Richard Inserro has served as the chief executive officer of Ridgeline Data in South Orange, New Jersey, since 2018. In this role, he helps corporations optimize the value of data assets through data strategy and governance consulting. He gained experience in data strategy over the course of nearly 20 years as a partner at PwC, during which time he advised clients on risk management and process improvement matters in the commercial and retail banking sector. Richard Inserro was also instrumental in the development of a PwC consulting business in Japan. Richard Inserro led numerous global regulatory initiatives requiring the coordination of resources deployed across the globe.
Richard Inserro holds a bachelor of business administration in finance from New York City’s Baruch College, where he was part of the Baruch Scholar program. After graduating, he joined Reuters Loan Pricing Corporation as leader of the company’s data management group. During his time in this role, he improved data quality controls by 300 percent.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My typical weekday is spent working, either at home or in the office. I lead a team that works to enable my company to better utilize the data that exists across the organization, with a goal to improve business outcomes and bring life-saving vaccines and therapeutic treatments to market faster. After work, I exercise, see friends, or volunteer at an educational nonprofit organization.
How do you bring ideas to life?
My best thinking happens when I am disconnected and my mind can wander. This happens on walks with my dog or just sitting down in a quiet spot. Sometimes I draw pictures or whiteboard an idea to figure out how to solve a problem. Speaking with colleagues and debating ideas helps me learn and solidify concepts. I think more in pictures than in words.
What’s one trend that excites you?
The use of agentic AI to perform daily tasks is both exciting and concerning. I benefit from using LLMs to bring ideas to fruition faster and to learn. But I worry about people who may not be able to capitalize on this transformational technology and will be left behind.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
The first hour of my day is the “golden hour” when I am least distracted and can focus on a few important tasks and get them out of the way. That is why I often start my day early, before other people arrive at work.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Invest more wisely; buy an apartment rather than rent.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
This is hard to answer, as I tend to live in a bubble of like-minded people. That said, I am a firm believer that trickle-down economics does not work and that there is not data that proves that it does (nor are there any outcomes over the past 40 years that indicate it works). Many Republicans incorrectly thinks it does work.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Now, I save as much as I can in employer retirement accounts, and I encourage people to do the same. I also encourage young people I meet to travel and see the world from an early age.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I just stop and take a break. At times like these, you just need to let the brain and body reset until you are at a point where you can pick up and begin anew.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
I have a strong network of business and personal relationships, and I maintain them. This helped me greatly when I was between jobs. It was a rare occurrence when I applied to a job, and I did not have a colleague that I could reach out to and connect me to someone who worked at the company. This led to building inside knowledge and, in some cases, having someone put in a good work for me before the interview.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
My biggest failure was using ill-advised language in an email, which had negative repercussions years later when the email was taken completely out of context. I am not sure I have ever overcome it, but it is less of an issue than it was seven to 10 years ago. The lesson I took away from it is that the Internet is forever.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
There are many dating apps out there, but none that match people based on their musical preferences. Imagine if your own “music score,” based on your playlists and favoured music, could be used to determine a potential match (for either romantic or platonic connections).
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
My company version of ChatGPT has been game-changing. It allows me to learn new concepts faster and enables me to prepare outlines and detailed documentation that helps me convey complex topics in easier-to-use terms, with examples. It speeds the time to create quality frameworks and papers in less than a day, rather than over a week.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
Prof G Markets is my current can’t-miss podcast. In less than 25 minutes, I get the top business news of the day, in-depth analysis, and frequent guest speakers. It is always thought-provoking, and I learn something new every time I listen to it.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I just finished Landman season one. Billy Bob Thornton is great, as are the entire supporting cast. Not only is there acerbic wit, but I learned a lot about the oil and gas industry. The plot is not overly complex, but it is engaging with intersecting storylines between the oil and gas business, broken families, drug cartels, and newfound love.
Key learnings
- Continuous learning is always important but is especially so given today’s rapid pace of technological change.
- Develop and maintain personal and professional relationships; the best help sometimes comes from unexpected people.
- Periodically unwind—the best ideas come when you are not tethered to a screen.
- Get outdoors—even a walk in the middle of the day or a short hike spending time in nature can do a reset.