By: James Herring
At a time when CEOs are burning out and businesses are struggling to keep pace with technological change, Darren Goonawardana offers a refreshing alternative: Automate what you can, so you can live how you want.
As the founder and CEO of Collectiv—the top-rated Microsoft Data & AI consultancy—Goonawardana is advocating for a new kind of executive leadership, one powered by data, shaped by AI, and defined by freedom.
Leading in the Age of the “Cyborg CEO”
Goonawardana’s concept of the “Cyborg CEO” flips conventional leadership advice on its head. Instead of romanticizing long hours and endless hustle, he encourages leaders to embrace AI and automation to reduce stress, scale smarter, and build balance. In his view, the CEOs of tomorrow aren’t those who grind the hardest—but those who delegate to machines with confidence and clarity.
Through Collectiv, he’s helping companies embed this mindset across their leadership teams. By designing intelligent systems that support automated reporting, forecasting, and strategic planning, Goonawardana is redefining what it means to be a modern executive.
What sets this approach apart is its blend of pragmatism and philosophy. He’s not pitching “AI for the sake of tech,” but rather, automation with intent—purposefully designed to free time, unlock mental bandwidth, and give leaders back control over their day. This is a vision for leadership that values both operational excellence and personal well-being.
Democratizing Data for Mid-Market Giants
While enterprise tech often focuses on Fortune 100 giants, Collectiv has found its sweet spot with organizations in the $100 million to $1 billion range—companies that are ambitious but often underserved. Goonawardana refers to this group as the “invisible powerhouses”—businesses with huge potential but lacking the internal data infrastructure to unlock it.
With a full-service offering—from data strategy and infrastructure to forecasting and Power BI / Fabric training—Collectiv acts as an embedded data partner, not just a vendor. Clients walk away with not only dashboards but a scalable system that reduces executive bottlenecks and boosts decision velocity.
Many of these companies are experiencing digital transformation for the first time. Goonawardana’s team specializes in guiding these mid-market firms through that journey, ensuring that the solutions implemented are not only technically sound but aligned with their culture and business goals.
This unique positioning gives Collectiv a competitive edge—they aren’t just tech consultants, they’re strategic growth enablers.
Challenging Industry Orthodoxy
Perhaps Goonawardana’s most controversial stance is his belief that the consulting industry as we know it is on borrowed time. He argues that traditional consultants are too slow, too manual, and too expensive. In a world of on-demand data and AI-powered insights, clients expect results—fast.
That’s why Collectiv operates more like a tech firm than a consultancy, offering speed, flexibility, and deep Microsoft Data Stack expertise. Their services aren’t confined to presentations; they’re operational, strategic, and designed to make measurable business impact.
And this isn’t speculation—it’s happening. As companies increasingly look for ways to internalize analytics and planning, firms like Collectiv are positioning themselves as transitional partners—enabling independence, not dependency. Goonawardana’s approach challenges outdated client-consultant relationships and fosters long-term value through enablement.
The Human Side of AI
Despite his tech-forward mission, Goonawardana never loses sight of the human element. His approach to automation is empathetic, practical, and grounded in lived experience. He understands the challenges executives face because he’s lived them—across multiple companies, continents, and cultures.
He believes that AI should be an enabler of lifestyle, not just productivity. That’s why his vision of success includes not just business outcomes, but quality of life improvements for founders, CEOs, and leadership teams.
His methodology prioritizes accessibility and simplicity over complexity and jargon. He’s committed to helping decision-makers understand what AI can do for them—not just from a technical standpoint, but in terms of reclaiming time, reducing cognitive load, and enhancing work-life satisfaction.
Expanding the Vision
As Goonawardana grows his personal brand, he’s moving into thought leadership, keynote speaking, and media storytelling. His mission? Inspire the next generation of executives to rethink leadership, prioritize balance, and embrace AI as a lifestyle enabler.
His message is gaining traction among progressive business communities looking for nontraditional but effective frameworks. Instead of presenting yet another tech stack, he’s introducing a new way to think, lead, and live—a narrative that’s as much about humanity as it is about innovation.
Darren Goonawardana and Collectiv are proof that automation, when applied thoughtfully, isn’t a threat to leadership—it’s the evolution of it.
For those ready to lead smarter—not harder—he’s showing the way forward.
