Managing Technology and Culture — Leading Change with Dak Liyanearachchi, EVP, CTO at NRG Energy

In this episode, host David McClelland sits down with Dak Liyanearachchi, EVP and CTO at NRG Energy, to explore how technology and culture combine to drive value and lead change in the energy sector. Dak shares insights into managing complex digital transformation initiatives at one of the largest power companies in the US. He discusses the challenges of modernising critical infrastructure, embracing innovation while ensuring operational reliability, and navigating the evolving energy landscape. Dak highlights the importance of cultivating a culture that empowers teams and accelerates adoption of new technologies. Reflecting on his leadership approach, he reveals how balancing technical vision with empathy creates a foundation for sustainable growth. Tune in to discover how Dak leads with vision to deliver value and foster a culture of care in a rapidly changing industry.

Dak Liyanearachchi

EVP & CTO

NRG Energy

Dak Liyanearachchi is Head of Data & Technology for NRG and leads the Enterprise’s data, AI & technology driven capabilities to further enable NRG’s digital transformation at scale.

Dak also leads the Cybersecurity and Enterprise Innovation functions at NRG.

Prior to NRG, he served as Chief Data & Analytics Officer at Hilton Worldwide, building a best in class Data & Analytics organization that supported many data driven initiatives across the business.

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