Episode 30

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Published on:

2nd Dec 2024

Trusting Instincts, Driving Innovation

In the latest episode of the Nomad Futurist podcast, Alessandro Lombardi, President of Elea Data Centers, shares his compelling journey and valuable insights into the digital infrastructure landscape in Brazil. Co-hosts Nabeel Mahmood and Phillip Koblence guided the conversation, exploring Lombardi's transition from Italy to Brazil and his evolution in the tech industry.

Lombardi's career trajectory exemplifies the power of embracing change and following one's passion. His unique background, combining majors in philosophy and economics with an early fascination for technology, set the stage for a diverse career path. This journey began with web editing during the internet boom and culminated in his current leadership role in the data center industry:

"My beginning in technology was named Atari and then Commodore. So, it was gaming. And I think I am proud of it … I recognize that since we all started with that, we are in a generation that maybe understands a little bit more what's happening."

This early engagement with technology proved instrumental in shaping Lombardi's future career choices and his ability to navigate the rapidly evolving tech landscape.

A pivotal moment in Lombardi's career came with his move to Brazil. What began as a short-term assignment with PwC transformed into a permanent relocation after meeting his future wife. This decision marked a significant turning point in both his personal and professional life. Lombardi emphasizes the importance of following one's instincts when making such life-altering decisions:

"I understand because it's not easy to do [these] kind[s] of steps. You really need to follow your instinct – like your true passion – because she now is the mother of my three kids and I'm so happy."


Throughout the podcast, Lombardi provides insightful comparisons between the work cultures in Italy and Brazil. His observations shed light on the contrasting approaches to innovation he encountered in the two countries:


"Northern Europe or Northern Italy, it's a tough place to live in. Like people, they work a lot... If you want to do something new, they say, ‘Alessandro, if it was good, somebody already would have done it. Forget about doing something new. Just stay where you are.’ That's kind of typical. And on the contrary, Brazil is an emerging market. So people, when you come with something new, they are happy. They embrace it."


Lombardi’s journey serves as a powerful reminder of the value in trusting your instincts and embracing new experiences. His story illustrates how a diverse background can lead to unique opportunities and innovative paths in the ever-changing tech landscape.

Stay connected with Alessandro Lombardi on LinkedIn.

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About the Podcast

Nomad Futurist
The #nomadfuturist show is a true tech podcast phenomenon. The two hosts are technologists and futurists, so they really know their stuff, and following their in-depth conversations feels like you have a backstage pass to a gathering of the best of the
The nomads put a new spin on the tech genre by shining a light not only on technology but also on the human side of the digital age. Tune in if you find yourself thinking about how to integrate into the digital landscape and be a part of the evolving industry.

For over two decades, Phil and Nabeel have provided a powerful catalyst for organizations to create a vision of the future and the will to innovate. As futurists, they deliver a dynamic and entertaining vision of change, blending technology, economics, demographics, culture, and human nature.

With real business experience and a deep understanding of technology, the two nomads know the difference between science fiction and useful forecasting. Rather than focusing on the distant future, they devote themselves to scanning the horizon for emerging technologies and disruptive shifts in human behavior, thereby sharing a compelling vision of tomorrow’s opportunities.