Latest news with #Kopel
The Herald Scotland
26-05-2025
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
Frank's Law: 71,000 people benefit from 'Milestone' law
She was successful in 2019 when Frank's Law was introduced, extending free personal care to those under 65. Mrs Kopel had argued the rules discriminated against those with disabilities and degenerative conditions. Read More: Now, Conservative MSP Miles Briggs has received a written response from the Scottish Government showing more than 71,000 people have benefitted from Frank's Law since it was introduced. Support from Mr Briggs and former SNP health secretary Alex Neil was instrumental in passing the law. Mrs Kopel said: 'I am overwhelmed to hear that Frank's Law has helped so many people in Scotland to access free personal care. 'It's humbling to think of the difference our campaign has made to the lives of more than 71,000 families. Undated family handout photo of Amanda Kopel and her husband Frank (Image: Amanda Kopel) 'I can never thank enough all the people who helped me in the fight for justice to end the blatant discrimination against the under-65s – especially the people in Scotland living with dementia, whose shoes I had walked in. 'It was all in honour of my soulmate Frankie, whose battle against dementia, was far harder than any battle I went through.' Mr Briggs, who represents the Lothians region, said: 'I'm very happy that I was able to help Amanda's battle for free personal care for dementia patients like her husband Frank. 'For too long many people under 65 were left to fight for access to vital care and health services at the very time they needed the health system to support them. 'In many cases this resulted in poorer outcomes for individuals and drove many families to despair.' The charity Alzheimer Scotland presented Mrs Kopel with a lifetime achievement award in 2019 in recognition of her efforts. Henry Simmons, chief executive of Alzheimer Scotland, described her as 'an inspiration'.
Daily Record
26-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Widow of ex-footballer 'overwhelmed' as Frank's Law helps 71,000 Scots receive free care
Frank's Law campaigner Amanda Kopel campaigned for six years to introduce the law in memory of her footballer husband, Dundee United's Frank Kopel. Widow and Frank's Law campaigner Amanda Kopel says she is 'overwhelmed' as figures show the law she campaigned for has helped 71,000 Scots receive free personal care. Mrs Kopel campaigned for six years to introduce the law in memory of her footballer husband – Dundee United's Frank Kopel who died in 2014 aged 65 after being diagnosed with dementia. She was successful in 2019 when Frank's Law was introduced, extending free personal care to those under 65. Mrs Kopel had argued the rules discriminated against those with disabilities and degenerative conditions. Now, Conservative MSP Miles Briggs has received a written response from the Scottish Government showing more than 71,000 people have benefitted from Frank's Law since it was introduced. Support from Mr Briggs and former SNP health secretary Alex Neil was instrumental in passing the law. Mrs Kopel said: 'I am overwhelmed to hear that Frank's Law has helped so many people in Scotland to access free personal care. 'It's humbling to think of the difference our campaign has made to the lives of more than 71,000 families. 'I can never thank enough all the people who helped me in the fight for justice to end the blatant discrimination against the under-65s – especially the people in Scotland living with dementia, whose shoes I had walked in. 'It was all in honour of my soulmate Frankie, whose battle against dementia, was far harder than any battle I went through.' Mr Briggs, who represents the Lothians region, said: 'I'm very happy that I was able to help Amanda's battle for free personal care for dementia patients like her husband Frank. 'For too long many people under 65 were left to fight for access to vital care and health services at the very time they needed the health system to support them. 'In many cases this resulted in poorer outcomes for individuals and drove many families to despair.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. The charity Alzheimer Scotland presented Mrs Kopel with a lifetime achievement award in 2019 in recognition of her efforts. Henry Simmons, chief executive of Alzheimer Scotland, described her as 'an inspiration'.
Globe and Mail
10-03-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Unlocking Momentum: Aaron Kopel Reveals the Hidden Costs of Leaving Tech Execs Out of Strategic Decisions
In Unlocking Momentum, Aaron Kopel shows CIOs how to step up from tech experts to strategic powerhouses. With insights on overcoming common leadership missteps—like complexity, poor prioritization, and misalignment—Kopel makes the case for CIOs claiming a seat at the executive table. By championing agile practices and value-driven cultures, he empowers CIOs to lead business transformation and drive innovation. As businesses become increasingly reliant on technology, the role of the Chief Information Officers (CIOs) has never been more critical. Today, these tech executives sit in the hot seat. In a business world driven by breakneck speed and endless demands, they're expected to be masters of technology and strategy all at once. But here's the rub: while they grew up writing code, can build systems, and keep the lights on, many of them struggle when the job shifts to leading teams and influencing company strategy. Aaron Kopel, author of Unlocking Momentum: The CIO's Keys to Accelerating Change and Becoming a Strategic C-Level Partner, is determined to change that dynamic. Kopel, known as the Momentum Locksmith, is a trailblazer in business agility and is the CEO of Project Brilliant. He is no stranger to the challenges Chief Information Officers face, "Too often, they are elevated for their technical expertise but have neglected to focus on the skills required to effectively guide their IT leadership team or secure a voice at the executive table. It's time for that paradigm to shift." The Growing Pains of Leadership For many CIOs, the journey starts in the trenches of IT—solving complex technical problems, driving innovation, and keeping the digital engines of their companies humming, but as they climb the corporate ladder, the rules of the game change. Kopel identifies three key missteps companies make when failing to effectively leverage tech executives in key decisions, highlighting how both leadership and organizational dynamics can hinder their ability to contribute strategically. #1. Confusing Efficiency with Effectiveness: Traditionally, CIOs have been driven to prioritize efficiency—finding the simplest, lowest-cost solution to a problem. But when business needs evolve, this narrow focus can leave them solving outdated problems that no longer matter. To stay ahead, they must shift their focus to effectiveness—solving the right problem at the right time, even as it changes. This requires adaptability, not just optimization. #2. Lack of Strategic Presence: According to Gartner's 2024 Annual CIO Survey, only 46% of Chief Information Officers report to the CEO, meaning 54% have a "middle man" between them and the true Senior Executive team. When CEOs exclude tech executives from senior-level C-suite meetings, they make a costly mistake. As AI adoption accelerates, these leaders are uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between innovation and strategy, ensuring their organizations stay competitive in a rapidly evolving landscape. By sidelining them, CEOs miss the opportunity to leverage their tech executives as a powerful catalyst of business transformation. #3. Disjointed Priorities: Many companies resemble a Rube Goldberg machine—a tangled web of misaligned teams, conflicting objectives, and outdated processes - cobbled together over time in response to short term needs from years long past. Business leaders often struggle to see the big picture and how this patchwork machine is constantly fighting itself. "When priorities aren't clear, organizations waste energy chasing their tail and ultimately fail to deliver real value," Kopel warns. 'CIOs are uniquely positioned to take the lead in addressing this issue within IT and across the entire organization.' Key Insights into Business Agility The cornerstone of Kopel's philosophy is business agility—an organization's ability to adapt to changes in the market, technology, or customer demands swiftly while keeping its eye on what matters most: to satisfy changing customer needs, innovate, and stay resilient in dynamic environments. Through his firm, Project Brilliant, Kopel works with CIOs and other leaders to align their teams, optimize their workflows for adaptability, and cultivate cultures rooted in collaboration and innovation. "Think of an organization as a car," he explains. "If its tires are out of alignment, the vehicle won't steer correctly, and the ride will be rough. The same goes for a business. Teams must align with clear value streams—whether it's customer needs, product development, or internal operations—to achieve lasting success." In Unlocking Momentum Aaron Kopel delivers a bold blueprint for organizations ready to break free from outdated organizational models. His approach integrates agile practices at every level, urging leaders to ditch micromanagement and build the level of trust in their teams. "Managers should focus on coaching and mentoring, not controlling every detail," he says. Kopel's message is clear: when teams are trusted, they perform, and that's the secret to unlocking real business momentum. His advice resonates across industries, from healthcare to manufacturing, where his engaging workshops and storytelling style help to simplify complex leadership challenges and make it easier for leaders to get their arms around them and take meaningful action. With over 25 years of experience and a reputation as one of the world's top business agility experts, Kopel has guided organizations through some of their toughest transformations. A two-time tech startup entrepreneur and co-founder of several Agile communities, his influence is far-reaching. Unlocking Momentum is more than just a book—it's a wake-up call for Chief Information Officers to step into their full potential as strategic leaders. By aligning their teams, championing value-driven initiatives, and claiming their seat at the table, they can reshape their organizations. As Kopel puts it, "CIOs have the power to transform not just their departments, but their entire organizations. It's time to step up and lead the change." Media Contact Company Name: Project Brilliant Contact Person: Kristen Kopel Email: Send Email Phone: 317-646-4468 Country: United States Website:
