First Factory COO Joins Trending in Ed Podcast

Transformative software solutions aren't about rebuilding your team. First Factory's nearshore talent delivers long-term value and a true partnership.

August 25, 2026

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Trending in Ed podcast

Don Gregori, COO of First Factory, sat down with longtime colleague Mike Palmer on the Trending in Ed podcast to discuss the ideas behind his book, The Emergent Leader: A Guide to Brand Building, Leadership, and Self-Mastery.

The two dig into what it takes to build brand and leadership skills in a fast-changing environment.

Don Gregori is the Chief Operating Officer of First Factory, a multinational software solutions provider based in New York with nearshore operations in Costa Rica. A certified AI Business Leader, Don brings over 25 years of experience helping businesses from startups to Fortune 500 companies navigate product development, digital transformation, and AI adoption. He is a contributing author to The AI Journal and the author of The Emergent Leader, releasing June 16, 2026.