bill” Sullivan’s Career Reflections

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Integrity in Tech Leadership: William “Bill” Sullivan's Journey

In this episode of The Human Code, host Don Finley dives into a conversation with William “Bill” Sullivan, a seasoned tech leader known for his focus on integrity, ethics, and the intersection of humanity and technology. Bill's career spans pivotal roles at Oracle, IBM, AWS, and PeopleSoft, where he led major transformations and fostered innovation. The discussion touches upon his leadership philosophies, experiences navigating complex business environments, and the personal challenges he faced, including a high-stakes legal battle as a whistleblower. Bill shares valuable insights on leadership, the enduring significance of people in technology, and standing firm on one's principles even in adverse situations.

Bill's book “It Used To Be Fun: A Federal Whistleblower’s Trip Through The Software Industry” will be published soon.

00:00 Introduction to The Human Code Podcast 

00:49 Meet William “Bill” Sullivan: A Leader in Tech 

02:15 Bill's Early Career and Lessons Learned 

05:33 Navigating Business Transformations 

09:02 Leadership Philosophies and Team Dynamics 

13:23 Challenges and Successes at PeopleSoft 

19:04 Informatica: Ethical Dilemmas and Leadership 

25:24 Legal Advice and Initial Steps 26:38 Justice Department Takes the Case 

27:39 Facing the Consequences 

28:23 Guiding Principles and Integrity 

32:16 Impact on Career and Personal Life 

38:19 Whistleblower Challenges and Legal Battles 

43:15 Future Aspirations and Final Thoughts

Sponsored by FINdustries
Hosted by Don Finley