The Tech Trek: Recent Episodes
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Everyone is on their own trek. And we can all use a little help along the way.
The Tech Trek features conversations with top leaders in technology on how they are transforming their industry and organization. We explore the intersections of technology and innovation. We talk about their impact, lessons learned, and what knowledge they can pass on to others.
Rick Doten, cybersecurity startup advisor and AI researcher, joins the show to unpack how AI-assisted development is reshaping software—and what it means for security. From startups rushing to ship faster code to the unseen risks of “vibe coding,” Rick explains how engineering teams can balance innovation with secure, resilient design.
If your dev team is using AI tools to boost velocity, this conversation might change how you think about your SDLC, code review, and even your threat model.
Key Takeaways
• AI-assisted coding speeds up output but can multiply security risks if context isn’t baked in.
• Startups often trade speed for security early on—and that can be expensive to unwind later.
• Traditional fundamentals like OWASP and BSIMM still apply, even as architectures evolve with agents and MCP.
• AI creates a widening gap between companies that can secure their models and those that can’t.
• “Vibe coding”—non-devs using AI to build—introduces a new wave of shadow code leaders must prepare for.
Timestamped Highlights
[02:09] The real range of how startups are using AI-assisted tools—and why security is often an afterthought.
[05:12] Why AI-generated code is not just another form of third-party code.
[09:40] The hidden risk: code volume grows faster than your ability to secure it.
[15:51] How AI is widening the gap between resource-rich enterprises and everyone else.
[18:25] The new fragility of systems—where architecture and resilience start to break.
[22:07] Rethinking SDLC: integrating AI tools without losing security fundamentals.
[25:29] “Vibe coding” and what happens when non-engineers start shipping code.
Memorable Insight
“AI isn’t lazy like humans—it doesn’t just fix one thing. It rewrites everything. That’s why every line has to be re-scrutinized.”
Pro Tips
If your startup doesn’t have a dedicated security function yet, start with the basics: integrate OWASP checks into your CI/CD, use non-human accounts correctly, and automate code review gates early. Don’t wait until production to harden your systems.
Call to Action
If this episode sparked ideas for your dev or security team, share it with someone who’s experimenting with AI-assisted tools. Follow The Tech Trek for more conversations at the intersection of engineering, AI, and leadership.
What happens when a telehealth CTO takes AI beyond code generation and into the heart of the software development lifecycle?
Matt Buckleman, Co-founder and CTO of Hone Health, joins to share how his team uses AI not just to accelerate development, but to rethink workflows—from documentation and traceability to sentiment analysis across teams. This episode dives deep into how he’s blending engineering fundamentals with modern AI agents to create a smarter, more adaptive SDLC.
Key Takeaways
• Why AI’s biggest near-term value isn’t in code generation—it’s in improving process and communication.
• How Hone Health evolved its SDLC from three engineers on Slack to a 30+ person organization using agent-based automation.
• The hidden advantage of consistent naming conventions and traceability when applying AI to production systems.
• How AI can automate the “soft” but essential parts of software delivery, like documentation, requirements gathering, and developer sentiment tracking.
• What it takes to create feedback loops that make AI genuinely useful inside technical workflows.
Timestamped Highlights
[02:09] Flexible, anti-dogmatic SDLC: why strict process frameworks can slow learning.
[09:00] When more engineers doesn’t equal more output—the hidden cost of coordination.
[13:00] AI for experts vs. juniors: why prompting mirrors domain mastery.
[18:38] Offloading the unglamorous work: how LLMs now handle code comments, documentation, and swagger generation.
[23:50] Shared ownership and experimentation: how Hone’s engineering team pilots new AI tools.
[28:40] Turning meeting transcripts into smarter requirements: how agents refine specs automatically.
[32:00] Using sentiment analysis to spot risk and burnout across engineering projects.
Memorable Line
“LLMs are great at patterns in text—and that makes them better than people at understanding what’s really happening inside your workflow.”
Call to Action
If you enjoyed this conversation, follow The Tech Trek on Spotify or Apple Podcasts for more real-world discussions at the intersection of AI, engineering, and leadership. Share this episode with a teammate rethinking their own SDLC.
Yosi Dediashvili-Drossos, Co-Founder and CTO of City Hive, joins Amir to unpack how a hyper-focused approach helped transform a niche idea into the dominant e-commerce platform for the liquor industry. From bootstrapping into a complex, highly regulated space to giving small brands a voice, Yosi shares how City Hive built the connective tissue across the entire alcohol supply chain—bridging brands, distributors, and local retailers through data, trust, and mission-driven execution.
Key Takeaways
• Why narrowing your focus often creates more growth than going broad
• How City Hive turned regulatory complexity into a competitive advantage
• The power of connecting all layers of an industry—brands, distributors, and retailers—through one platform
• Why small, single-SKU brands now have a real chance to compete
• What founders need to know before tackling a regulated industry
Timestamped Highlights
00:36 – The origin story: building an e-commerce engine for liquor stores
04:00 – When niche focus becomes a gateway to full-scale growth
06:49 – Why the liquor supply chain is one of the most fragmented in the U.S.
10:22 – The uphill battle for small brands trying to reach consumers
12:16 – Empowering micro-brands through digital visibility and data
16:42 – How narrowing your scope can actually open new opportunities
19:48 – Lessons from scaling in a regulated market
22:49 – Yosi’s advice for founders navigating complex industries
Standout Moment
“You can’t solve everything at once. Focus on the next real problem that’s in front of you—if you do that well, you’ll eventually build something that can solve the bigger picture.”
Pro Tips
For founders entering regulated markets: Don’t start by trying to fix the system. Start by understanding one piece of it deeply enough that you can actually move it forward.
Call to Action
If you enjoyed this episode, follow The Tech Trek for more conversations with founders building technology that powers real-world industries. Share this episode with someone tackling a complex market—there’s a lot they’ll take away.
What happens when a 17-year Google veteran starts over with a 10-person AI startup? David Petrou, founder and CEO of Continua AI, joins Amir to unpack what it really takes to go from Big Tech stability to startup chaos. They dive into what to keep, what to unlearn, and how to build a high-performing team when everyone has to wear ten hats.
From career ladders to “vibe coding,” David shares a candid look at the tradeoffs, mindset shifts, and hard lessons behind scaling something new in AI.
Key Takeaways
• Career ladders are a luxury—startups win by hiring for adaptability and shared ownership, not rigid progression.
• Moving from Big Tech to startup means trading resources for speed—and rediscovering why building things is fun again.
• Productivity at small teams thrives on decisive action and ruthless prioritization, not endless debate.
• AI is transforming software development—but human experience still defines whether the tools actually deliver.
• The best retention strategy in a startup: keep the work interesting and the problems worth solving.
Timestamped Highlights
[00:48] How Continua AI brings “social AI” into group chats
[05:35] Why hiring for collaboration beats hiring for raw talent
[08:51] The real gap between Big Tech engineers and startup engineers
[11:19] What David had to unlearn after 17 years at Google
[18:58] How limited resources force sharper technical decision-making
[22:32] Productivity at early-stage startups—making faster decisions and moving forward
[26:41] “Vibe coding,” AI-assisted development, and why experienced engineers adapt faster
Memorable Moment
“It’s much better to be a few degrees off from optimal and moving fast than stuck in indecision for two weeks.” — David Petrou
Pro Tips
When hiring for an early-stage startup, focus less on titles or ladders and more on whether the person thrives without structure. The ability to figure things out independently is the best predictor of success.
Call to Action
If this episode gave you a fresh take on startup leadership, share it with someone thinking about making the leap from Big Tech to founder life. Follow The Tech Trek for weekly insights from leaders shaping the future of tech and AI.
When you step into a new leadership role, do you prefer to build a team from the ground up—or inherit one that already exists?
Ashwin Baskaran, VP of Engineering at Mercury, joins the show to unpack what really changes between these two scenarios—and what stays the same. From managing team dynamics to molding culture and earning trust in the first 90 days, Ashwin shares practical frameworks every engineering leader can apply.
Key Takeaways
• Building and inheriting share more similarities than most leaders realize—the principles of empathy, awareness, and low ego are universal.
• When inheriting a team, awareness is your first superpower. Learn the organization before making moves.
• Building from scratch gives freedom, but also more ways to make mistakes if you over-index on hiring people who think like you.
• The best leaders telegraph intent early and seek alignment through action, not reassurance.
• Feedback should be about context and priorities, not personal validation—it builds credibility and trust faster.
Timestamped Highlights
00:45 — The hidden overlap between building and inheriting a team
03:25 — Why self-awareness and low ego are critical when replacing a leader
06:51 — How “building” can lead to blind spots if you hire for similarity
11:38 — Finding alignment between company values and your leadership style
15:25 — How to read the room and earn feedback in your first 90 days
21:47 — What to look for when interviewing for a role where you’ll inherit a team
A Line That Stuck
“You want to find a problem that the team and company care about—and solve it in a way that feels aligned with their values.”
Call to Action
If this conversation helps you think differently about leadership transitions, share it with someone who’s stepping into a new role. Subscribe to The Tech Trek for more conversations that bridge technical leadership with real-world growth.
Jarah Euston, Co-Founder and CEO of WorkWhile, joins the show to share how she’s building a worker-first labor marketplace that puts money back into the pockets of frontline employees. Drawing from her own early experience in hourly jobs, Jarah explains why this massive yet underserved workforce deserves better tools, more respect, and faster access to earnings. We dive into automation, AI, re-skilling, and why the future of work isn’t just about robots replacing people but about using technology to unlock opportunity for 80 million Americans.
Key Takeaways
• Why hourly workers are overlooked in tech innovation and what WorkWhile is doing to change that
• How automation can cut overhead and actually raise wages instead of lowering them
• Why entry-level white-collar roles may be more at risk from AI than frontline jobs
• The importance of re-skilling and flexible training for workers who can’t stop earning to learn
• How instant pay and eliminating predatory fees can transform financial stability for families
Timestamped Highlights
01:26 — Jarah’s early jobs in retail and fast food and how they shaped her perspective
06:56 — Why frontline workers are less likely to be displaced by AI than software engineers
11:23 — Building against the grain: focusing on people instead of replacement tech
13:31 — Why robotics companies still hire frontline workers alongside automation
17:47 — Launching the American Labor Utilization Rate to track real work happening now
21:44 — Three pillars of WorkWhile’s mission: earning, upskilling, and financial access
25:17 — How word of mouth drives organic growth among workers and families
Memorable Line
“Even the companies building the future of automation still need people—and they’ve been our customers since day one.”
Call to Action
If this conversation opened your eyes to the future of frontline work, share it with someone who should hear it. Subscribe to the show for more conversations with founders and leaders reshaping technology and work.
Tom Drummond, Managing Partner at Heavybit, joins the show to break down what it takes to build and scale AI “picks and shovels” companies for the enterprise. We dive into the realities of selling into one of the hardest markets to reach, why differentiation matters more than ever, and how startups can wedge their way into massive opportunities despite fierce competition.
Key Takeaways
• Enterprise attention is more competitive than ever—breaking through requires clarity and category creation.
• Cold email and traditional outbound are saturated—startups must iterate quickly on channels and messaging.
• Landing enterprise deals often starts with developers and end users, not CIOs—grassroots adoption is powerful.
• Narrow wedges matter—solve one painful, high-value problem better than anyone else, then expand.
• Timing the industry cycle is critical—knowing when markets fragment and when they consolidate can define outcomes.
Timestamped Highlights
02:03 — Why enterprise attention has never been harder to win
04:55 — Differentiation in a sea of lookalike AI infrastructure startups
07:34 — Cold email vs content, billboards, and unconventional channels
08:35 — The Pareto rule of enterprise revenue and why developer adoption is key
11:47 — Competing with big tech incumbents: the power of the narrow wedge
21:03 — Where the market is headed: cycles of expansion, contraction, and consolidation
A line that stuck
“You don’t win by being another tool—you win by defining the category everyone else has to fit into.”
Call to Action
If you enjoyed this conversation, share it with a founder or tech leader who’s navigating the enterprise market. Make sure to follow the show for more unfiltered conversations with people shaping the future of software and AI.
Jonathan DiVincenzo, co-founder and CEO of Impart Security, joins the show to unpack one of the fastest growing risks in tech today: how AI is reshaping the attack surface. From prompt injections to invisible character exploits hidden inside emojis, JD explains why security leaders can’t afford to treat AI as “just another tool.” If you’re an engineering or security leader navigating AI adoption, this conversation breaks down what’s hype, what’s real, and where the biggest blind spots lie.
Key Takeaways
• Attackers are now using LLMs to outpace traditional defenses, turning old threats like SQL injection into live problems again
• The attack surface is “iterating,” with new vectors like emoji-based smuggling exposing unseen vulnerabilities
• Frameworks have not caught up. While OWASP has listed LLM threats, practical solutions are still undefined
• The biggest divide in AI coding is between senior engineers who can validate outputs and junior developers who may lack that context
• Security tools must evolve quickly, but rollout cannot create performance hits or damage business systems
Timestamped Highlights
01:44 Why runtime security has always mattered and why APIs were not enough
04:00 How attackers use LLMs to regenerate and adapt attacks in real time
06:59 Proof of concept vs. security and why both must be treated as first priorities
09:14 The rise of “emoji smuggling” and why hidden characters create a Trojan horse effect
13:24 Iterating attack surfaces and why patches are no longer enough in the AI era
20:29 Is AI really writing production code and what risks does that create
A thought worth holding onto
“AI is great, but the bad actors can use AI too, and they are.”
Call to Action
If this episode gave you new perspective on AI security, share it with a colleague who needs to hear it. Follow the show for more conversations with the leaders shaping the future of tech.
Daniel Saks, co-founder and CEO of Landbase, joins The Tech Trek to unpack the real meaning of democratizing technology. From agentic AI that works for you—not the other way around—to rethinking workflows and change management, Daniel shares why this shift is bigger than the move from on-prem to cloud. For tech leaders, founders, and operators, this episode reveals how to reclaim time, scale smarter, and prepare for the next wave of AI-native business.
Key Takeaways
• AI is moving beyond hype—it’s becoming the engine that executes real workflows and shifts power from systems to users
• Businesses that recapture saved time will unlock significant cost efficiency and growth potential
• The gap between idea and implementation is shrinking fast, but durable value will come from solving the hardest problems, not the easiest apps
• Change management is now about building AI-native workflows and cross-functional systems, not just adopting tools
• Sales and go-to-market leaders can gain an edge by mastering prompting and AI-driven enrichment today
Timestamped Highlights
00:56 — Why Landbase built GTM-1 Omni to reimagine go-to-market execution
01:40 — From on-prem to cloud to AI-native: the next major leap in democratizing technology
04:34 — Why fears about AI replacing jobs miss the bigger story of new roles and industries emerging
08:42 — How the pace of product cycles is collapsing and what that means for value creation
13:25 — Inside Landbase’s “AI Factory” model for automating workflows across functions
16:39 — What people actually do with the time they reclaim through AI-driven automation
19:23 — How AI is reshaping the role of the salesperson and why adoption speed matters
A line that stood out
“You don’t have to work for your software anymore—your software works for you.”
Call to Action
If this conversation gave you fresh ideas about how AI is reshaping business, share it with your team and subscribe to The Tech Trek on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. For more insights, follow along on LinkedIn.
Matt McLarty, CTO at Boomi, joins the show to break down what enterprise AI adoption really looks like in 2025. From navigating the hype cycle to identifying practical first steps, Matt shares what separates companies that are seeing value from those stuck in endless pilots. If you’re a tech leader wondering how to move beyond experimentation and into measurable outcomes, this episode is your playbook.
Key Takeaways
• AI adoption is not binary—it’s a spectrum, and success depends on linking it to business value, not just “using AI.”
• Orientation matters: every company needs an honest assessment of where they are on their digital maturity curve before jumping in.
• Small, low-risk bets build the organizational muscle memory required for bigger wins.
• The fastest wins often come from augmenting existing automation rather than chasing moonshots.
• Companies that succeed treat AI as a tool to solve business problems, not as an end goal.
Timestamped Highlights
01:38 – Why AI’s hype cycle feels like “Mount Everest” compared to cloud and mobile
04:50 – Why AI adoption can’t be compared to past waves like blockchain or cloud
07:36 – The hidden foundation: digital transformation work still matters
11:11 – The inversion that changes everything: AI isn’t the goal, business outcomes are
16:26 – Defining “adoption” as a multi-dimensional spectrum, not a checkbox
19:50 – How to recover if your first AI projects fall short
28:04 – Building adaptability as a core enterprise competency
31:25 – The common traits of companies succeeding with AI right now
A standout moment
“AI isn’t the end goal—it’s just another tool. The real question is, what business problems can we finally solve with it?” – Matt McLarty
Call to action
If this episode gave you a clearer path toward enterprise AI adoption, share it with a colleague and follow the show so you never miss a conversation on where tech leadership is heading.
Vipin Kumar, Head of CUSO IB Data Strategy and Analytics at Deutsche Bank, joins me to unpack one of the toughest problems in financial services: managing data quality in a highly regulated industry. From the outside, it might look like a box-checking exercise. In reality, it’s a complex mix of legacy systems, global frameworks, regulatory controls, and the constant push to balance defensive compliance with offensive business value. Vipin makes it real with examples that connect directly to how we all experience data in daily life.
Key Takeaways
Data quality isn’t just about accuracy—timeliness, completeness, and consistency all matter, especially when billions are on the line.
Regulations push banks into “defensive” strategies, but there’s growing opportunity to apply “offensive” strategies that use data for prediction, analytics, and competitive edge.
Measuring effectiveness requires agreement between data producers and consumers, with preventive and detective controls working together.
AI and machine learning are starting to automate checks, spot patterns, and even strengthen anti-money laundering defenses.
Timestamped Highlights
00:45 What data quality means in a regulated industry
03:15 The challenges of managing fragmented legacy systems
06:40 How producers and consumers measure effectiveness of frameworks
09:30 The pizza delivery analogy for making sense of data quality
14:20 Why accuracy is harder than timeliness or completeness
16:50 The role of AI and machine learning in improving governance
19:20 Shifting from defensive compliance to offensive strategy in banking
22:40 Regulators testing AI-driven approaches to anti-money laundering
Memorable Quote
“Producer has preventive controls. Consumer has detective controls. True data quality happens only when both align 100%.” — Vipin Kumar
Call to Action
If you enjoyed this conversation, share it with a colleague who thinks about data quality or governance. Don’t forget to follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you never miss an episode.
Marty Ringlein, co-founder and CEO of Agree.com, joins Amir to unpack why history always repeats itself in technology and what that means for the AI era. From the telephone to the automobile to ChatGPT, the biggest shifts have rarely been things people asked for—they were inventions that reshaped behavior once adopted. Marty explains why skepticism always comes first, how fear fuels resistance, and why optimism is usually rewarded. He also shares how Agree.com is rethinking contracts and payments by automating the painful parts of sales workflows.
Key Takeaways
The most transformative inventions weren’t requested—they emerged through evolution and network effects.
Human resistance to new tech often comes from energy costs of relearning, not the tech itself.
AI isn’t eliminating jobs—it’s freeing people from low-value work so they can focus on bigger challenges.
Every wave of disruption (printing press, cars, internet, mobile, AI) begins with fear, then proves to be a net positive.
Timestamped Highlights
00:51 — Why Agree.com calls itself “a better DocuSign” and how it integrates signatures, invoicing, and payments
02:06 — The history of inventions nobody asked for and why they stuck
05:41 — Human pessimism vs optimism when confronting new technologies
09:05 — Why fears around AI echo the same debates once had about books, cars, and the cloud
13:38 — How automation frees salespeople and engineers to focus on higher-value work
18:51 — Are there technologies that have been net negative for society? Marty’s take
23:21 — Why every generation thinks “this time it’s different”
Memorable Quote
“The biggest things that will change our lives are the ones we don’t even know to ask for yet.” — Marty Ringlein
Call to Action
If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a colleague who’s navigating the AI conversation. Follow The Tech Trek for more conversations that cut through the noise on tech, leadership, and the future of work.
Simon Lam, VP of Engineering at M1, joins the show to unpack one of the trickiest topics in tech careers: how engineers can build influence without a formal leadership title. Too often, influence is mistaken for charisma or public speaking—but Simon explains why it’s really about consistent impact, trust, and understanding how change happens inside teams. If you’re an IC who feels stuck at the “senior wall” or a manager wondering how to better evaluate career growth, this conversation delivers clarity and actionable insight.
Key Takeaways
• Influence isn’t charisma—it’s the result of consistent impact and trust over time
• Engineers can build influence at any stage, from junior to staff, by solving problems and being reliable
• Career progression should tie back to impact, not just who speaks the loudest in the room
• Change management offers a practical lens for understanding influence in technical settings
• Dual career tracks mean engineers don’t need to move into people management to keep advancing
Timestamped Highlights
01:39 Why influence is often misunderstood in engineering careers
05:12 Influence vs charisma—and why you don’t need to be an extrovert
08:47 The virtuous cycle of impact leading to influence
13:20 Are companies biased toward rewarding outspoken engineers?
17:21 Practical ways ICs can start building impact today
22:48 Why you don’t need to manage people to have a leadership career
A line worth remembering
“Consistent impact is how you build influence.” — Simon Lam
Call to Action
If this episode sparked new ways to think about your own career, share it with a teammate who’s navigating the same questions. Follow the show for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of engineering.
CJ King, CTO at Torc Robotics, joins the show to talk about the future of autonomous trucking at scale. Instead of asking “can we build one self-driving truck?” Torc is asking, “how do we safely put 10,000 on the road?” From supply chain transformation to regulatory hurdles, CJ breaks down what it really takes to bring production-ready autonomous semis into the market and why the ripple effects will reach far beyond trucking.
Key Takeaways
• Scaling autonomous vehicles isn’t about prototypes—it’s about building production-ready systems from the ground up.
• Trucks face unique technical challenges, from 1,000-meter perception needs to fully redundant systems that can’t rely on cloud compute.
• Removing driver limitations could extend operations from 8 hours a day to 20, unlocking major gains in supply chain efficiency.
• Regulatory collaboration is critical—success depends on alignment with federal and state agencies, law enforcement, and logistics partners.
• Adoption will come in step-functions: once proven safe and reliable, logistics companies are ready to adopt at scale.
Timestamped Highlights
00:45 – Torc’s focus on hub-to-hub autonomous trucking
02:03 – Why scaling to thousands of trucks matters more than building one prototype
06:48 – The unique technical problems of trucks vs. passenger cars
09:25 – How extended operating hours reshape logistics and supply chains
14:17 – Working with regulators and law enforcement to ensure safety and compliance
17:42 – AV3.0, synthetic data, and billions of miles of training for safer systems
22:31 – Building public trust and societal acceptance of autonomous trucking
25:21 – Why large-scale adoption will happen in step functions, not trickles
A Line That Stuck With Us
“Our bare minimum is to drive as good as a human—our mission is to be safer than one.” – CJ King
Call to Action
If you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone who cares about the future of tech and logistics. Make sure to follow the show so you never miss conversations that dig into how technology is reshaping our world.
Joseph Krause, co-founder and CEO of Radical AI, joins the show to break down how scientific discovery is being reinvented. From the limitations of the traditional trial-and-error model to the rise of AI-driven self-driving labs, Joseph explains how science is moving from slow, serial processes to a parallel model that unlocks breakthroughs at scale. He also dives into the economics of materials, why big companies can’t pivot fast enough, and how the role of scientists is being transformed.
Key Takeaways
The old model of science is serial: slow, linear, and limited by human capacity to read, experiment, and analyze.
Negative results—failed experiments—are the true fuel for breakthroughs, but they’re rarely captured or shared.
Self-driving labs powered by AI create a “materials flywheel,” running 30,000+ experiments a year and learning continuously.
Big corporations are trapped by the innovator’s dilemma and talent challenges, leaving space for startups to lead.
Scientists in the future will focus less on repetitive lab work and more on shaping hypotheses and applying intuition at scale.
Timestamped Highlights
02:00 How science traditionally works and why it’s so slow
05:50 Why mistakes and negative results matter more than we admit
09:40 The fragmentation of research and why labs don’t share data
17:15 Inside a self-driving lab and how AI accelerates discovery
23:40 Why big material companies can’t innovate like startups
35:40 The new role of scientists in an AI-powered discovery world
Memorable Line
“You don’t get a PhD to learn to pipette—you get it to think about how and why the world will change.”
Call to Action
If you enjoyed this conversation, share it with a colleague who geeks out on science and technology. Follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you don’t miss future episodes exploring where tech is headed next.
John Fiedler, SVP of Engineering and CISO at Ironclad, joins the show to unpack the real challenges of technology leadership. From managing nonstop context switching to measuring success when you’re no longer shipping code, John shares hard-earned lessons on how leaders can protect their time, set priorities, and thrive in the chaos. Whether you’re moving from IC to manager or scaling as an executive, this conversation offers a candid look at what it truly takes to lead.
Key Takeaways
• Success in leadership isn’t about features shipped—it’s about execution, people, and culture.
• Context switching is constant, but leaders can design their calendars to minimize the chaos.
• Organizational size reshapes the challenge: startups reward speed, enterprises demand process.
• Protecting your time isn’t optional—leaders who don’t own their calendars quickly burn out.
• The leap from IC to manager requires starting fresh and mastering a new craft.
Timestamped Highlights
02:13 The hidden tax of context switching
06:53 How John measures success as a leader without code
10:45 What really slows executives down inside organizations
15:51 How John protects his calendar and finds focus time
24:47 The lessons every first-time manager needs to hear
A Line That Sticks
“If you don’t control your calendar, your calendar will control you.”
Call to Action
If this episode resonated, share it with a fellow leader navigating the chaos. Subscribe to The Tech Trek on Apple Podcasts and Spotify for more candid conversations about scaling, leadership, and the future of technology.
Alex Salazar, co-founder and CEO of Arcade.dev, joins the show to unpack the realities of building enterprise agents. Conceptually simple but technically hard, agents are reshaping how companies think about workflow automation, security, and human-in-the-loop design. Alex shares why moving from proof-of-concept to production is so challenging, what playbooks actually work, and how enterprises can avoid wasting time and money as this technology accelerates faster than any previous wave.
Key Takeaways
Enterprise agents aren’t chatbots—they’re workflow systems that can take secure, authorized actions.
The real challenge isn’t just building demos but getting to production-grade consistency and accuracy.
Mid-market companies face the steepest climb: limited budgets, limited ML expertise, but the same competitive pressure.
Success starts with finding low-risk, high-impact opportunities and narrowing scope as much as possible.
Authorization is the biggest blocker today; delegated OAuth models are key to unlocking real agent functionality.
Timestamped Highlights
02:02 — Why agents are “just advanced workflow software” but harder to trust than traditional apps
04:53 — The gap between glorified chatbots and real enterprise agents that take action
09:58 — From cloud mistrust to wire transfers: how comfort with automation evolves
14:00 — Chaos at every tier: startups, enterprises, and why the mid-market struggles most
26:21 — The playbook: how to pick use cases, narrow scope, and carry pilots all the way to prod
34:38 — Breaking down agent authorization and why most RAG systems fail in practice
42:09 — Adoption at double speed: what makes this AI wave different from internet and cloud
A Thought That Stuck
“An agent isn’t an agent until it can take action. If all it does is talk, it’s just a chatbot.” — Alex Salazar
Call to Action
If this episode gave you a clearer lens on enterprise agents, share it with a colleague who needs to hear it. And don’t miss future conversations—follow The Tech Trek on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.
Russ d’Sa, founder and CEO of LiveKit, joins the show to unpack the rise of voice AI and what it means for how we interact with technology. From the shift away from static decision trees to dynamic, LLM-powered systems, Russ explains why voice is emerging as one of the most natural interfaces for humans—and one of the most disruptive opportunities for builders. This episode goes beyond surface-level hype to explore real-world use cases, infrastructure shifts, and what’s coming next as voice moves from novelty to mainstream.
Key Takeaways
• Voice AI has moved far beyond Siri and Alexa—LLMs enable open-ended, natural conversations without rigid decision trees.
• Two main categories are emerging: open-ended voice experiences (like tutoring and therapy apps) and goal-oriented workflows (like healthcare intake, finance, and customer support).
• The biggest barrier isn’t just technology, but adoption behavior—older generations default to typing and screens, while younger users and voice-first cultures are accelerating change.
• Infrastructure for voice and video AI requires a fundamental shift from stateless web servers to stateful, long-lived conversational systems.
• The hardest technical challenge ahead: mastering conversational turn-taking so AI can interact as naturally as a human.
Timestamped Highlights
01:06 How LiveKit is giving applications the ability to see, hear, and speak
04:18 The two main categories of voice AI use cases emerging right now
09:53 Why adoption of voice AI depends as much on behavior as on technology
14:20 Imagining a 24/7 voice-driven AI that replaces screens and UIs
20:30 Why the internet’s original infrastructure wasn’t built for voice and video AI
25:39 The challenge of memory, authentication, and group dynamics in AI conversations
A line worth remembering
“If you have a computer that perfectly understands when to speak, when to listen, and adds value in the right moments—why would you ever use anything else?”
Call to Action
If you enjoyed this conversation, share it with a colleague who’s curious about where AI is headed. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you don’t miss future episodes diving into the technologies shaping the next decade.
Sumit Arora, VP of Advanced Technology at Ascend Learning, joins the show to unpack the real challenges of turning AI prototypes into production-ready systems. From managing non-deterministic outputs to rethinking the relationship between engineering and product, Sumit shares hard-earned lessons on what it actually takes to build AI that works at scale. If you’re navigating how to move beyond experiments and deliver AI products that stick, this episode will give you a clear look at the path forward.
Key Takeaways
• Scaling AI is not about building smarter prototypes—it’s about mastering distributed systems, security, and availability.
• The best AI teams combine deep systems engineering with practical product sense.
• Traditional software requirements processes won’t work for AI. Co-creation between product and engineering is essential.
• Innovation pods—small, cross-functional teams—can accelerate experimentation without killing momentum.
• Success at scale comes from modular, reusable AI systems that can plug into multiple contexts.
Timestamped Highlights
02:14 — Why building a working AI demo is easy, but scaling it into a reliable product is hard
04:49 — Lessons from the big data revolution and how AI is moving even faster
08:41 — The skill sets AI teams really need and why distributed systems expertise trumps pure ML
13:13 — Designing user experiences for AI and why response times redefine UX expectations
17:00 — The evolving relationship between product and engineering in the AI era
23:10 — How innovation pods help organizations experiment without stalling production teams
26:47 — Why modular, self-contained AI systems are the key to scaling across an enterprise
A Line That Stuck
“You can’t requirement doc your way to AI success. Product and engineering have to co-create and move fast.”
Call to Action
If you found this conversation useful, share it with a colleague, subscribe to the show, and leave a quick rating—it helps us bring more tech leaders and practitioners to the table.
Sean McCarthy, co-founder and CEO of BackOps, shares how a career in sales prepared him to build an AI-driven logistics company from the ground up. In this episode, Sean reveals how observing real-world pain points at Amazon inspired BackOps’ mission and why coming from a non-technical background can actually be a founder’s advantage. This is a conversation about scaling, selling, and leading with insight — perfect for anyone thinking about making the leap from operator to founder.
Key Takeaways
- Why non-technical founders are uniquely positioned to solve operational problems with AI
- The mindset shift required to go from running sales to running an entire company
- How to validate an idea before leaving a stable, well-paying job
- What it really takes to hand off sales when it’s been your superpower
- Pricing insights that help ensure you’re building a scalable business
Timestamped Highlights
01:45 Sean’s Amazon journey and what time spent in warehouses taught him about customer pain points
04:14 The moment he saw the same issues plaguing both small and nine-figure sellers — and spotted an opportunity
07:37 How becoming a CEO forced him to rewire his focus beyond sales and build internal infrastructure
12:18 Why having a technical co-founder was non-negotiable — and how AI tooling is changing that equation
15:18 The tough decision to leave Amazon and how he measured risk versus regret
17:59 Learning to let go and trust others with the sales process while still staying close to customers
Memorable Moment
“Talk to the people that would actually buy your product. Measure the pain point. If it’s a one or two out of ten, it’s probably not worth building. If it’s a nine or ten, and they’ll pay for it, now you have something.”
Pro Tips
Validate early and price with intention. Don’t just ask if someone would use your product — ask exactly what they’d pay for it. Those conversations can save months of wasted build time.
Call to Action
If this episode resonated, share it with a friend who’s considering the leap into entrepreneurship. Follow the show for more conversations with founders, operators, and tech leaders building the next generation of companies.
Dmitri Sedov, Chief Data and Analytics Officer at Allvue, joins to explore why transformation isn’t a destination but an ongoing journey. He shares how financial services are navigating the current wave of AI, what it means to balance short-term expectations with long-term strategy, and why open, modular ecosystems are critical to staying competitive. This conversation goes beyond buzzwords to uncover how leaders can embrace change without getting lost in it.
Key Takeaways
• Transformation isn’t about a single endpoint—it’s about staying curious, iterative, and open to multiple paths.
• AI is accelerating faster than previous technology cycles, but its value lies in solving real customer problems, not chasing hype.
• Companies that lagged in past waves of innovation may now have an opportunity to leapfrog forward.
• The smartest moves aren’t “rip and replace” but incremental improvements that build on existing engines.
• Open, interoperable, and modular approaches reduce risk and keep technology flexible for the future.
Timestamped Highlights
01:26 – Why digital transformation is less about checking boxes and more about a mindset shift
09:47 – The balancing act of managing short-term ROI while exploring long-term AI potential
15:25 – A 24-hour hackathon prototype that changed how Dmitri thinks about multi-agent AI
22:34 – Why interoperability and modularity matter more than big monolithic solutions
27:43 – How to plan roadmaps when technology outpaces predictability
31:43 – The future of “human in the loop” and what workforce transformation might look like
A line that stuck
“Transformation is never about reaching one destination. The more you fixate on a single path, the more likely you’ll be left behind.”
Call to Action
If this episode gave you new perspective on AI and transformation, share it with a colleague who’s wrestling with the same challenges. And don’t forget to follow the show so you’re ready for the next conversation on building smarter, more resilient companies.
What if the key to real work-life balance isn’t about escaping work, but transforming it into your outlet for curiosity and passion? In this episode, Hassaan Raza, co-founder and CEO of Tavus, explores how technology is removing friction in our daily lives and why teaching machines to be more human could unlock new levels of creativity, accessibility, and balance. From redefining what “work you love” actually means to the role AI will play in democratizing opportunity, this conversation challenges assumptions and paints a picture of a future where tech becomes a true partner to people.
Key Takeaways
Work-life balance may not come from hobbies outside work, but from making work itself a fulfilling outlet.
Technology’s real value lies in removing friction and making tools more accessible to everyone, not just the highly technical.
AI and human-computing advances could act as equalizers, giving people with different learning styles or backgrounds the same opportunities.
Hollywood dystopias aside, machines can be designed to replace bad tools, not people—and that creates empowerment, not fear.
The future of tech is less about replacement and more about enhancing human creativity, productivity, and quality of life.
Timestamped Highlights
00:33 — Hassaan explains Tavus’ mission to teach machines how to be human.
04:05 — Why some engineers care more about solving puzzles than the outcomes.
07:08 — How passion-driven work blurs the line between career and hobby.
12:12 — The obsession with removing friction and making machines easier to use.
16:37 — Addressing fears about AI taking jobs and reframing the conversation.
20:57 — How AI can open doors for non-traditional learners and democratize education.
A Line That Stands Out
“If you find work that you really love and are passionate about, that can be your outlet—you don’t need balance because the work itself becomes your balance.”
Call to Action
If this episode gave you a fresh perspective on work, technology, and balance, share it with someone who’s wrestling with the same questions. And don’t forget to follow the show so you never miss the next conversation.
Dane Atkinson, CEO and founder of Odeko, joins the show to unpack the reality of evolving as a founder. He shares why the first idea you start with rarely survives, how to know when it’s time to pivot, and why anchoring on a mission instead of a product keeps you in the game. This conversation dives into frameworks for making hard calls, the messy middle of startup life, and what it really takes to endure as a multi-time founder.
Key Takeaways
• Your first idea probably won’t be the one that works—focus on the customer and the mission, not the concept.
• Pivoting is brutal but necessary; small experiments can create the proof you need to shift direction.
• Founders who learn from failure are more likely to succeed in their second or third ventures.
• Having a North Star rooted in mission makes the day-to-day grind and tough decisions bearable.
• The best outcomes come when investors give founders space to experiment and even fail.
Timestamped Highlights
00:43 – Why Odeko’s mission is to help small coffee shops compete with giants
01:44 – The flawed brilliance of Odeko’s first AI-driven product and the hard pivot that followed
05:28 – The painful trap of chasing product-market fit and the danger of sticking too long
10:24 – Building proof for a pivot and the difference between charisma-driven sales and true demand
14:04 – Why most successful founders are “multi-run players” and what VCs often miss about failure
17:02 – How staying mission-driven keeps founders motivated through setbacks
A line worth remembering
“You can change the product, you can change the delivery, but if you have a North Star that matters, you’ll always know how to steer the company back on track.”
Founder Tip
Test new directions quietly alongside your current model. Early prototypes not only prove viability but also help you win over skeptical teammates, boards, and investors.
Call to Action
If this episode gave you something to think about, share it with a fellow founder or operator who’s in the middle of their own evolution. And don’t forget to follow The Tech Trek so you never miss the next conversation on scaling, leadership, and building companies that last.
What does a day in the life of a startup CTO really look like? Mo El Mahallawy, CTO and co-founder of Shepherd, shares the unfiltered journey from being engineer number one to leading a 50-person Series A company. He opens up about the hardest phases of building, what shifts as your company scales, and how he manages energy, priorities, and mental health along the way. This episode is a practical playbook for any founder, CTO, or tech leader navigating growth.
Key Takeaways
• The early days as a startup CTO are often the hardest—you're coding, recruiting, managing, and wearing every hat at once.
• Growth means trading code for vision: shifting from building features to setting direction and enabling your team.
• Time management is only half the battle—energy management and knowing when you do your best work is equally critical.
• Planning is a mental health strategy: when you control your roadmap, you avoid the burnout of constant reaction mode.
• Taking big swings matters more than just paying down tech debt—bets move the business forward.
Timestamped Highlights
02:41 – The origins of Shepherd and why Mo left Airbnb to build in insurance tech.
07:28 – What makes the early-stage CTO role one of the toughest in startups.
10:44 – Mo’s brutally honest description of those days: “like chewing glass.”
16:45 – How the CTO role evolves post-Series A and the challenges of stepping out of code.
20:44 – Why energy balance beats pure time management.
26:42 – Mo’s take on mental health and how planning became his best defense against fatigue.
A line worth remembering
“Your life is going to suck, and then it’s going to be great—but your job is to make this work.”
Pro Tips
• Use your strongest energy hours for high-leverage work, not busywork.
• Build your network early at iconic companies—you’ll rely on those relationships later.
• Don’t shy away from big bets; they create momentum that tech debt never will.
Call to Action
If you found Mo’s story valuable, share this episode with someone thinking about becoming a founder or CTO. And don’t forget to follow the show on your favorite podcast app so you never miss the next set of scaling playbooks.
What does it take to build a startup in a space where the ground shifts every 90 days? Rahul Sonwalkar, founder and CEO of Julius AI, joins the show to share how he navigates product market fit, resource constraints, and constant model evolution while scaling an AI-first company. Instead of relying on long-term roadmaps, Rahul runs Julius with rapid feedback loops, deep user focus, and a mindset that every team member contributes to AI development. This conversation is a playbook for founders and operators facing uncertainty and speed in equal measure.
Key Takeaways
• Why Rahul believes rigid long-term roadmaps can hold founders back in AI and fast-moving markets
• How limited resources force sharper prioritization, and how to decide what makes the cut
• The two-way product market fit Julius found by serving both data teams and business stakeholders
• Why direct user conversations and dogfooding are non-negotiable for early-stage companies
• A glimpse into the future of BI as AI agents that monitor and surface key metrics automatically
Timestamped Highlights
00:43 – Julius AI’s origin story and how Rahul validated product market fit
05:08 – The surprising way both data teams and business users bring Julius into organizations
09:24 – Why Rahul avoids long-term roadmaps and favors month-to-month iteration
13:55 – The role of feedback loops and customer support in shaping product direction
17:27 – How to prioritize when you only have resources for two out of ten critical features
19:39 – Rahul’s vision for how BI and analytics will evolve with AI agents
A Standout Line
“Overnight, things you thought were impossible for the next 12 months can suddenly become possible. That’s why you can’t have a rigid roadmap when building with AI.”
Founder’s Lesson
Use your own product daily. When the entire team feels the same friction as your users, the right priorities become obvious.
Call to Action
If you’re a founder, operator, or investor looking for practical lessons on building in uncertain terrain, follow the show for more conversations like this. And if Rahul’s approach resonated, connect with him on LinkedIn or explore Julius AI.
Matt Lynch, CTO and co-founder of Sage, joins the show to share how his team is using modern technology to transform elderly care. From rethinking outdated nurse call systems to capturing real-time data that improves both patient safety and caregiver retention, Matt breaks down the technical and human challenges of modernizing this critical industry. This is a story of mission-driven innovation, scale, and the surprising role data plays in quality of life.
Key Takeaways
• The aging population is outpacing caregiver availability, creating an urgent need for tech-driven solutions.
• Most facilities still rely on fragmented or low-quality data, making it difficult to improve care.
• Real-time documentation and streamlined workflows give caregivers credit for their work and reduce burnout.
• New technology can deliver results at a fraction of the cost of outdated systems.
• Adoption succeeds when tech is simple, resident-driven, and seamlessly fits into caregiver routines.
Timestamped Highlights
00:34 — Why Sage was founded: the gaps in elderly care tech that inspired three co-founders
04:36 — The looming scale problem: a 40% surge in the aging population with flat caregiver growth
06:56 — How poor data practices erode care quality—and what synchronous documentation changes
12:05 — Why old systems cost 10x more and how modern tools flip the economics
18:06 — Giving caregivers proof of their work and reducing turnover with better data
21:54 — Lessons in building: why focusing on workflow software beat hardware reinvention
A line worth remembering
“Caregivers finally get credit for the work they’re doing—and that completely changes how families and facilities work together.”
Pro Tip
Start simple. In elderly care tech, the real breakthrough wasn’t reinventing hardware but streamlining the caregiver workflow to make adoption natural.
Stay Connected
If this episode resonated, share it with a friend in tech or healthcare. Don’t forget to follow the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so you never miss new conversations with the builders shaping our future.
What does it really mean to build in stealth—and when does it help or hurt? In this episode, Amir sits down with Yoni Michael, co-founder of Typedef, an AI infrastructure startup that recently came out of stealth. Yoni shares why his team chose to stay under the radar early on, how they balanced secrecy with customer discovery, and the lessons they learned about finding product-market fit in a noisy AI landscape. If you’re a founder or tech leader navigating early-stage strategy, this conversation offers practical insights you can apply right away.
Key Takeaways
• Stealth mode isn’t all or nothing—there’s a spectrum between total secrecy and open visibility
• Execution and speed of iteration matter more than protecting “the idea”
• Customer discovery should start before you even write code
• Messaging is never final—test, refine, and keep adjusting as you learn from design partners
• Investors expect shifts at the seed stage, but keeping them in the loop builds trust
Timestamped Highlights
00:38 — Why Typedef chose to launch in stealth and what they’re building in AI infrastructure
04:31 — The double-edged sword of operating in a crowded AI market
09:22 — How Yoni approaches customer discovery without giving away too much
13:55 — Shaping messaging and narrative before coming out of stealth
19:49 — Managing investor expectations when your product vision evolves
25:21 — How to connect with Yoni for advice and community in AI infra
A line that stuck with us
“Your competitive edge isn’t the idea—it’s the ability to execute and course correct fast enough to hit your runway.”
Resources mentioned
• Typedef: typedef.ai
• FENEC open-source framework: [GitHub link from Typedef site]
• Yoni Michael on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yonimichael
Pro Tips
Yoni advises founders to test messaging as early as possible—whether through decks, demo sandboxes, or LinkedIn posts. The feedback loop is as valuable as product feedback.
Stay connected
If this episode gave you something to think about, share it with a founder or tech leader who’d benefit. And don’t forget to follow The Tech Trek on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you never miss future conversations.
Simone Kalmakis, VP of Engineering at Viam, joins the show to share what it takes to lead teams that bridge hardware and software in the robotics space. With a background in software and machine learning, she now manages engineers with expertise ranging from code to mechanical systems. Simone talks about how she fosters collaboration across disciplines, adapts her leadership style, and keeps her teams aligned while building cutting-edge robotics solutions. If you want to understand what it’s really like to lead at the intersection of AI, software, and hardware, this conversation is for you.
Key Takeaways
• Why managing hardware and software together requires humility, curiosity, and alignment
• How integrating testing across both domains changes the development process
• The role of “20% projects” in helping engineers learn and innovate faster
• Why passion and purpose matter more than hours worked when it comes to work-life balance
• Why strong engineers without PhDs can still excel in robotics and AI
Timestamped Highlights
01:05 — How Viam bridges the gap between physical devices and AI
04:04 — The challenges of testing hardware versus software, and why small changes have big consequences
10:57 — How hobbyist projects and 20% time accelerated Simone’s growth as a leader in robotics
14:09 — What one-on-ones look like when leading both software and mechanical engineers
16:14 — Attracting and retaining top robotics and AI talent in a competitive market
22:54 — How passion and vision drive sustainable work-life balance in high-pressure environments
A Line That Stuck With Us
“Even the slightest change in hardware can have huge ramifications, and it’s humbling to lead people whose expertise far outweighs your own.”
Call to Action
If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a colleague who’s curious about robotics or leadership at the hardware-software frontier. And don’t forget to follow the show so you never miss insights from top tech leaders.
What does it really mean to be data-driven? Mark Gergess, VP of Data and BI at DoubleVerify, joins the show to unpack how data teams can go beyond dashboards to drive meaningful business action. From building an internal consulting lens to evaluating the latest AI tools, Mark shares how his team translates complex data flows into measurable revenue impact. If you’ve ever wrestled with the gap between insights and outcomes, this conversation will hit home.
Key Takeaways
• Being data-driven is about driving action, not just reporting numbers
• Stakeholders don’t care about your data problems—they care about business outcomes
• The biggest challenge with AI adoption isn’t the model, it’s the use cases
• Efficiency gains from AI should shift focus from ETL tasks to solving real business problems
• Data culture health is measured by how naturally teams rely on data day-to-day
Timestamped Highlights
01:17 How DoubleVerify helps advertisers build safer, more effective digital campaigns
04:55 Why the definition of “data-driven” still varies and why it matters
09:25 Measuring whether data efforts are moving the needle on revenue
13:15 How to separate hype from value when evaluating AI and GenAI tools
17:10 Lessons from the data science boom and why companies must go “all in” with AI
25:31 Can AI act as your junior analyst? Where efficiency gains really show up
27:01 How freeing up time changes the structure of data teams and boosts business impact
A thought worth holding onto
“It’s not about dashboards. It’s not about reporting. It’s about doing something with the information.”
Pro Tips
Mark recommends treating AI as a “junior analyst”—let it handle quick, lower-priority questions so your team can focus on bigger business challenges.
Call to Action
Enjoyed the conversation? Share this episode with a colleague who talks about being “data-driven.” Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and connect with me on LinkedIn for more insights from leaders shaping the future of data and technology.
Teddy Solomon, co-founder and CEO of Fizz, joins the show to share his journey from Stanford dropout to leading one of the fastest-growing Gen Z social platforms. In this conversation, Teddy breaks down what it’s like to learn leadership on the fly, the misconceptions around Gen Z founders, and how he’s scaling a product used by 95% of students at some of the top universities in the country. His story is a rare look at what it takes to build, adapt, and lead with composure at a young age.
Key Takeaways
• How Teddy turned a pandemic side project into the leading college social platform in the U.S.
• Why staying “high with the lows and low with the highs” is his guiding principle for leadership and culture
• The role of mentorship and humility in navigating early CEO decisions
• How to earn respect and lead teams older and more experienced than you
• Why real-world interaction still matters in an era dominated by digital connections
Timestamped Highlights
[01:00] Teddy explains how Fizz became the go-to social app for U.S. college campuses
[02:45] The bold decision to drop out of Stanford after meeting a key mentor and investor
[09:15] Why bringing in an external CEO was the best move for the company’s survival
[12:30] Lessons on leadership: performing your best in the worst moments
[15:59] The reality of leading teams as a young founder
[18:45] Challenging Gen Z stereotypes through action and connection
Memorable Line
“You need to stay high with the lows and low with the highs. If you can perform at your best when things are at their worst, you give your company the best chance to survive.”
Pro Tips
Focus on results and culture. Age, background, and pedigree matter far less than the ability to create a strong team environment and deliver outcomes.
Call to Action
If you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone who’s passionate about leadership and startups. Follow the show for more conversations with founders shaping the future of tech, and connect with us on LinkedIn for behind-the-scenes insights.
Desiree Lee, one of the Business CTOs at Armis, joins Amir to unpack one of the toughest realities in cybersecurity: the biggest risks aren’t always technical, they’re human. From phishing and deepfakes to the way AI is reshaping both attackers’ and defenders’ playbooks, Desiree shares hard-won insights on what companies should actually prioritize. If you’re a tech leader navigating the expanding attack surface, this episode will sharpen how you think about security in the AI era.
Key Takeaways
• Most breaches stem from human behavior, not lack of technology.
• Attackers adopt AI faster because there’s no downside for them—defenders must catch up.
• Fundamentals like patching and asset inventory still make or break resilience.
• AI can reduce noise for security teams by spotting patterns in overwhelming data.
• Small and midsize businesses will benefit from AI-driven tools that lower the barrier to effective security.
Timestamped Highlights
00:34 — How Armis evolved from asset inventory to full security solutions
03:30 — Why security failures are more about psychology than technology
07:32 — The deepfake CFO story and why training alone can’t solve phishing risks
09:18 — Why most enterprises struggle with basics like patching and automation
11:41 — Where AI gives defenders an edge in processing massive data sets
18:33 — Practical ways AI can ease alert fatigue and vulnerability management
21:03 — The overlooked need to label assets by business criticality
A Moment Worth Remembering
“There is no penalty on the attacking side for embracing AI. It’s only good things for them. So they will adopt it quickly.” — Desiree Lee
Resources Mentioned
Armis: armis.com
Desiree Lee on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/desireedlee
Pro Tips
Tagging assets with their business criticality is one of the simplest, highest-impact steps companies can take. It turns asset inventories from static lists into real decision-making tools for AI-driven defense.
Call to Action
If you found this episode valuable, share it with a colleague who’s thinking about security and AI. Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss future conversations with tech leaders pushing the edge of what’s possible.
Chris Ghanbarzadeh, Senior Director of Engineering at Game Changer, joins the show to unpack the shifting landscape of mobile development. From balancing quality with speed to navigating the rise of AI-assisted engineering, Chris shares how teams can adapt to new tools, methodologies, and user expectations. If you’re building mobile products—or leading teams that do—this conversation will sharpen how you think about stability, velocity, and the future of software development.
Key Takeaways
• Why stability is the true driver of long-term speed in mobile development
• How shifts away from native development are reshaping efficiency and delivery
• The role of AI toolchains in accelerating experimentation and engineering workflows
• Why leaders should avoid top-down mandates when introducing AI and instead create space for experimentation
• How AI may reshape software methodologies, from Scrum to requirements gathering and beyond
Timestamped Highlights
01:45 – The eternal challenge of balancing quality with velocity in mobile engineering
06:42 – Why “stability is speed” and how tech debt slows teams down
09:15 – The move away from native development and how it impacts engineering teams
13:27 – Experimenting with AI toolchains and finding the right balance of autonomy and structure
18:05 – Standardization vs freedom: the future of AI tools in the enterprise
22:23 – Will AI change the very way we build and support software?
A standout moment
“Stability is speed. If you’re constantly chasing velocity without shoring up quality, you end up slower in the long run.”
Resources Mentioned
• Game Changer app – scorekeeping and live streaming for youth sports
Pro Tips
Give your teams space to experiment with AI tools. Celebrate learning—even when experiments fail—so engineers build confidence and marketable skills for the future.
Call to Action
Enjoyed this conversation? Follow the show for more insights from engineering and tech leaders, and share this episode with a colleague who’s navigating mobile development or exploring AI in their workflows.
Moinul Khan, co-founder and CEO of Aurascape, joins the show to unpack what it takes to build a cybersecurity startup in the age of AI. With decades of experience at companies like Zscaler, Palo Alto Networks, and FireEye, Moinul shares why AI demands an entirely new security stack, how agentic AI is changing the game, and why prevention—not dashboards—must be at the heart of real solutions. If you’re a tech leader navigating the future of AI and security, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
Key Takeaways
• Traditional security stacks can’t keep up with dynamic, evolving AI tools
• Prevention-focused solutions matter more than dashboards or API visibility
• Agentic AI is both an opportunity and a security challenge that startups must address
• CISOs are rethinking consolidation and becoming more open to best-of-breed solutions in AI security
• Building with a long-term prevention mindset creates stronger, more resilient startups
Timestamped Highlights
00:37 — Aurascape’s mission to deliver an all-encompassing AI security solution
02:27 — The “aha” moment: why legacy firewalls and proxies can’t secure AI
08:23 — How Aurascape’s vision has evolved from public AI tools to securing private and third-party applications
13:17 — Agentic AI, MCP protocols, and why startups need to secure the next wave of AI agents
16:44 — Best-of-breed vs consolidation: where the security market is really heading
20:37 — Advice for founders: why prevention-first is the only real path to solving security problems
A standout moment
“If you try to patch what you have built in the last 20 years, you will fail. If you want to secure AI, you have to build your entire stack from the ground up.” — Moinul Khan
Resources Mentioned
Aurascape.ai
Pro Tip
Don’t build for a quick exit. Focus on prevention, even if it’s the harder road—it’s what truly solves customer problems in cybersecurity.
Call to Action
If you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone exploring AI security. Subscribe or follow the show for more conversations with the builders shaping the future of tech.
Cat Miller, CTPO of Talkiatry, shares her unconventional path from coding to leadership, including a detour into acting before rising into executive roles. She talks candidly about the realities of building a tech career you actually want, navigating transitions from engineering to management, and what it takes to succeed at the VP and C-level. This conversation is packed with lessons for anyone in tech who’s asking themselves, “What’s next for me?”
Key Takeaways
• Career paths in tech don’t have to be linear. Detours can provide perspective that makes you a stronger leader.
• Early dissatisfaction with day-to-day coding doesn’t mean you don’t belong in technology—it often evolves into broader roles.
• Doing your current job really well is often the fastest way to position yourself for growth when opportunity knocks.
• Building a network of peers and mentors is essential when stepping into senior leadership.
• Self-awareness and documenting your wins helps you stay grounded and measure progress at the executive level.
Timestamped Highlights
01:29 — Why coding wasn’t fulfilling long-term and how Cat thought about her next move
04:54 — Leaving a stable job to explore acting, and how planning made the risk manageable
10:35 — Returning to tech and finding the “perfect fit” role that shifted her career trajectory
16:35 — Rethinking work-life balance and how mission-driven work changes the equation
19:17 — Lessons from moving from VP to C-suite and the role luck and preparation both play
24:40 — Why building a strong peer network is critical once you reach the CTO level
29:14 — Tracking wins and staying accountable for your own performance as a leader
Memorable Line
“It just feels really gross to be bad at your job. So why wouldn’t you always do your best to be good at it?”
Pro Tips
Write down your team and personal wins each quarter. It helps you see progress that isn’t always obvious in the day-to-day grind.
Stay Connected
If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who’s navigating their own tech career path. Follow the show for more conversations with leaders who’ve carved their own way forward.
What does it take to reimagine how hardware products are built in a world moving at the speed of AI? Michael Corr, founder and CEO of Duro, shares how he turned two decades of experience in engineering and manufacturing into a modern platform that helps hardware teams move faster and smarter. From journaling early product ideas to navigating the relentless pace of innovation, Michael reveals what it really means to be a founder when the path is anything but straight.
Key takeaways
• Why traditional hardware manufacturing processes create hidden risks—and how software can solve them
• The journaling habit that helped shape Duro’s first product features
• How to balance investor demands with long-term product vision
• The danger of chasing every shiny object as a CEO and how to filter noise for your team
• Why adaptability matters more than rigid 5-year plans in today’s tech landscape
Timestamped highlights
00:36 — How Duro is reinventing product lifecycle management for hardware teams
05:39 — “If I were king for a day…” the origin story of Duro
06:52 — The role of note-taking and journaling in building a company from scratch
09:31 — Staying true to a mission while adapting to market and investor pressures
14:54 — The trap of chasing every customer request and how to avoid burning out your team
19:03 — Why looking beyond 18 months is mostly speculation in a fast-changing industry
Memorable insight
“All we can really focus on is the next 12 to 18 months—everything beyond that is just speculation.”
Resources mentioned
Duro website: getduro.com
Pro tip
When you’re leading a fast-moving company, not every customer request deserves a green light. The best founders know when to say no, even to a big check, to protect long-term focus.
If you enjoyed this episode, follow the show for more conversations with tech leaders shaping the future of software, hardware, and everything in between.
Sean Neville, co-founder and CEO of Catena Labs (and co-founder of Circle), joins the show to explore the rise of AI economics and what it means for the future of payments, trust, and financial systems. From stable coins powering machine-to-machine transactions to identity layers for AI actors, Sean unpacks the building blocks that could reshape how value flows online. This episode is for anyone curious about the intersection of AI, crypto, and the next era of digital finance.
Key Takeaways
• AI actors are evolving into full economic participants, capable of executing payments and workflows.
• Stablecoins provide a more efficient and borderless payment rail compared to legacy systems, especially for AI-driven transactions.
• The biggest hurdle isn’t technology—it’s trust, identity, and accountability in agent-to-agent interactions.
• B2B use cases are likely to adopt AI-powered payments faster than consumer markets due to inefficiencies in existing flows.
• AI to human payouts and human to AI pay-ins will likely arrive before true AI-to-AI payment systems go mainstream.
Timestamped Highlights
00:33 — What Catena Labs is building: a regulated AI-native financial institution
03:16 — Why the internet is becoming agent native and what that means for AI economics
05:35 — The trust hurdle: how AI can move from 60% reliable to 99.9% through tuning and workflows
08:38 — Why legacy payment rails aren’t built for AI actors and how stablecoins change the game
11:59 — The missing piece: agentic identity and why it matters for accountability
15:48 — Could AI actors one day open bank accounts? Building toward semi-autonomous financial participation
19:06 — Why B2B transactions will likely see AI payments before consumers do
24:26 — Stablecoins vs. crypto: why digital dollars are the foundation for AI-native payments
Memorable Line
“If I can’t trust a chatbot to get a chocolate cake recipe right, how can I trust it with my money? Yet at the same time, this is the worst it will ever be—it’s only getting more capable at an unprecedented pace.” – Sean Neville
Resources Mentioned
Catena Labs – catenalabs.com
Sean on X – @PSNeville
Call to Action
If this conversation got you thinking about the future of AI and finance, share it with a colleague who’s curious about the space. Don’t forget to follow the show so you don’t miss the next episode.
Sara Wyman, founder and CEO of Stackpack, joins me to share her journey from investment banking and a Wharton MBA to launching a company that’s redefining how finance and operations teams manage vendors. From surviving the Bear Stearns collapse to scaling Etsy and Affirm through IPOs, Sara’s career has been built on spotting patterns and acting with conviction. In this episode, she breaks down how she validated her idea with 75 CFOs before writing a line of code, why timing and conviction matter more than a perfect resume, and what it really takes to leave the safety of corporate life to build something of your own.
Key Takeaways
• Why solving a problem you’ve lived through yourself is the best foundation for a startup
• How interviewing potential customers before building can double as both research and sales
• Why founders should outsource what they’re not great at instead of spinning wheels
• The hidden advantage of years of work experience when stepping into a founder role
• Why pace setting—not just hiring—is one of the founder’s most critical responsibilities
Timestamped Highlights
00:39 — What Stackpack does and how it helps finance teams gain full visibility into spend and contracts
02:10 — Lessons from investment banking, the Lululemon IPO, and the realization she wanted to be the CEO, not the banker
04:30 — Spotting the problem of vendor chaos and validating it through 75+ CFO conversations
07:12 — The leap from corporate security to founder risk and why timing mattered more than age
12:47 — A different founder path: starting with customers and funding before building the team
17:15 — Why the stereotype of the 24-year-old coder isn’t the reality of most successful exits
19:45 — Hard-earned lessons: outsource what you don’t excel at and embrace the founder role as a pace setter
A Standout Moment
“If you’re not awesome at something, outsource it or find the person that is. You don’t get bonus points for struggling through work that isn’t your strength.”
Pro Tip
Talk to customers before you build. Sara’s early interviews not only validated her idea but converted into her first paying design partners.
Call to Action
If Sara’s journey resonated with you, share this episode with someone considering the founder path. Don’t forget to follow the show on your favorite platform so you never miss stories like this one.
Troy Astorino, co-founder and CTO at PicnicHealth, joins Amir to unpack one of healthcare’s most stubborn problems: fragmented medical records. Troy shares how Picnic Health is using AI to unify patient data, cut through friction, and improve both individual care and clinical research. This conversation dives into the technical, regulatory, and human sides of healthcare data—and why accuracy matters more than ever.
Key Takeaways
• Why interoperability in healthcare has failed despite billions invested
• How AI transforms messy, inconsistent records into unified patient data
• The critical role of low-friction design in patient adoption
• Balancing accuracy, human oversight, and scalability in medical AI
• What recent FDA guidance signals about the future of AI in healthcare
Timestamped Highlights
00:40 — How Picnic Health helps patients and researchers get all their records in one place
05:16 — Why data portability across EMRs is still broken despite decades of effort
09:40 — Friction as the biggest barrier to patient adoption (and why it matters for outcomes)
10:42 — Inside Picnic’s AI pipeline: from raw documents to unified patient profiles
17:18 — Tackling accuracy: expert-level thresholds, guardrails, and continuous auditing
24:47 — Why AI is judged against perfection while humans get a pass on errors
29:45 — The FDA’s evolving approach to regulating AI in healthcare
A thought that stands out:
“Having systems that don’t just work in theory but actually work in practice—because they’re low friction—is critical for real usage in healthcare.”
Resources Mentioned
• Picnic Health: https://picnichealth.com
• FDA Draft Guidance on AI in Healthcare (2024)
• HL7 standards overview (for context on interoperability)
Pro Tips for Tech Leaders
Think about adoption the way Picnic Health does: remove friction first. Even the most sophisticated AI solution fails if the user experience creates barriers. Start with the end user, not the system.
Call to Action
If you found this conversation valuable, share it with someone working in health tech or data science. Subscribe to The Tech Trek on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so you never miss new insights on where tech and leadership intersect.
Pritesh Patel, Director of AI at Fisher Phillips, joins The Tech Trek to unpack how AI is reshaping knowledge-based businesses and what that means for industries like law, consulting, and beyond. From shifting revenue models to practical adoption challenges, Pritesh shares how firms can embrace AI early, stay competitive, and unlock new opportunities. This episode is a roadmap for leaders who want to move from incremental efficiency to real transformation.
Key Takeaways
• AI is disrupting the traditional “revenue per person” model, pushing knowledge firms toward more outcome-driven approaches
• Early adoption matters: experimenting now gives companies a competitive edge rather than playing catch-up later
• Success in AI transformation starts with deeply understanding business outcomes, not just implementing new tools
• Human expertise will remain essential, but AI will free professionals to focus on higher-level, creative problem-solving
• Iteration speed is a critical advantage: nimble firms can innovate faster than larger, slower-moving competitors
Timestamped Highlights
01:32 – Defining knowledge-based businesses and why AI is changing the game
04:33 – How old business models are being disrupted by automation and new expectations
08:55 – Translating technical expertise into outcomes that resonate with non-technical stakeholders
14:23 – A framework for identifying high-impact opportunities before choosing a technology solution
16:34 – Building an innovation engine through fast prototyping and iteration
21:16 – The role of trust, validation, and regulation in the future of AI-powered knowledge work
Quote of the Episode
“You don’t want to be in a situation where you’re adapting late because of competition. If you start early, you can shape the future of your industry instead of reacting to it.” — Pritesh Patel
Pro Tips
• Focus first on business outcomes, not technology. Identify the most impactful functions, then explore how AI can enhance them
• Use prototyping to spark ideas and build momentum. A working demo creates buy-in faster than presentations
Call to Action
If this conversation sparked ideas about how AI could reshape your business, share the episode with a colleague who would benefit. Subscribe to The Tech Trek for more conversations with leaders driving the future of technology, and connect with us on LinkedIn to continue the discussion.
Udhay Durai, Executive Director of Data Platform and Engineering at Evolus, joins the show to unpack his journey from consulting to leading enterprise data teams. He shares how the high-pressure, quick-delivery mindset from consulting can be a secret weapon in a corporate setting, and what changes when you shift from delivering outputs to owning long-term outcomes. From navigating different types of pressure to building sustainable systems that scale, Udhay offers candid insights for anyone considering a similar transition.
Key Takeaways
• The consulting mindset of speed and adaptability can be a major advantage in enterprise roles when paired with long-term thinking
• Pressure exists in both consulting and full-time roles, but the nature of that pressure—and how you manage it—differs greatly
• Consultants focus on outputs, while enterprise leaders are measured on outcomes that stand the test of time
• Generalist experience across domains can complement deep subject matter experts in a corporate team
• Bringing incremental change and a “flywheel” approach from consulting can accelerate enterprise delivery without sacrificing reliability
Timestamped Highlights
01:34 — Why quick wins and stakeholder empathy are essential in consulting
03:28 — How the pressure changes when you own the platform instead of just delivering a project
05:32 — Outputs vs outcomes and why the shift matters in enterprise leadership
09:48 — Turning generalist consulting experience into an asset in a full-time role
11:43 — The biggest mindset and skill gaps to address when making the switch
13:42 — Adapting consulting habits for long-term success in product companies
Quote of the Episode
“Pressure is there in both consulting and enterprise. The difference is in consulting you deliver outputs—enterprise leaders deliver outcomes.”
Resources Mentioned
Udhay Durai on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/udhay-durai
Call to Action
If this episode gave you new perspective on career transitions, share it with a colleague or friend who’s considering a similar move. Follow the show for more real-world tech leadership conversations.
Allan Leinwand, CTO at Webflow, joins me to explore how AI is reshaping engineering workflows, from code generation to team structure. We dig into how AI tools are boosting productivity, enabling faster onboarding for junior engineers, and freeing up senior talent to focus on distributed systems and business-critical challenges. Allan shares real examples of automation in action, how his team measures success, and why the future of software engineering will be even more dynamic than its past.
Key Takeaways
• AI-powered tools like code generation and multimodal debugging are changing how engineers interact with code
• Junior engineers can now ramp up and make meaningful contributions faster than ever before
• Senior engineers are moving closer to the business by tackling architectural and scalability problems
• Automation is cutting down repetitive tasks, increasing flow time, and boosting ship rates
• AI is influencing not just engineering, but also product workflows and even how methodologies like Scrum might evolve
Timestamped Highlights
01:45 – Inside Webflow’s AI-powered engineering stack and tools every developer gets
03:57 – How AI is shifting the engineer–code relationship from typing to prompting and reviewing
07:15 – Why junior engineers are thriving in the age of AI
13:37 – Senior engineers focusing on distributed systems and architectural challenges
16:15 – Automating “paper cut” bug fixes with AI agents and background processes
21:09 – AI’s role in expanding software creation to non-engineers and influencing product workflows
Quote of the Episode
“The relationship with code is changing. We can talk to the code base, use AI to fix bugs, and still have humans in the loop to make sure it’s the right answer.” — Allan Leinwand
Resources Mentioned
• Webflow — https://webflow.com
• Webflow Forums — https://forum.webflow.com
Call to Action
If you found this conversation valuable, share it with another tech leader who’s navigating AI adoption. Follow the show for more insights from engineering leaders shaping the future of work.
Nikola Borisov, CEO and co-founder of Deep Infra, joins the show to unpack the rapid evolution of AI inference, the hardware race powering it, and how startups can actually keep up without burning out. From open source breakthroughs to the business realities of model selection, Nikola shares why speed, efficiency, and strategic focus matter more than ever. If you’re building in AI, this conversation will help you see the road ahead more clearly.
Key Takeaways
• Open source AI models are advancing at a pace that forces founders to choose focus over chasing every release.
• First mover advantage in AI is real but plays out differently than in consumer tech because models are often black boxes to end users.
• Infrastructure and hardware strategy can make or break AI product delivery, especially for startups.
• Efficient inference may become more important than efficient training as AI usage scales.
• Optimizing for specific customer needs can create significant performance and cost advantages.
Timestamped Highlights
[02:12] How far AI has come — and why we’re still under 10% of its future potential
[04:11] The challenge of keeping pace with constant model releases
[08:12] Why differentiation between models still matters for builders
[14:08] The hidden costs and strategies of AI hardware infrastructure
[18:05] Why inference efficiency could eclipse training efficiency
[21:46] Lessons from missed opportunities and unexpected shifts in model innovation
Quote of the Episode
“Being more efficient at inference is going to be way more important than being very efficient at training.” — Nikola Borisov
Resources Mentioned
DeepInfra — https://deepinfra.com
Nikola Borisov on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikolab
Call to Action
If you enjoyed this conversation, share it with someone building in AI and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Your next big idea might just come from the next one.
Zach Lloyd, CEO and founder of Warp, joins The Tech Trek to unpack what it really takes to build tools that transform the developer experience. From rethinking the terminal to balancing product focus with user growth, Zach shares hard-earned lessons from scaling products that developers actually want to use. This is a conversation about building with empathy, understanding workflows, and making deliberate trade-offs that move the needle.
Key Takeaways
• Why deep focus on the developer workflow leads to products that stick
• The importance of balancing big-picture vision with small, iterative improvements
• How to make trade-offs between growth experiments and core product quality
• Why some of the most powerful product ideas come from rethinking “old” tools
• The role of design and speed in shaping developer adoption
Timestamped Highlights
[03:15] The inspiration behind Warp and why the terminal needed rethinking
[09:42] Balancing user requests with long-term product vision
[14:10] How small quality-of-life improvements can have outsized impact
[21:55] Deciding when to invest in growth versus core product work
[28:30] Lessons from building for an audience of highly opinionated users
[36:05] Why the future of dev tools will blend speed, design, and collaboration
Quote of the Episode
“The best products come from understanding the real workflow pain and then removing it in a way that feels almost invisible to the user.”
Resources Mentioned
Warp: https://www.warp.dev
If you enjoyed this conversation, follow The Tech Trek on your favorite podcast platform and connect with me on LinkedIn for more insights from the leaders shaping the future of technology.
Sek Chai, CTO and cofounder of Latent AI, joins The Tech Trek to talk about what it actually takes to get AI running on the edge. We explore the real-world constraints of power, compute, and hardware diversity, why an agent-assisted workflow can accelerate MLOps, and how to choose models that are good enough to ship. Sek also breaks down lessons from selling into the federal market and explains why a clear guiding principle beats chasing every shiny opportunity.
Key Takeaways
Edge AI is a different game than the cloud. Power limits, hardware diversity, and deployment realities have to shape the design from day one.
The best model is the smallest one that delivers the capability and latency you need. Bigger isn’t always better.
An AI agent that understands your data, model, and hardware personas can move teams from idea to deployment much faster.
Whether you’re selling to federal or commercial buyers, lead with capability, then meet security and compliance needs.
A strong tenet should guide product direction and market focus more than raw market size.
Timestamped Highlights
00:30 Why edge optimization matters and what Latent AI does
01:09 The messy reality of heterogeneity and power constraints in edge deployments
02:54 Why most edge AI projects never ship and how an agent can change that
05:03 Mapping MLOps personas and tailoring the workflow for each
11:49 Selling to both federal and commercial buyers without losing focus
15:55 Building a company around a tenet rather than chasing every market
Quote of the Episode
“It’s not the model that you’re really chasing after. It’s that capability.”
Pro Tips
Define capability and constraints first—latency, frame rate, and power budget—then pick and optimize the model.
Collect and use telemetry from experiments and deployments to guide model and hardware choices.
If federal markets are in play, bake security and compliance into your early prototypes.
Call to Action
Enjoyed this episode? Follow The Tech Trek, rate us on Apple or Spotify, and share it with someone working on an edge AI project.
Berit Hoffmann, CEO and co-founder of Korl, joins The Tech Trek to share her candid journey from big tech leader to late-stage startup founder. With a resume that includes Google, Dell, and Sisu, Berit could have landed any top role—but she chose the riskier path of building her own AI company while raising two kids and fundraising while seven months pregnant. In this episode, she opens up about the internal tug-of-war, the realities of balancing family and founder life, and how she’s navigating the fast-moving, hype-driven world of AI. If you're a tech professional wondering when—or whether—to make your own leap, this one’s for you.
Key Takeaways:
Experience doesn’t remove fear—but it can sharpen your confidence in taking big risks
AI founders must constantly recalibrate as models evolve and moats evaporate
The best startups fall in love with the problem, not the initial solution
You don’t have to wait for perfect timing—it might never come
Execution and clarity win over buzzwords in a crowded AI market
Timestamped Highlights:
00:44 — What Korl actually does and why it's different from other AI presentation tools
02:30 — Why Berit waited to found a startup and how early roles shaped her confidence
07:03 — The hidden opportunity costs and fears of starting later in life
11:38 — Her zero-to-one playbook: validate the problem deeply before writing a line of code
15:50 — Fundraising in the age of AI hype and navigating the balance between clarity and buzz
20:33 — How she processes new AI releases and adapts strategy without spinning out
24:45 — What it was really like to raise VC funding while visibly pregnant
30:11 — Her honest take on founder-parent balance: sometimes 80% has to be enough
Quote of the Episode:
“There’s still such a gap between what many AI tools promise and what they actually deliver. Closing that gap is all about execution—and that’s where startups win.”
Resources Mentioned:
Koral: https://www.getkoral.com
Connect with Berit on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/berithoffmann/
Call to Action:
Enjoyed the conversation? Follow The Tech Trek for more real stories from tech builders and startup leaders. Share this episode with someone who's debating their next leap—you never know what might spark them to go for it.
What does it take to lead analytics at a truly global scale? In this episode, Amir sits down with Anant Veeravalli, Global Chief Data and Analytics Officer at Media Brands (part of IPG), to unpack how he built and scaled a Center of Excellence (COE) that spans regions, brands, and disciplines. Anant shares the real-world challenges of aligning thousands of data professionals under one strategic vision—and why analytics is far more than just reporting.
If you're leading data, analytics, or transformation work inside a large enterprise, this one is packed with battle-tested insight on structure, talent, AI adoption, and the real work of enabling data to drive business value.
Key Takeaways
A COE must be built around client outcomes, organizational excellence, and scalable innovation—not just reporting structure
True analytics value comes from harmonizing data, tools, and talent while making insights accessible and actionable
A skills-first approach helps align talent to opportunity, enabling flexibility and specialization at scale
AI isn’t just a buzzword—it’s already reshaping content, audience segmentation, modeling, and competitive intelligence
Communication during change is everything. Transparency, context, and repetition are essential to alignment and trust
Timestamped Highlights
03:00 — Why Media Brands needed a global Center of Excellence for analytics
05:30 — How they approached organizational change and stakeholder education
08:50 — Mapping the COE into four key capabilities: growth, audience analytics, data science, and data engineering
11:50 — Delivering flexible analytics support across diverse clients and geographies
15:45 — How AI is driving faster insights, better segmentation, and creative automation
21:30 — The #1 thing Anant would do differently if starting over: communicate the why more consistently and directly
Quote of the Episode
“We overly underestimate the value of transparent communication. If people don’t understand why the change matters to them, they’ll never be aligned.”
Pro Tips
Invest early in an internal asset library to avoid duplicated effort and unlock speed
When hiring, prioritize specialization over generalization—then connect specialists across a shared framework
Don’t just train on AI tools. Raise the entire organization’s AI literacy
Call to Action
Enjoyed this episode? Follow The Tech Trek for more conversations with leaders building the future of tech, data, and innovation. Share this episode with someone navigating data transformation—or connect with Anant Veeravalli on LinkedIn to keep the conversation going.
What if your phone didn’t need to hold your data at all? In this episode of The Tech Trek, Amir sits down with Jared Shepard, CEO of Hypori, to explore how virtualization at the edge is transforming security, mobility, and data ownership. Jared breaks down Hypori’s secure virtual mobile OS, originally built for the Department of Defense, and how it’s now entering the enterprise and consumer spaces. From eliminating mobile device management to protecting sensitive data from AI exposure, this conversation is a wake-up call for any tech leader thinking about security at the edge.
Key Takeaways:
Hypori’s virtual mobile OS allows users to access enterprise data securely without storing it on their device.
Virtualization collapses the attack surface by removing the edge device as a security risk.
U.S. enterprises prioritize convenience and security, while Europe pushes privacy due to GDPR—Hypori bridges both.
AI will soon enhance Hypori's platform through predictive resource allocation and network optimization.
The military’s extreme security standards helped Hypori harden its platform far beyond typical commercial use cases.
Timestamped Highlights:
01:30 — What Hypori is and how it turns any device into a secure, data-less terminal
05:30 — Real-world BYOD use cases, from consultants to GDPR-compliant European enterprises
11:20 — How virtualization changes the AI risk equation and protects enterprise data from agentic threats
15:50 — Why cybersecurity should stop blaming users and start simplifying their responsibilities
18:45 — How virtualization shrinks the attack surface and simplifies network defense
22:59 — What it’s like building for the Department of Defense and how that shaped Hypori’s product
Quote of the Episode:
“Maybe it doesn’t have to be a company’s fight versus your fight for whose data belongs on your phone. What if we could just take that problem away?”
Resources Mentioned:
Hypori: www.hypori.com
Call to Action:
If this episode got you rethinking your mobile security strategy, share it with your team or your CIO. Subscribe to The Tech Trek for more conversations at the intersection of leadership, innovation, and real-world security.
Feross Aboukhadijeh, founder and CEO of Socket, joins The Tech Trek to pull back the curtain on software supply chain security, why legacy tools are failing, and what it really takes to build trust into modern development. Feross explains how Socket is tackling vulnerabilities most vendors can't even detect and shares why they made a rare early-stage acquisition—and how it’s reshaping their roadmap.
Whether you’re an engineering leader, security pro, or founder eyeing M&A moves, this episode offers sharp insights into product strategy, AI implications, and the real work behind the scenes.
Key Takeaways:
Socket proactively secures the software supply chain by detecting malicious code injections and not just known vulnerabilities
Legacy tools rely on outdated databases and can’t keep up with real-time threats or malicious actors
The explosion of AI-generated code is expanding the attack surface and introducing new vectors like “slop squatting”
Socket’s acquisition of Kawana was driven by tight product fit, culture alignment, and shared technical DNA—not just business rationale
Reachability analysis reduced Socket’s security alert noise by 80 percent, boosting signal and developer trust
Timestamped Highlights:
01:00 — What Socket actually does and why open source dependency risk is a blind spot for most companies
06:40 — Why most tools in this space haven’t solved the real security problem—and how Socket is different
11:50 — AI’s unexpected impact on software security and the rise of hallucinated packages
16:30 — Behind Socket’s acquisition of Kawana and how academic research drove product synergy
22:58 — How integrating the acquisition is evolving Socket’s roadmap and deepening its technical edge
25:00 — What Feross learned from the legal side of M&A and how his past experience at Yahoo helped shape this one
Quote of the Episode:
“We care way more about first-party code than third-party code, even though it all runs in one app. That has to change.”
Resources Mentioned:
Socket: https://socket.dev
Call to Action:
Enjoyed the episode? Follow The Tech Trek to catch conversations with the builders shaping the future. And if you’re deep in security or scaling a dev team, check out socket.dev or reach out to Feross directly—he’s happy to share lessons learned.
What does it take to deliver innovation at just the right moment? In this episode of The Tech Trek, Amir sits down with Eric Hoffert, CTO at Kargo and former video leader at Apple and Spotify, to unpack the art and science of innovation timing. From building QuickTime at Apple to launching video at Spotify a decade before the market caught up, Eric shares stories that blend conviction, timing, and deep tech insight. This episode is a must-listen for anyone thinking about where AI, video, and advertising are headed—and how to lead through the chaos.
Key Takeaways:
Innovation is a blend of vision, timing, and execution—being first doesn’t matter if the world isn’t ready.
AI is shifting us from an attention economy to an intention economy, transforming how video content and advertising are personalized.
The best tech products often emerge from the intersection of diverse disciplines, creative conviction, and platform thinking.
Timing mistakes are common—even industry giants miss the mark by years—but conviction keeps the momentum alive.
Future video experiences will be radically personal, possibly generated in real time based on your preferences.
Timestamped Highlights:
00:58 — What Kargo does and why art + technology is their core advantage
02:04 — The behind-the-scenes story of inventing QuickTime at Apple
12:50 — Why Spotify’s video ambitions in 2011 were 15 years ahead of their time
17:33 — Can advertising become seamless and actually helpful? The AI-powered opportunity
22:23 — Scene-level targeting and privacy-preserving personalization in video
26:49 — Eric’s 3 keys to innovating at the right time: see around corners, surf the wave, move fast
Quote of the Episode:
“We’re shifting from an attention economy to an intention economy—where you’re in the driver’s seat of what you watch, and how it's monetized.”
Call to Action:
If this conversation got you thinking about where tech is headed, share it with a fellow builder or product leader. Follow the show for more deep dives into the minds shaping tomorrow’s tech—and drop a comment to let us know what resonated most.
What if your infrastructure could predict demand before it happens? In this episode, Nilo Rahmani, CEO and co-founder of Thoras AI, breaks down how predictive scaling is transforming the Kubernetes landscape. With over a decade of experience in site reliability engineering, Nilo shares why the observability market is slower to adopt AI—and why that might finally be changing. If you're navigating the pressures of DevOps or building AI tools for technical teams, this conversation is a must-listen.
Key Takeaways
AI adoption in reliability engineering isn’t about replacing humans—it’s about reducing fire drills and enabling better decision-making.
Predictive scaling using ML can dramatically cut cloud costs and reduce latency—without compromising reliability.
DevOps teams remain cautious with AI due to the high stakes of downtime and the need for human-in-the-loop decision-making.
The best tools won’t just optimize infrastructure—they’ll increase engineer confidence and operational readiness.
Nilo's founder journey started with a thesis and became unstoppable once she “couldn’t unsee the better way.”
Timestamped Highlights
[01:02] What Thoras AI actually does—and how it tackles the double challenge of utilization and cost
[03:12] Why reliability engineering is a high-stakes, thankless job and how AI can change that
[08:54] Can AI fully handle outages at 2 a.m.? Why human-in-the-loop still matters
[13:22] The low-hanging fruit: where ML delivers value fast in infrastructure planning
[17:56] Increasing confidence, not replacing engineers—rethinking developer experience with AI
[24:38] Nilo’s founder story: from SRE to CEO, driven by a problem too obvious to ignore
Quote of the Episode
“I couldn’t unsee that there’s a better way. Using machine learning to make decisions in reliability engineering is the obvious next step.”
Resources Mentioned
Thoras AI: thoras.ai
Connect with Nilo on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nilo-devops
Call to Action
Enjoyed this episode? Share it with someone who lives on-call or is building for DevOps teams. Subscribe on your favorite platform and leave a review—it helps more tech professionals discover the show.
What happens when UX design collides with generative AI? In this episode of The Tech Trek, Amir sits down with Mickey Alon, CEO and co-founder of Eucera, to explore how AI-first design is redefining SaaS product experiences. Mickey shares his vision for conversational UX, why menus are becoming obsolete, and how intelligent agents will soon become the most valuable “team member” in your product. If you build, lead, or design in tech—this one will get you thinking differently.
Key Takeaways
• Traditional UI can't keep up with modern feature sets—AI-first UX unlocks faster access to value
• Conversational interfaces offer personalization and productivity that static workflows can't match
• User expectations are evolving rapidly thanks to tools like ChatGPT—SaaS must catch up
• AI-first design challenges product teams to rethink roadmaps, roles, and even user trust
• Future UX will be hybrid: visual, prompt-driven, and increasingly agentic
Timestamped Highlights
03:12 — Why traditional menus break as SaaS features grow
04:45 — The gap between AI-powered hype and true AI-first product experiences
08:25 — How AI can personalize UX based on user skill level and intent
17:50 — The need for audit trails and observability in AI-driven workflows
21:30 — Will UX roles shrink or expand in the age of AI-first design?
25:20 — What happens when every product is just an agent? Where do you differentiate?
Quote of the Episode
“The companies that will deliver AI-first experiences will outperform—because you're deploying the best person in the company, which is the agent, to assist any number of users in real time.”
Call to Action
If this episode made you rethink the future of product design, share it with a teammate or PM who needs to hear it. Subscribe to The Tech Trek for more smart conversations at the edge of tech, product, and leadership. And connect with Mickey Alon on LinkedIn if you want to dive deeper into AI-first UX.
How do we ship code faster without sacrificing quality or accountability? Greg Foster, co-founder and CTO at Graphite, joins the show to unpack how AI is reshaping code reviews, developer workflows, and the very definition of software engineering. From AI-assisted reviews to the challenge of maintaining context in a world of auto-generated code, Greg shares hard-won insights from the front lines of dev tools innovation. If you care about shipping fast, staying secure, and evolving your engineering org for what’s next — this one’s for you.
Key Takeaways
• Code review is becoming more about collaboration and less about bug catching
• AI-generated code introduces a new challenge: how engineers maintain context without writing the code themselves
• Developer experience is shifting toward orchestration, not just authorship — prompting, reviewing, shipping, and owning
• Stack-based workflows are essential for speed, safety, and parallel progress in an AI-assisted world
• Even with AI in the loop, human accountability — especially for security and architecture — remains critical
Timestamped Highlights
2:10 – Why Graphite calls itself “code review for the age of AI”
4:50 – What code review really means today (hint: it's not just about bugs)
8:40 – The hidden cost of losing context when you’re not writing the code
12:05 – How the developer experience is evolving with AI-generated code
16:10 – Is tech debt still a problem if code becomes disposable?
21:00 – Inner vs. outer loops of development — and why the bottleneck is shifting
26:10 – Why we hold AI to a higher standard than human engineers
Quote of the Episode
“We used to get context for free — just by writing the code. But in a world of AI code gen, we’re going to need new ways to absorb and maintain that context.” – Greg Foster
Resources Mentioned
Graphite: https://graphite.dev
Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregmfoster
Email Greg: greg@graphite.dev
Pro Tips
Stack your PRs to keep shipping fast and safely. Whether it’s AI or human writing the code, small, parallelized changes are easier to review, test, and deploy — especially when you're operating at high velocity.
Call to Action
Enjoyed this episode? Share it with a fellow engineer, follow the show, and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. For more insights like this, connect with us on LinkedIn or subscribe to our newsletter.
What does it take to build startups that last and come back for more? In this episode, Amir sits down with Russ Fradin, serial founder, longtime investor, and now CEO of Larridn. With nearly 30 years of experience and billions raised across multiple ventures, Russ shares what he’s learned about founding companies, hiring the right people, navigating pivots, and representing other people’s money with integrity. This isn’t a highlight reel. It’s a grounded, real-world look at what actually makes a great founder.
Key Takeaways
• Great founders haven’t changed. The barriers to entry have
• The best ideas evolve constantly. Early-stage success is about the team
• Founding with the right people creates longevity and joy in the journey
• Angel investors are betting on judgment, not just ideas
• Fulfillment comes from building with people you respect and admire
Timestamped Highlights
00:53 Why Russ and his co-founder launched Larridn to reimagine productivity in the age of AI
03:48 Lessons from 29 years of company building, from pre-Netscape to today
05:36 How the startup world has changed and what hasn’t since the 90s
12:06 What makes the journey worthwhile even when startups fail
14:56 How Russ chose the right co-founders and why it still matters most
17:52 Knowing which idea to chase and when to pivot with purpose
21:24 What representing other people’s money really means to him as a founder and angel investor
Quote of the Episode
“There’s just nothing better you can do with your time than go to work every day trying to build something amazing with amazing people.”
Pro Tips
When choosing your next venture, ask: where do I have unfair advantage? It’s not just about solving a big problem. It’s about solving the one you’re uniquely qualified to tackle.
Call to Action
Enjoyed this episode? Share it with a founder or investor in your circle. Subscribe to The Tech Trek for more conversations with leaders who’ve done the work and are still doing it. Follow Amir on LinkedIn for more insights and episode drops.
What do founders get wrong when trying to build a startup? Jeff Gibson, CTO and co-founder at Kintsugi, joins the show to break down how he approaches building around real business problems—not flashy features. Drawing from pre-IPO roles at Atlassian and his journey scaling Kintsugi, Jeff shares why understanding cash flow, revenue mechanics, and operational bottlenecks is critical for building something that lasts. Whether you're a startup founder or tech leader, this one’s full of sharp insights on building with purpose.
Key Takeaways
• Solving “boring” problems can be wildly valuable—if you understand where the money flows
• Great businesses start with a clear grasp of what companies actually value, not just what users say they want
• Pre-IPO cleanup reveals hidden complexity in compliance, revenue recognition, and internal tooling
• Pivoting without a strong North Star leads to wasted cycles; solve for the cause, not just symptoms
• Not every successful business needs to be venture scale—but it does need to be viable and focused
Timestamped Highlights
01:17 — What Kintsugi actually does, and why indirect tax is a massive hidden challenge
03:49 — The “pre-IPO cleanup” playbook and how it shaped Jeff’s understanding of business systems
06:52 — Why chasing product-market fit is risky if you don’t deeply understand the business problem
09:44 — Talking to 100 customers before writing a single line of code
12:57 — The opportunity in low-innovation, high-value spaces (think CRMs, billing, compliance)
16:44 — Niche wins: why a $10M business in a focused segment can be more valuable than chasing unicorn status
Quote of the Episode
“You don’t want to find a boring problem that’s commoditized. You want a boring problem that’s valuable.”
Resources Mentioned
• Kintsugi: https://www.kintsugi.com
Call to Action
If you found Jeff’s insights helpful, follow The Tech Trek for more conversations with builders and leaders shaping the future of tech. Share this episode with a founder friend, and don’t forget to subscribe wherever you listen. Want to keep the conversation going? Connect with Jeff on LinkedIn.
Ashok Srinivasan, SVP of Engineering at Aledade, joins The Tech Trek to break down what it really means to have impact as an engineering leader. With experience at Microsoft, Snapchat, Indeed, Dropbox, and now Aledade, Ashok brings clarity on how to assess your value, earn trust, and align technical strategy to business outcomes. Whether you're leading at a scrappy startup or an enterprise giant, this conversation offers a grounded and practical lens on leading with purpose, adjusting your playbook, and knowing when to pivot.
Key Takeaways
• Your first 90 days as a leader should be about listening, learning the culture, and earning trust
• Technical strategy only matters if it maps to business value—long-term bets need short-term execution
• Engineering leadership changes based on company stage: wartime vs peacetime, scale vs speed
• Culture and resilience matter more than expertise—especially in remote, high-change environments
• Great leaders don't just bring the right tools—they know when to use them, and when to stay curious
Timestamped Highlights
00:36 — What Aledade does and why healthcare impact is personal
02:14 — From chip design to engineering leadership: Ashok’s career journey
04:09 — Matching your leadership style to company stage and market dynamics
06:39 — Why trust-building matters more than early change-making
10:24 — How Ashok evaluates engineering impact across people, product, and execution
13:13 — The thrill of learning new business models—and why he keeps switching industries
16:41 — Aligning OKRs with team performance while still shipping hands-on
21:51 — The most underrated skill in engineering orgs: resilience in the face of ambiguity
Quote of the Episode
“Strategies change all the time. If your team isn’t aligned through culture, they won’t be ready to pivot—and that’s what really holds you back.” — Ashok Srinivas
Resources Mentioned
• Radical Candor by Kim Scott
Call to Action
Enjoyed the episode? Share it with an engineering leader you respect. Then subscribe to The Tech Trek so you never miss conversations like this—real insights from people building the future.
Vijaye Raji, CEO and founder of Statsig, left two decades of success at Microsoft and Facebook to start from scratch—at age 41. In this episode of The Tech Trek, we unpack the mindset, planning, and trade-offs that come with becoming a first-time founder later in life. If you've ever wondered what it really takes to leave the safety of big tech to chase a startup dream, this one’s for you.
What You’ll Learn
• Why Vijaye treated the decision to become a founder separately from the idea for Statsig
• How he de-risked the leap by financially preparing his family for the journey
• The emotional rollercoaster of being a solo founder—and how he stays grounded
• The biggest blind spots coming from big tech to startup life (hello, sales and SOX compliance)
• How he thinks about pivoting, product strategy, and avoiding the “limping-along” trap
Timestamps to Catch
02:03 – Why he walked away from Meta and Microsoft
04:32 – The real difference between “wanting to start a company” and knowing what to build
06:17 – How he set a 10-year plan—and avoided the dangerous middle zone
11:54 – What he didn’t know until he had to do it himself: sales, marketing, compliance
15:28 – How he structured support at home to take the leap without a co-founder
21:40 – Tactical advice for future founders to build toward entrepreneurship intentionally
Quote of the Episode
“Startup is not an individual affair—it’s a family affair. It affects people around you in subtle ways, and some not so subtle.”
Resources Mentioned
• Statsig: https://www.statsig.com
• Connect with Vijaye on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vijaye
Pro Tip from Vijaye
If you’re planning to start a company in the next five years, structure your career today to pick up the missing skills: sales, marketing, financials, hiring, and firing. Be intentional about it.
Enjoyed the episode?
Follow The Tech Trek for more real conversations with startup builders, tech leaders, and product thinkers. Like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who’s thinking about taking the leap. And if you’ve got thoughts or feedback—drop a comment or connect on LinkedIn.
What if your data science team could drive business outcomes across products, not just models? In this episode, Hicham El-Hassani shares a tested blueprint for building data teams that are adaptable, retention-proof, and ready to ship.
With 18 years of experience, Hicham has led high-impact data science orgs across insurance and software—and he’s not afraid to challenge the standard playbook. He explains why most teams fail to scale, how generalist data scientists can outperform specialists, and what actually matters in model success (hint: it’s not just the algorithm).
Whether you’re a technical leader, hiring manager, or data practitioner, this conversation is packed with insights on how to design for execution, avoid attrition, and get your models into production—fast.
Key Takeaways
Data science orgs need flexible, crew-style structures—not rigid vertical silos
Generalists thrive when given exposure, ownership, and tailored training
Feature engineering and domain context often beat algorithm tuning
Execution and documentation matter more than flashy tools
GenAI will boost productivity—but won’t replace real data science judgment
Timestamped Highlights
02:00 — Why rigid, specialized teams backfire in data orgs
06:45 — The real value of domain knowledge and how to build it quickly
11:50 — How data scientists can shape sales, pricing, and go-to-market strategy
17:30 — A four-phase matrix to structure projects and reduce context switching
23:00 — How AI tools are already speeding up DS workflows (and what’s next)
26:00 — One habit that separates scalable teams from forgettable ones
Quote of the Episode
"Cross-pollination is the best thing—when data scientists are exposed to different business problems, they evolve faster and stay longer."
Call to Action
Enjoyed the conversation? Share this episode with someone building or managing a data team. And if you haven’t yet, subscribe to The Tech Trek for more no-fluff insights from leaders building the future of tech.
What does the “long tail” of AI really look like in a highly regulated industry? In this episode, Dave Wollenberg, VP of Enterprise Data & Analytics at Scan, breaks it down. From cautious experimentation to enabling non-technical users to build AI-driven POCs, Dave shares a grounded, practical perspective on AI adoption inside a Medicare Advantage organization.
You’ll hear why the real transformation isn’t just technical—it’s cultural. We talk about how to shift employee mindsets, educate business teams, and unlock self-service analytics while staying compliant. If you’re a tech or data leader trying to separate hype from real value, this one’s for you.
Key Takeaways:
The long tail of AI means rethinking roles—not just automating tasks
Real AI enablement starts with data quality, governance, and semantic clarity
Non-technical employees can (and should) build AI proof-of-concepts
Change management will make or break your AI strategy
In regulated industries, open source and secure deployment models matter
Timestamped Highlights:
00:55 – What Scan Health Plan does and why AI matters in healthcare
03:10 – From machine learning to generative AI: how use cases have evolved
08:15 – Three types of business users and how to upskill them for AI
12:40 – Shifting expectations: stakeholders want AI-powered insights, now
15:20 – Why self-service BI still falls short without a solid data foundation
18:35 – AI adoption isn’t just IT’s job—business users need to lead too
22:15 – Navigating AI in regulated industries: risks, rules, and realities
Quote of the Episode:
“It's not as if there's a certain amount of work in the world, and if AI takes some, there's nothing left to do. When you make people more powerful, they add more value—and you want more of them, not fewer.”
Pro Tips:
Host internal hackathons to build excitement and break down resistance
Use sandbox environments to safely encourage experimentation
Don't wait for technical users—give your business teams the tools to try
Call to Action:
Like what you heard? Share this episode with someone exploring AI adoption in their org. Subscribe to The Tech Trek for more candid conversations with tech leaders on building, scaling, and leading through change.
What happens when you bring Silicon Valley tech thinking into an “unsexy” industry? Alex Jekowsky, Co-founder and CEO of Cents, shares how his vertically integrated platform is quietly transforming garment care—starting with laundromats. In this conversation, Alex breaks down what it takes to digitize an analog industry, earn operator trust, and build deep value with a lean team. If you’ve ever wondered what it really means to build vertical SaaS for SMBs, this is a masterclass.
Key Takeaways
Start with digitization, not disruption—operators don’t need revolution, they need visibility and options.
Building for SMBs means listening first, innovating later. Reliability beats cleverness early on.
A lean team can deliver better quality by being more deliberate, but it comes with execution risk.
Cents’ growth isn’t about horizontal expansion—it’s about going deeper with each customer.
Clear alignment on mission—“garment care”—enables scale without complexity.
Timestamped Highlights
[01:50] – Why laundromats? The overlooked opportunity in an “unsexy” industry
[06:30] – Digitize first, then provide optionality: Cents' real value proposition
[09:40] – Why innovation is an earned right in SMB SaaS
[12:50] – The tradeoffs and benefits of building vertically with a small team
[16:40] – How Cents plans to grow deeper in garment care without chasing new verticals
[21:50] – Culture, clarity, and staying anchored to the mission—how Cents keeps its edge
Quote of the Episode
"Nobody works with you because you're innovative—they work with you because you work."
Resources Mentioned
Cents: https://www.trycents.com
Call to Action
If this episode changed how you think about vertical SaaS or SMB tech, share it with a founder or product leader who needs to hear it. And don’t forget to follow The Tech Trek for more behind-the-scenes stories on building products that actually move industries forward.
How do you turn GenAI excitement into real enterprise value—without leaving people behind?
In this episode, Amir talks with Mike Urban, Chief Technology Operations Officer at Best Egg, about the overlooked muscle every company needs to build: change management. Mike shares how his team is navigating the real-world complexity of bringing GenAI into production across a highly regulated fintech org—while aligning control and risk teams as unexpected champions of innovation.
If you’re trying to move fast without breaking trust, this conversation is packed with lessons.
Key Takeaways:
Change management isn’t a framework—it’s a living process, just like the changes you’re navigating.
GenAI adoption starts with personalized enablement, not just tooling. Everyone has a different “light switch.”
Risk and control functions can be powerful allies in innovation, not blockers—if brought in early.
Gamified onboarding and grassroots advocacy can shift perception and accelerate adoption.
The real value of GenAI isn’t replacement—it’s amplification. Think "thought partner," not "automation engine."
Timestamped Highlights:
00:47 – What Best Egg does and who they serve in the fintech landscape
01:46 – Why traditional change management often fails in tech orgs
07:42 – The GenAI learning curve: why every employee needs their own light switch moment
10:18 – Risk and control teams as enablers of innovation (not roadblocks)
12:39 – A clever GenAI onboarding experiment with Best Egg’s control team
17:01 – Framing GenAI as a productivity co-pilot, not a job replacer
22:33 – Why GenAI's constant evolution might actually make it easier to adopt
Quote of the Episode:
“Every person has their own GenAI light switch—and once it’s on, it doesn’t turn off.”
Call to Action:
If this episode sparked new ideas for how your team can embrace GenAI more effectively, share it with a colleague or drop us a review. And don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode of The Tech Trek. You can also connect with Mike Urban on LinkedIn to continue the conversation.
What does it take to build and scale AI responsibly inside a major media organization?
In this episode, Amir sits down with Arvind Thinagarajan, formerly Head of Enterprise Data Science & Analytics at Gannett (publisher of USA Today), to unpack how they built a volunteer-driven AI Council that governs, guides, and accelerates AI initiatives across the company.
From prioritization frameworks to cross-functional subcommittees, Arvind shares the inner workings of a model that supports nearly 90 AI use cases — and might just inspire how your org tackles AI at scale.
Key Takeaways
– Gannett’s AI Council is fully volunteer-based and cross-functional, giving every department a voice in how AI gets used.
– New AI ideas bubble up from across the org — the council exists to prioritize and support them, not to own or build them.
– Every pilot starts with a scoped business case, clear success metrics, and a timeline.
– The enterprise rollout phase is intentional — ensuring tech used in pilots aligns with the broader IT stack.
– A separate IT Council works alongside the AI Council to avoid duplicate tools and ensure strategic alignment.
Timestamped Highlights
00:57 – What the AI Council is and how it’s structured
03:54 – How the council started and why it matters in media
06:19 – Subcommittees that cover everything from tooling to compliance
09:40 – Where AI use cases come from (hint: it’s not top-down)
11:39 – Who actually builds the solutions, and how governance plays out
16:55 – 87+ tracked use cases and what happens after a pilot succeeds
Quote of the Episode
“The AI Council exists to make sure there are no silos. We’re here to bring the right skill sets, tool sets, and mindsets together — to solve the right problems, the right way.”
Call to Action
If you’re working on AI in a complex org — or trying to sell into one — this episode will give you the playbook from inside a company doing it right.
Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform, share it with a teammate, and if you liked the episode, leave a quick review. It really helps.
What does it take to build AI systems that are private by design—and ready for tomorrow’s regulations?
In this episode, I’m joined by Rishabh Poddar, CTO and Co-founder of Opaque Systems, to explore how data privacy, compliance, and AI innovation intersect in a rapidly evolving landscape. Rishabh breaks down the impact of emerging privacy laws, the risks with agentic AI systems, and why building cryptographic guarantees into the foundation of your AI stack isn’t optional—it’s essential.
Whether you're deploying AI at scale or just experimenting, this conversation will challenge how you think about trust, governance, and the future of responsible AI.
🔑 Key Takeaways
Data privacy laws are tightening—and conflicting with the growing demand for more diverse data to train AI models.
Agentic AI introduces new risk: non-deterministic systems that act independently demand a fresh approach to guardrails and governance.
Opaque Systems' platform keeps sensitive data encrypted throughout the full AI lifecycle, with cryptographic auditability and verifiable access controls.
The future is about adaptability—not one-size-fits-all compliance, but giving organizations the tools to meet evolving laws.
Enterprise example: ServiceNow reinvented their internal helpdesk with agentic AI while preserving strict internal data boundaries.
⏱ Timestamped Highlights
[00:34] – What is Opaque Systems? The confidential AI platform built from UC Berkeley research.
[01:31] – How privacy laws and AI demands are on a collision course—and why that tension led to Opaque’s creation.
[06:24] – The shift from structured data governance to unstructured, agent-driven challenges.
[10:43] – Why humans breaking trust feels different than AI—and how to build for trust without false assumptions.
[15:30] – Real-world case study: How ServiceNow uses AI + Opaque to safeguard confidential data at scale
[21:18] – You can’t wait for laws to settle—future-proof AI systems must offer customizable compliance tools today.
💬 Quote of the Episode
“Privacy and security need to be baked into the design of a system from the ground up—so you’re protected no matter how the laws evolve.”
🛠 Pro Tips
If you’re designing AI applications for enterprise use, map out where data flows—then assume each step is a risk zone.
Invest early in systems that offer auditable, verifiable data usage—this becomes your insurance as laws change.
Don’t assume your platform team should (or can) see all the data. Siloed access isn't a bug—it’s a feature for privacy.
📢 Call to Action
Enjoyed this episode? Follow the show, leave a review, and share it with someone working on AI governance or data privacy. Got questions or thoughts? Reach out to Amir on LinkedIn—he’d love to hear from you.
New episodes drop weekly. Subscribe wherever you listen.
What happens when a data-driven founder leaves Big Tech to tackle a broken healthcare system?
In this episode of The Tech Trek, Amir sits down with Tim Edgar, Co-founder and CTO at Venteur, to unpack how deep personal insight, emotional connection, and data all play a role in identifying real-world problems worth solving. From launching Bing under Satya Nadella to co-founding companies with his sister, Tim shares how his experience across startups and Microsoft shaped his approach to product, purpose, and people.
This one is for builders, operators, and tech professionals who want to do more than just ship features—they want to build something meaningful.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
Startups are fueled by personal conviction: Tim’s best ideas come from emotional moments backed by hard data.
The best founders learn like anthropologists: Talk to people. Watch their reactions. Treat them like masters of their craft.
Complementary co-founders create creative tension: Tim and his sister bring radically different lenses—and that’s their strength.
Big Tech can be an entrepreneurial training ground: Microsoft gave Tim exposure to data scale and mentorship he still draws on today.
Vision + Next Step > Five-Year Plan: Tim shares why obsessing over the next move while keeping an eye on the North Star is his go-to strategy.
⏱️ Timestamped Highlights:
[02:03] – Tim shares the origin story of his first startup—and how a $5 power bill unlocked a much bigger mission.
[03:14] – How growing up with small business owners and private insurance shaped his view of healthcare.
[06:29] – What Tim listens for when validating a problem with customers (hint: it's all about emotion and nuance).
[09:10] – Inside early Microsoft: pitching ideas to Satya Nadella and learning entrepreneurship from within Big Tech.
[13:26] – Building with family: why working with his sister as co-founder has been a superpower, not a liability.
[22:19] – “Vision and next step”: How Tim defines success and stays focused without overplanning the future.
💬 Quote of the Episode:
“Startups are hard. If there’s not some emotional resonance and data that proves it’s worth solving, you won’t have the fuel to keep going.”
🛠️ Resources Mentioned:
Venteur (https://www.venteur.com)
✅ Pro Tips:
When validating an idea, don’t just ask surface-level questions. Let people teach you. Observe their reactions. That’s where the real signals are.
Don’t overlook Big Tech as a training ground. If used intentionally, it can be a launchpad for your founder journey.
🙌 Call to Action:
If you found this episode valuable, share it with a fellow tech leader who’s navigating the leap from ideas to impact.
And don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review.
In this episode of The Tech Trek, Amir sits down with Davy Li, Head of Engineering at Mesa, a startup redefining how homeowners earn rewards on everyday home expenses. Davy shares his personal journey from Big Tech to startup life, unpacks how he’s built Mesa’s engineering team from scratch, and offers a refreshingly candid look at what it means to be an effective leader in a small but growing organization.
From defining cultural values to hiring without a brand name, Davy drops wisdom on leadership, team modeling, and giving engineers the freedom to thrive. If you're building or leading teams in tech—or planning to—this one's packed with insights you can act on today.
🧠 Key Takeaways:
Culture is foundational: Davy built Mesa’s engineering culture before hiring anyone—trust, simplicity, transparency, and bias for action anchor the team.
Give great engineers space: The best devs aren’t waiting on tickets—they’re engaging directly with stakeholders and proposing their own solutions.
Small teams = shared ownership: Davy empowers his team by assigning champions for different technical domains and pushing people outside their lanes.
Startup hiring is scrappy: Without a big brand, Davy had to hustle through referrals and review hundreds of candidates to land A-players.
Upskilling never stops: Whether through reading, podcasts, or trial-by-fire, Davy believes learning is a muscle that needs constant exercise.
🕒 Timestamped Highlights:
(00:40) What Mesa does and how their homeowner rewards work
(02:09) Adjusting from Big Tech to startup: different challenges, different muscles
(03:40) The four cultural values that define Mesa’s engineering org
(06:57) How being closer to the business shifts the way you lead engineering
(09:09) What Davy prioritized when modeling the team from scratch
(11:14) Creating space for engineers to solve real business problems
(13:14) Borrowing from Cash App and Spotify: PR auto-approvals, DRIs, and ownership
(16:50) How Davy closes skill gaps as a manager—and why trying new things matters
(18:31) Promoting psychological safety and cross-functional growth on the team
(21:14) Why he's more hands-on with code now than ever before
(22:47) Startup hiring realities: no brand, no inbound, just grit
(24:55) Best way to reach Davy if you want to connect
💬 Quote to Remember:
“The fastest way to a good idea is to have a lot of ideas—and the fastest way to grow is to just try things.”
🧩 Leadership Tips (from the episode):
- Create psychological safety: Failure should be normalized. That’s how teams experiment and grow.
- Start with culture, not code: Even in the earliest hiring stages, define how you want your team to operate.
- Push responsibility downward: Assign DRIs and let engineers own the full scope of a project—not just the tickets.
- Hire for slope, not just skills: A-players attract A-players, but only if you're willing to dig deep and sell the mission.
In this candid conversation, Bryan Mahoney unpacks his journey from CTO to CEO, exploring what it really takes to evolve beyond the engineering org into leading an entire company. We talk about how his curiosity and hands-on technical skills still shape how he leads today, the mental shifts required to manage AI-driven teams, and how leadership demands evolve as a company scales from services to SaaS.
Along the way, Bryan reflects on AI’s role in shaping engineering culture, the future of career ladders, and the illusion of control in modern software development. If you’ve ever wondered what it means to be a modern tech CEO—or how AI is transforming the very DNA of how we build software—this one is for you.
🔑 Key Takeaways
Accidental CEO: Bryan didn’t set out to become a SaaS CEO—but by leaning into opportunities, he transitioned from a hands-on engineering leader to running a product company.
Curiosity Over Playbooks: Rather than relying on frameworks, Bryan values curiosity as the anchor for decision-making and adaptation, especially in fast-evolving areas like AI.
Engineering Culture in an AI World: Bryan believes AI won’t eliminate engineers—it will amplify those with experience and curiosity. Promotions may speed up, but depth still matters.
Reframing Control in AI Workflows: AI doesn’t remove human control—it shifts it upstream. Engineers become managers of agents, not just code.
The Future of Tech Debt: With strong test coverage and agent support, code may become more disposable. The future of engineering may prioritize outcomes over sacred codebases.
🕰 Timestamped Highlights
00:00 — Intro and Bryan’s path from CTO to CEO
01:43 — His early entrepreneurial background and how Cord “accidentally” became a SaaS company
03:21 — The new skills Bryan had to learn: go-to-market, packaging, and investor relations
06:53 — Why mental models grounded in curiosity matter more than fixed frameworks
09:41 — Staying close to the codebase and why technical empathy gives CEOs an edge
13:22 — AI and the future of engineering ladders: what’s changing and what still matters
18:11 — Could code become disposable? Bryan’s thoughts on AI and tech debt
22:37 — The overlooked challenge: AI may help ship fast, but who’s thinking about maintainability?
24:01 — Engineers as agent managers: redefining accountability in AI-assisted dev work
26:16 — Hollywood glamorized AI, but Bryan reminds us humans are still at the center
💬 Quote of the Episode
“You're still in control. You're not giving it up—you're shifting it. We all need to be managers, not of humans, but of agents.” — Bryan Mahoney
🧠 Career Tips (discussed in episode)
Don’t rush the title: Career progression in engineering should be thoughtful. Output may scale faster with AI, but real impact still requires experience and context.
Upskill across functions: Moving from CTO to CEO means learning sales, go-to-market, and investor relations. Bryan did it by staying curious and surrounding himself with experts.
Stay hands-on if it fuels you: Writing code helped Bryan stay grounded, understand his team better, and maintain technical credibility as a CEO.
📚 Resources Mentioned
Glossier’s Engineering Career Ladder — Bryan open-sourced this while at Glossier. It’s still a great reference for thinking through growth in engineering orgs.
Contact Bryan —
📧 Email: bryan@cord.co
What does it really take to build company culture from the ground up—especially when you’ve done it more than once? In this episode, Amir sits down with Darren Nix, founder and CEO of Steadily Insurance, to talk about the wins and missteps that come with building startups. Darren shares what’s stayed the same (and what hasn’t) across the four companies he’s founded, and why being deliberate about culture is more important than ever.
They get into how founders leave their fingerprints on everything—from hiring to habits—and why your company might accidentally turn into a copy of your employees’ old workplaces if you’re not paying attention. Whether you’re leading a 10-person team or scaling past 100, this episode is packed with hard-earned advice on keeping your culture intentional, honest, and real.
🧠 What You’ll Learn
Why the people you hire, fire, and promote say more about your culture than any value statement
How to avoid building a “Frankenstein culture” from your team’s past jobs
The role of founder intuition—and how it can still shape culture even as you scale
Why candor during hiring isn’t just refreshing—it saves time, trust, and turnover
What it means to find your “culture carriers” when you’re no longer in every interview
⏱ Highlights by Timestamp
00:00 – Intro to Darren & Steadily Insurance
01:29 – What’s the goal when building culture from scratch?
03:08 – The danger of not defining culture early
04:31 – Lessons from 4 startups (and what stuck)
07:10 – Founder imprint: how it changes with scale
09:45 – Why Darren rejected the “high-turnover sales model”
11:47 – Culture as habit: how norms are created (or missed)
13:30 – Transparency in hiring: a true story that worked
18:12 – Founder mode: when gut instincts outperform data
21:31 – “Culture carriers” and how to empower them
22:10 – A brilliant metaphor for why startups shouldn’t all look the same
💬 Quote to Remember
“Trying to do what everybody else does is almost by definition a recipe for an average outcome.” — Darren Nix
🎯 Practical Tips (If You’re a Founder or Manager)
- Be upfront in hiring—describe the real job, not the highlight reel.
- Define culture through action—who you hire and promote speaks louder than anything else.
- Look for early signs—small discomforts often signal big problems later.
- Encourage pattern recognition—intuition is earned, not lucky.
In this episode, Amir sits down with Jay Vijayan, Founder and CEO of Tekion, to explore how digital transformation and AI are modernizing the automotive retail industry. They dive deep into the complexities of dealership systems, the supply chain ripple effects of tariffs, and the evolving consumer experience. Jay explains why legacy systems can't meet today’s expectations and how Tekion is building a unified platform that supports everything from purchase to after-sales. They also unpack why delivering a personalized, seamless customer journey may be the key to loyalty in an industry long seen as purely transactional.
💡 Key Takeaways:
Legacy tech is still rampant: Many dealerships still rely on green-screen legacy systems, which limits innovation and integration.
Experience > Price: In low-margin auto sales, long-term value comes from after-sales service — and a standout experience can beat price competition.
AI + contextual data = competitive advantage: Fragmented data limits insight. A modern tech stack built on a unified data layer unlocks personalization and operational efficiency.
Tariff uncertainty impacts forecasting: The issue isn't just the tariffs themselves — it's the lack of predictability that hampers planning.
Customization matters: Great experience is subjective. AI can help dealers tailor the journey to each customer’s preferences.
🕒 Timestamped Highlights:
00:42 – What Tekion does
Jay introduces Tekion’s end-to-end SaaS platform for automotive retail and OEMs.
01:41 – State of dealership technology
Many dealerships still use 50-year-old systems. The goal is to modernize the full customer journey, not just the front-end.
04:48 – Lessons from Tesla and Apple
It's not about eliminating brick-and-mortar; it’s about giving consumers a seamless experience on their own terms.
08:13 – The hidden complexity of auto supply chains
How global part sourcing and delivery logistics shape the customer experience.
12:44 – Post-COVID supply chain improvements
What OEMs learned from COVID disruptions and how they’re building more resilient supply chains.
15:53 – Data fragmentation and AI limitations
You can’t power AI effectively without unified, contextualized data across the full customer lifecycle.
21:31 – Why experience trumps pricing
Dealerships make slim margins on sales but higher ones on service. Retention hinges on delivering a great experience.
27:58 – What personalization really means
Fancy coffee isn’t always the answer. AI can help decode what kind of experience each customer values most.
💬 Quote of the Episode:
“Experience is something people don’t forget. You may not remember the price, but you always remember how you were treated.” – Jay Vijayan
🧠 Career & Business Tips:
For operators: Don’t just focus on the sale — optimize the long-term relationship. Invest in service retention and personalized experience.
For tech builders: When designing AI-driven tools, infuse business context into your data to make them actionable and useful in real workflows.
For founders: A modern stack isn’t just about efficiency — it’s a growth enabler. Start with a centralized platform if you want scale and insight.
In this episode of The Tech Trek, Amir sits down with Reed McGinley-Stempel, co-founder and CEO of Stytch, to explore what it means for applications to be agent ready. With the rise of agentic AI—intelligent systems that can take actions on behalf of users—the landscape for SaaS and consumer-facing apps is rapidly evolving.
Reed breaks down the core concepts around agent integration, including how apps must prepare to serve not just human users but also AI agents acting on their behalf. They discuss the key challenges companies face: earning user trust, managing consent and privacy, and building in human oversight to minimize costly mistakes.
Using real-world examples like coding agents and calendar tools, Reed illustrates how agent adoption succeeds where there's low friction and built-in validation. He also dives into the double standard AI faces, and why even psychologically, humans might need a "human in the loop" long after AI is capable of operating on its own.
If you're building applications or thinking about AI integrations, this is a forward-looking conversation you won't want to miss.
🧠 Key Takeaways
What “Agent Ready” Really Means: Apps must now prepare for a world where both humans and AI agents interact with them—sometimes autonomously.
Balancing Trust and Control: Consent, data privacy, and human-in-the-loop confirmations are key to gaining user trust in AI agents.
Coding Agents as the First Wave: Software development is a prime use case for agent adoption, thanks to built-in validation workflows and low user friction.
Why Mistakes Hit Harder with AI: Users hold AI to a higher standard than humans—especially when the cost of fixing AI mistakes causes more mental fatigue than doing it manually.
The Psychological Role of Humans: Even as agents improve, a “human in the loop” may remain necessary just to reassure users, much like early elevator operators.
⏱ Timestamped Highlights
00:34 – What Stytch does: An API-first identity platform for customer apps.
01:24 – What it means to be “agent ready” in 2025.
04:29 – The 2 major user concerns: data privacy and efficacy.
08:16 – The risk of losing touch with the end user in agent-driven workflows.
11:03 – Why coding agents gained early traction: low friction + strong validation.
15:58 – Users expect more from AI than junior engineers—sometimes unfairly.
20:23 – How agent workflows challenge traditional notions of data consent.
24:17 – The future of human-in-the-loop: functional now, psychological later.
💬 Notable Quote
“Humans hate friction and they hate mistakes. Agents help reduce friction—but only if they don’t make the kind of mistake that breaks trust.” – Reed McGinley-Stempel
🔗 Resources Mentioned
Stytch: Identity infrastructure for modern apps
🚀 Career Tips (From the Episode)
If you're an engineer, expect your role to shift toward problem solving, not boilerplate coding.
When working with agents, focus on building validation steps into your workflows—they're key to adoption and trust.
Product managers and designers should prioritize consent UX and asynchronous confirmations to balance automation with user control.
In this episode, Amir chats with Jason Fellin, Head of Growth Engineering at OnX Maps, to unpack what makes growth engineering unique. Jason shares how his team focuses on speed, experimentation, and measurable business impact rather than long-term architecture. From hiring strategies to cross-functional collaboration with marketing, this conversation offers a tactical look at building and leading a growth engineering org.
🧠 Key Takeaways:
Validate, Don’t Overbuild: Growth engineering emphasizes testing hypotheses quickly rather than building production-grade features from the start.
Non-traditional Skills Matter: Jason looks for candidates with backgrounds in psychology, finance, or even startups—people who bring statistical thinking and business curiosity.
Tight Marketing Integration: The growth team plays a critical technical role in enabling marketing through experimentation, CRM tools, and MarTech stack support.
Execution Is Kanban, Not Scrum: Speed and flexibility drive the team’s Kanban approach, enabling more fluid iteration on experiments and faster follow-ups on wins.
⏱️ Timestamped Highlights:
00:00 – Intro to Jason Fellin and OnX Maps’ product ecosystem
02:05 – What growth engineering is and why it’s different
04:07 – Skill sets that matter on a growth engineering team
07:19 – Adapting to short-lived code and failed experiments
09:44 – Measuring business impact and tracking team contributions
11:46 – Relationship between growth engineering and marketing
16:04 – Why the team uses Kanban instead of Scrum
19:28 – Advice for engineers who want to move into growth
22:58 – How to connect with Jason
💬 Quote of the Episode:
“We scope to validate, not build… Anything that we build can just be tossed in the wayside of the digital dustbin.” – Jason Fellin
💡 Career Tips (from the episode):
Cultivate a scientific curiosity—always ask “What would happen if…?”
Learn basic statistics—you don’t need deep math, but you should understand how experiment data informs decisions.
Focus on business impact—engineers with a product mindset and interest in KPIs thrive in growth roles.
Practice scoping for speed—know when to prioritize fast iteration over scalable architecture.
In this episode, Amir sits down with Brooke Motta, CEO and co-founder of RAD Security, to unpack her career pivot from sales leadership to becoming a founder in the cybersecurity space. Brooke shares how her go-to-market background shaped her approach to building RAD, the challenge of stepping into technical leadership, how she’s managing growth through hiring, and what’s ahead for security and AI. Whether you're a technical founder or commercial operator, this one’s packed with practical insight.
💡 Key Takeaways:
Sales Skills Scale: Brooke explains how her early career at Rapid7 taught her to build pipeline from scratch—skills that directly translated to startup leadership.
Learning to Lead Technically: She shares how non-technical founders can learn quickly by knowing how they learn, and surrounding themselves with customers and engineers.
Go-To-Market Meets CEO: Juggling the CRO and CEO hats requires recognizing when to zoom out, empower others, and avoid falling back into old comfort zones.
Security Needs Speed: RAD was born to solve the tension between engineering velocity and security friction.
AI for Security Efficiency: RAD’s new AI agentic layer is helping CISOs dramatically cut down GRC and risk reporting times.
⏱️ Timestamped Highlights:
00:37 – What RAD Security does: a CADR platform with an AI layer for better query and integration.
01:28 – Brooke’s sales journey at Rapid7 and how that shaped her operator mindset.
04:06 – CEO vs. sales mindset: learning when to stay in your lane and when to manage across functions.
06:09 – Becoming more technical by learning through founders, engineers, and users.
07:47 – Brooke’s early vision to lead, and why startup DNA suits her better than corporate environments.
09:19 – Building a "can-do" culture and why intangibles matter when hiring.
10:39 – Transitioning from doing the selling to hiring and enabling a sales team.
13:27 – The founding insight: helping security enable engineering speed, not block it.
15:31 – RAD's "do more with less" efficiency campaign for CISOs.
📣 Featured Quote:
“You need to make sure as the leader of your company that you understand the market, your buyers, how your product works—and how people actually use it.” — Brooke Motta
In this episode, Richard Girges, CTO at MNTN, breaks down the appeal and risk of emulating high-profile leaders like Elon Musk or Steve Jobs. From startup life to scaling teams, Richard shares how leaders can avoid the missteps of mimicry and instead cultivate their unique "mode of genius." You’ll learn how intuition, failure, and self-awareness play a vital role in effective leadership—and why copying the “death stare” won’t make you a visionary.
🔑 Key Takeaways
Emulating leaders can be a shortcut—but often a dangerous one. Traits that are easy to imitate (like quirks) may not reflect the true drivers of success.
Leadership styles must align with your personal values and stage of growth. What works at an early-stage startup can break things at scale.
Finding your “mode of genius” means identifying what energizes you and where you're naturally skilled or deeply motivated to improve.
Failure is inevitable—and essential. The best leaders lean into it, learning through feedback loops and rapid testing.
Developing a decision-making framework (like minimal viable tests) helps bypass analysis paralysis.
⏱️ Timestamped Highlights
[00:01:00] What MNTN does: reinventing TV advertising with data-driven performance
[00:03:00] The dangers of misapplying advice from famous founders
[00:06:00] Why we gravitate toward copying successful traits—and why that’s risky
[00:08:00] Emulating Elon Musk? It might work—if you’re still early stage
[00:10:00] What “mode of genius” means—and how Richard found his
[00:13:00] How to decide what leadership traits are worth adopting
[00:15:00] Failure as a feature, not a bug, in startup leadership
[00:17:00] The power of intuition and decision velocity
[00:18:00] MVP-style frameworks to reduce decision fatigue
[00:20:00] Why execution beats overthinking in fast-moving spaces like AI
💬 Quote Worth Sharing
“If you’re not failing, then you’re probably not even running a startup.” — Richard Girges
🧰 Mentioned Resources
Y Combinator's advice: “Do things that don’t scale”
Rand Fishkin’s book (likely “Lost and Founder”): Influential in Richard’s leadership values
💼 Career Advice (from the episode)
Don’t blindly adopt leadership styles—look for alignment with your own values.
Learn through failure. Let intuition guide you and refine it through repetition.
Early in your career, test different leadership behaviors and refine based on what resonates—not just what’s trendy.
Adopt a fast-feedback loop: test small, learn fast, iterate often.
In this episode, Amir sits down with Brian McMahon, CEO and co-founder of Pickle—a fashion rental marketplace aiming to become the Airbnb for everyday items. Brian unpacks how Pickle solved the classic two-sided marketplace dilemma, why hyperlocal supply is their secret weapon, and how AI is powering everything from product tagging to customer support. They also dive into the evolution of Pickle’s fundraising strategy—from getting no investor traction to securing repeat backers. Whether you're building a marketplace, navigating fashion tech, or fundraising in today’s climate, this conversation is packed with insights.
🔑 Key Takeaways
Two-Sided Marketplace Strategy: Pickle launched by creatively seeding inventory from local influencers, solving the chicken-and-egg problem by targeting people who both supply and demand the product.
Supply Drives Growth: In marketplaces like Pickle, supply quality and availability are the key levers for growth and retention.
Fashion Trends = Opportunity: Pickle thrives by leaning into dynamic, trend-based inventory without owning any products—speed and style come from the community.
AI as a Differentiator: From image-based product tagging to automated support for dispute resolution, AI is central to scalability and experience.
Fundraising Realism: Brian shares lessons from struggling to raise initially to now securing back-to-back funding rounds with consistent investors.
⏱️ Timestamped Highlights
00:32 – What is Pickle? A peer-to-peer fashion rental marketplace, like Airbnb for clothes.
02:12 – Creative launch strategy: uploading closets from friends and hosting influencer photoshoots.
05:06 – Why supply matters most in marketplace momentum.
07:45 – How trends impact Pickle’s inventory—and why that’s a strength.
09:24 – Search challenges at scale and the different discovery modes for users.
12:02 – AI applications: product tagging, onboarding inventory, and handling customer disputes.
14:53 – Expansion vision: clothing today, tools, electronics, and party supplies tomorrow
16:51 – Fundraising journey: from no traction to repeat backers.
20:01 – Advice on blocking out market noise and focusing on building a solid business.
21:41 – Connect with Brian: LinkedIn – Brian McMahon
💬 Notable Quote
"The only thing you can control is the quality of your business… Good businesses will find capital if they’re building something that makes sense." — Brian McMahon
📚 Resources Mentioned
Pickle: https://www.rentpickle.com
Investors: Kraft, FirstMark, Burst Capital, FJ Labs
💼 Career Tips (from the episode)
If you're in a peer-to-peer marketplace startup, be patient. Investors often want to see a full year of retention and repeat behavior before committing.
Don’t get distracted by hype events—spend that energy building a product people love
In this episode, Amir sits down with Aaron Painter, CEO of Nametag, to explore how deepfakes and generative AI are reshaping identity security in the workplace. They discuss real-world attacks, such as the MGM breach, and how enterprises are responding with new technologies—from cryptographic identity verification to re-verification protocols. Aaron shares what companies are doing right, where they're vulnerable, and the role of identity in the future of enterprise security.
🧠 Key Takeaways:
Deepfakes aren’t sci-fi anymore: Attacks like the MGM breach show how synthetic audio and video are already being used to bypass security.
The weakest link is recovery, not authentication: Help desk processes, especially for locked-out employees, are prime targets for exploitation.
Identity is now a real-time problem: Enterprises must move beyond one-time verifications and adopt re-verification strategies throughout the employee lifecycle.
Security meets cryptography: Combining AI, biometrics, and cryptographic tools gives defenders an edge over increasingly sophisticated attackers.
🕒 Timestamped Highlights:
00:32 – What Nametag does: High-assurance identity verification for sensitive enterprise scenarios.
02:53 – Breakdown of the MGM attack and how help desk impersonation led to ransomware.
05:42 – Arms race: Deepfake detection vs. deepfake creation—and why cryptography matters more.
08:03 – How awareness of this attack vector is spreading among security professionals.
10:35 – Why global hiring and remote work increase exposure to identity fraud.
12:07 – The maturity of enterprise adoption and where large organizations are in their security journey.
14:54 – One major insight: Identity is not a moment—it’s a continuous process.
18:40 – New use cases: re-verification during suspicious behavior, locked USB ports, or privileged access.
21:35 – The growing complexity of the CISO’s job and why identity is central to security strategy.
23:26 – Aaron’s resource recommendation: follow him and Nametag on LinkedIn for up-to-date insights.
💬 Quote Highlight:
“Identity is a real-time question. It’s not about verifying once—it’s about knowing who someone is at every critical moment.” – Aaron Painter
🛠️ Resources Mentioned:
Nametag: https://www.getnametag.com
Follow Aaron on LinkedIn for ongoing insights and updates about deepfake threats and enterprise identity protection.
📈 Career Tips (from the episode):
If you work in IT, InfoSec, or People Ops: push for better identity verification tools, especially during onboarding and help desk recovery.
Security isn’t just a tech problem—it’s a workflow problem. Recognizing the human and process weaknesses can be just as important as your tools.
Enterprises that treat identity as part of every access point—not just login—are better equipped for a world where AI is both tool and threat.
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In this episode, Amir speaks with Anna Patterson, founder of Ceramic AI, about what it truly means to lead an AI-first company. They unpack the differences between engineering and AI leadership, the chaos and creativity of early-stage research, how Ceramic AI is betting on emerging talent, and why managing AI roadmaps is an exercise in uncertainty and invention. Anna also shares perspectives from her experience at Google and how search engine wars inform today’s AI landscape.
💡 Key Takeaways:
AI Leadership = Research Leadership
Managing AI projects is less like traditional engineering and more like guiding research — with unknowns, pivots, and breakthroughs.
Invention and Market Fit Are Separate Risks
Startups must solve both: the technical challenge and the business case. Success in one doesn't guarantee the other.
Competing with Giants Means Betting on Talent
Ceramic AI doesn’t try to match OpenAI or Anthropic on salaries. Instead, they hire promising but overlooked researchers and invest in their growth.
Motivation is Self-Driven
People with deep academic or research backgrounds bring strong self-motivation — a must-have trait in early-stage, high-risk AI environments.
Vertical AI and Pointed Models Are the Future
Rather than aiming to compete broadly, building specialized models for specific workflows could be the path for emerging players.
⏱️ Timestamped Highlights:
00:38 – Ceramic AI’s efficient training stack for long-context models
01:29 – Why AI leadership mirrors research more than engineering
03:37 – Managing a roadmap when invention and success are uncertain
05:34 – Staying competitive when Big Tech might absorb your feature
07:10 – Prepping new hires for startup chaos
08:49 – How Ceramic AI hires promising talent that others overlook
10:37 – Breakdown of the AI infrastructure pipeline: from pretraining to inference
12:57 – Lessons from search engine wars and how they might reflect AI’sn evolutio
14:42 – The messy near-future of models: distillation, specialization, and competition
16:08 – Keeping morale and creativity high with flexibility, fun, and sleep
18:22 – Balancing coding and leadership as a technical founder
19:31 – How Anna envisions her evolving role at Ceramic AI
🛠️ Mentioned Resources:
Contact Anna: anna@ceramic.ai
🎯 Career Tips (discussed):
Bet on Early Talent: If you're early in your career and not yet established, smaller companies might be more willing to take a chance on your potential than large labs.
Be Startup-Ready: Know what you’re getting into. Embrace ambiguity, multiple directions, and creative chaos — especially in AI startups.
Stay Curious and Motivated: A research mindset — driven by deep curiosity and self-direction — is essential in a domain where there’s no guaranteed outcome.
💬 Quote:
“One thing about researchers… there's a deep self-motivation. Nobody is dying for you to graduate. You have to want it — deeply.” – Anna Patterson
In this episode of The Tech Trek, Amir sits down with Matt Moore, CTO and co-founder of Chainguard, to explore the escalating importance of software supply chain security. From Chainguard’s origin story at Google to the systemic risks enterprises face when consuming open source, Matt shares the lessons, best practices, and technical innovations that help make open source software safer and more reliable. The conversation also touches on AI’s impact on the attack surface, mitigating threats with engineering rigor, and why avoiding long-lived credentials could be your best defense.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
Security Starts with Engineering: Doing engineering right makes security (and even compliance) much easier.
Control the Full Chain: Building from source and applying best practices at every build stage significantly reduces exposure to CVEs.
Attackers Exploit the Edges: Most attacks start small—with a leaked credential or compromised dependency—and cascade through the ecosystem.
AI Introduces New Vectors: As AI tools integrate deeper into dev workflows, they bring both value and new risks that require thoughtful containment.
You Can’t Leak What You Don’t Have: Eliminating long-lived credentials is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce breach risk.
⏱ Timestamped Highlights:
00:45 – What Chainguard does: securing open source consumption and curating safe containers.
02:56 – Chainguard’s origin story and co-founders’ experience at Google.
06:50 – Building minimal, hardened container images from source to mitigate CVEs.
09:40 – Real-world example: how compiler hardening flags protected Chainguard from a high-severity CVE.
10:59 – The invisible sprawl of open source in enterprise stacks—from Kubernetes to AWS SDKs.
15:45 – How leaked credentials power cascading supply chain attacks.
22:30 – “You can't leak what you don't have”: Chainguard's credential-less auth approach.
24:30 – Most breaches come from known vulnerabilities—not zero-days.
25:38 – AI and security: new use cases, new threats, and the need for explainability.
30:41 – AI adoption in enterprises: security best practices still apply, just to new tools and risks.
34:43 – Learn more at chainguard.dev and explore hardened images at images.chainguard.dev.
💼 Career Tips (from the episode):
Don’t wait for zero-days: Most real-world breaches stem from unpatched, well-known vulnerabilities. Ship secure, stay patched.
Build from source: If you're in a security or DevOps role, aim to build and control your stack from the source code up—this provides auditability and trust.
Engineering rigor is a differentiator: Whether you're launching a startup or working in enterprise tech, applying fundamental engineering principles helps you scale securely.
📚 Resources Mentioned:
🛡️ OpenSSF Projects – e.g., SIGstore, Scorecards, SLSA.
🛠 Projects Mentioned: Kubernetes, Istio, Flux, Tekton, Cert-Manager, Cloud Code.
💬 Quote of the Episode:
“If you do engineering right, security becomes easier. And if you do security right, compliance becomes easier.” — Matt Moore
In this episode of The Tech Trek, Christina Garcia, SVP of Engineering at Echo Global Logistics, shares her insights on integrating AI not as a replacement but as a partner in business operations. We unpack how organizations can holistically rethink processes, overcome adoption hurdles, and empower innovators inside the company to co-create AI use cases. Christina also opens up about the unique leadership pressures this wave of transformation brings—and how she manages them.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
AI as a collaborator, not a replacement: The best outcomes come from reimagining processes where AI augments human work, especially in repetitive or low-ROI tasks.
Involve frontline innovators early: The most valuable insights often come from those doing the work. Let them help shape the solution.
Avoid AI hype traps: Not every problem needs generative AI. Use the right tool for the job—and focus on business value, not buzz.
Learning over immediate ROI: Start with low-risk use cases to build organizational muscle and maturity.
Leadership challenge: The pressure isn’t just urgency—it's finding the space to experiment while delivering on core business commitments.
🕒 Timestamped Highlights:
00:00 – Intro & Overview
Christina joins the show to talk about treating AI as a true teammate in the enterprise.
01:58 – AI evolution and tuning complexity
From 1980s DJ boards to modern EQs—how fine-tuning models with vast datasets is changing.
03:40 – Generative AI in action
Using AI for documentation, code reading, legacy systems—real applications that shift ROI.
06:21 – Who should be at the table for AI integration?
It’s not just leadership—bring in the doers, early adopters, and tool testers.
09:40 – Stakeholder enthusiasm and the AI buzz cycle
Why generative AI is unlike previous tech waves—and the danger of inflated expectations.
13:52 – The hammer and flyswatter problem
Helping teams focus on the right use cases without killing excitement.
17:47 – The ROI tradeoff: learn now, pay later
Why experimentation is essential—even if today’s results are fuzzy.
21:42 – What pressure feels like for leaders right now
Carving out capacity, not just funding, is the modern leadership crunch.
24:30 – The compressed AI adoption curve
Companies are jumping in fast—ripping off the learning Band-Aid.
25:11 – Where to connect with Christina
Find her on LinkedIn.
💬 Quote of the Episode:
“If you don’t trust the AI to do the task, and you make a human micromanage it—you’ve actually increased the workload.” – Christina Garcia
📚 Resources Mentioned:
The Innovator’s Dilemma by Clayton Christensen
💼 Career Tips (from the conversation):
Credibility matters when guiding tech decisions: Don’t just say “no”—offer a better path rooted in understanding the problem deeply.
Stakeholder management is key in AI adoption: Be transparent, protect the business, and educate with empathy.
Early involvement = stronger adoption: Let your internal innovators shape and test the tools before rolling out org-wide.
In this episode, Amir sits down with Anthony Jules, Co-Founder and CEO of Robust.AI, to explore how scaling lessons from the early days of Sapient translate into today’s rapidly evolving world of AI and robotics. Anthony shares stories from growing a company from 3 to 4,000 people, what scale teaches you about communication and change, and how being ruthlessly honest about your business creates strategic advantage. From the hype vs. reality of AI to how hardware can stabilize innovation in robotics, this conversation is rich with insights for technologists, entrepreneurs, and leaders navigating change.
🧠 Key Takeaways
Scaling Isn't Linear: Growth comes in step changes. Every size milestone (20, 80, 400 people) brings new communication and leadership challenges.
Be Your Own Harshest Critic: Anticipating problems internally before customers see them helps companies adapt with intention rather than react out of panic.
Conflicting Conversations Are Strategic: To see opportunities clearly, seek out voices that challenge your assumptions.
Hardware Brings Stability to AI: Robotics forces long-term thinking, helping offset the volatility of rapidly shifting AI models.
The Future of Robotics Is Ubiquitous: Anthony believes robotics will become the largest industry in the world in 20 years, driven by economics, not hype.
🕒 Timestamped Highlights
00:41 – What Robust.AI does: collaborative robots for logistics and manufacturing
01:58 – Scaling Sapient from 3 to 4,000 people and lessons learned along the way
04:23 – How communication and organizational structure evolve with growth
07:31 – Being brutally honest about internal problems before they become external ones
11:15 – How to know if you’re chasing a real opportunity or just rationalizing it
14:31 – Transferable skills from big orgs to startups: problem-solving and people leadership
17:53 – Why AI generalists are essential and how fast the AI landscape is changing
21:40 – Robotics as a stabilizer in the age of volatile AI
24:42 – Why robotics will be the dominant global industry in 20 years
28:18 – How to contact Anthony or explore Robust.AI
💬 Quote of the Episode
“Your ability to have large impact is proportional to your ability to get people aligned toward a common goal.” — Anthony Jules
🛠️ Resources Mentioned
Robust.AI website
Contact Anthony directly: anthony@robust.ai
💼 Career Tips (from the conversation)
Find Your Sweet Spot: Anthony notes his strongest impact comes when leading teams of 50–200. Knowing the environment where you thrive is critical for long-term growth.
Feedback Loops Drive Performance: Success isn’t set-and-forget. Constantly revisit goals, resourcing, and alignment.
Stay Open to Reconfiguration: Especially in emerging tech, leaders should be ready to reshape their teams, tools, and focus based on what’s working.
In this episode of The Tech Trek, Amir sits down with Joe Philleo, founder and CEO of Edio, an AI platform transforming K-12 education. Joe shares his journey from building websites in high school to writing a viral essay on Palantir that kickstarted his tech career. He dives into the critical role AI now plays in solving chronic absenteeism and driving measurable academic improvements. The conversation explores how tech is reshaping education—from device adoption post-pandemic to rethinking how we measure and manage learning outcomes.
🔑 Key Takeaways
Tech + Mission = Impact: Joe’s early obsession with improving education led to building Edio, a platform now serving districts ranging from NYC to remote Alaskan towns.
The Device Shift: The pandemic rapidly accelerated device distribution, giving every student access to digital tools—a catalyst for modernizing classrooms.
AI in Attendance: Chronic absenteeism doubled post-pandemic. Edio's AI attendance agent contacts parents in real-time, streamlining interventions and improving student outcomes.
Classroom of 2030: AI will transform how content is delivered—moving beyond lectures and textbooks to highly personalized, interactive, and measurable learning environments.
Change Is Hard—but Happening: Districts act slowly, often bound by 7-year textbook adoption cycles, but solutions like Edio’s attendance tool are gaining fast traction due to obvious value.
⏱️ Timestamped Highlights
00:37 – What Edio does and who it serves—from NYC to rural Alaska.
01:50 – Joe’s early fascination with education and building tech projects.
03:15 – The viral essay on Palantir that launched Joe’s career in tech.
06:20 – Why the pandemic changed everything: devices in every student's hands.
08:20 – The balance of technology vs. traditional materials in modern classrooms.
10:44 – AI-driven attendance tools: how they work and why they matter.
13:37 – Why large school districts can still adopt fast when the ROI is obvious.
17:09 – School systems are large enterprises—change requires true strategic partnership
19:32 – How to contact Joe and learn more about Edio.
💼 Career Tip
Joe’s career took a turn when he wrote an essay that went viral—highlighting the power of publicly sharing your insights. Whether you’re in tech, education, or venture, putting your ideas out into the world can open doors you never expected.
In this episode of The Tech Trek, Amir sits down with Sus Misra, SVP of Data & Analytics at Solve(D) (IPG Health), to unpack what true precision targeting looks like in one of the most regulated industries: pharma. Sus explains how healthcare marketers uniquely leverage individual-level data to connect with professionals like doctors and oncologists—something unheard of in most sectors.
But with great data comes great responsibility. Sus dives into the ethical, regulatory, and technical challenges of working with sensitive healthcare data, from HIPAA compliance to new state-level restrictions that are reshaping how campaigns are executed. He also shares how machine learning and generative AI are beginning to help—but warns they’ll never replace human governance.
Whether you work in data, marketing, or product, this episode is a masterclass in what happens when cutting-edge tech meets hard regulatory walls.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
Individual-Level Targeting in Pharma: The healthcare sector enables direct, measurable communication with doctors using unique identifiers—enabling true 1:1 marketing.
Data Governance is Business-Critical: Mishandling sensitive health data can lead to major fines, shutdowns, or loss of business. Regulatory compliance is non-negotiable.
AI Is Helpful—But Not a Savior: While generative AI and LLMs can accelerate personalization and regulatory response, human oversight remains essential.
Privacy Rules Are Getting Stricter: State-level restrictions are tightening how pharma marketers operate, even down to restrictions like not being able to advertise within 30 miles of a hospital.
Tech vs. Policy: The bottlenecks in pharma marketing are often more policy- than tech-related, requiring coordination with regulators and legal teams, not just engineers.
⏱️ Timestamped Highlights:
00:00 – Intro to Sus Misra and the focus on measurable audience engagement at the individual level
01:01 – How pharma is uniquely positioned to target individuals via data and NPI (National Provider Identifier) systems
04:24 – Key data governance challenges and why even internal stakeholders may be restricted from access
07:36 – Granular modeling and attributing behavior to specific events—down to weather disruptions
09:48 – Why AI and ML were hype for years before becoming usable—and how social platforms still limit data sharing
14:10 – Regulatory hurdles: how pharma ads differ from consumer ads and what that means for data handling
18:30 – State-specific privacy laws (like 30-mile hospital ad bans) and their impact on campaign strategy
22:23 – The promise and limits of generative AI and LLMs for personalization and compliance
26:21 – Where to reach Sus and his parting humor on making others’ jobs feel easier by comparison
💬 Quote of the Episode:
"There are therapies where our objective is to bring people to a hospital—and some states forbid us from placing an ad within 30 miles of one."
📚 Resources Mentioned:
HIPAA and post-HIPAA state-level privacy regulations
NPI (National Provider Identifier) system for healthcare professionals
FDA regulations and their impact on data governance
🎯 Career Tips (from Sus):
If you're in analytics, understand the power—and the responsibility—of data governance. It’s not just a technical task; it's a strategic imperative.
Stay current with regulations. Marketing innovation in pharma isn’t just about tech—it’s about mastering evolving compliance landscapes.
In this episode of The Tech Trek, Brian Clifford, Chief Data Officer at Amica Insurance, shares how his team translates core company values—like exceptional customer service—into actionable AI and data strategies. We explore how Amica approaches pilots, vendor selection, internal adoption, and governance to scale AI effectively and responsibly.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
Value-Driven Data Strategy: Amica anchors its AI and data strategy in core values like customer service and employee engagement—not just tech for tech's sake.
Practical AI Implementation: Rather than chasing flashy use cases, Brian’s team prioritizes “easy wins” to build momentum and user trust.
Governance & Risk-Awareness: All AI initiatives go through structured cost-benefit reviews and risk assessments, especially critical for a legacy insurance firm.
Internal Enablement Is Key: The company invested heavily in internal L&D, communications, and peer communities to ensure scalable adoption of AI tools like Microsoft Copilot.
⏱ Timestamped Highlights:
[00:00] Intro to Brian Clifford, CDO at Amica; focus on AI, data, and company values.
[01:37] Defining Amica’s core values and how data supports customer satisfaction.
[03:35] Translating strategy into data initiatives; how priorities shape metrics.
[05:04] Taking a deliberate approach to AI—early POCs, team engagement, use cases.
[06:55] Why their first AI project failed—and why that was okay.
[09:52] Measuring value: usage, time saved, improved product quality.
[13:16] Governance model and how they assess AI tools before rollout.
[16:26] Year-long roadmap planning while maintaining flexibility for change.
[20:41] Upskilling the team: leveraging vendor training, L&D, and internal forums.
[23:08] Connect with Brian via LinkedIn.
💬 Quote to Share:
“We didn’t pick the hardest tech or the biggest value. We picked what we could deliver—and that built momentum.”
— Brian Clifford
📚 Resources Mentioned:
- Microsoft Copilot – actively being used for internal productivity AI initiatives.
- Internal Communities of Practice – Amica built internal forums to support peer learning and tool adoption.
- AI Governance Committee – jointly led by the CDO and CIO to vet AI vendors and use cases.
💼 Career Tips from the Episode:
- Focus on Practical Wins: Don’t aim for the most complex use case; start small, deliver value, and scale.
- Change Management Matters: Opt-in AI adoption requires more internal marketing, trust-building, and education.
- Learn Through Pilots: Treat all early tech initiatives as pilots. Be willing to pivot or shut things down if they don’t work.
In this deep-dive episode, we explore what it truly means to be "AI-native" versus bolting AI onto existing products. Abhay Mitra, CTO of Nirvana Insurance, shares how his team is building industry-specific AI models to transform the $800B+ commercial insurance market, starting with trucking—one of the most complex and painful sectors in insurance.
From telematics data platforms to fine-tuned underwriting models, discover why commercial insurance might be the perfect proving ground for AI and how a data-first approach is creating unfair advantages for startups competing against century-old incumbents.
Key Takeaways
🎯 AI-Native vs. AI-Enhanced: Know the Difference
AI-Enhanced: Adding chatbots and customer service automation to existing workflows
AI-Native: Building core business logic, pricing, and underwriting around AI models from day one
The key differentiator: domain-specific data and expert annotations that create defensible moats
📊 Data is the New Competitive Moat
Quality beats quantity: Having "heaps of data" means nothing if it's not structured and usable
The real challenge: Correlating data across 20-100 different legacy systems
Version control for AI: You need to remember what models and rules applied at what time to properly train new models
🚛 Why Commercial Insurance is Perfect for AI
10-15x more complex than personal insurance with premiums to match
Highly varied customer profiles that resist traditional automation
Perfect storm: Complex data + high-stakes decisions + massive inefficiencies = AI opportunity
🏗️ Building AI-Native Engineering Teams
Hire for data expertise first, AI expertise second
Invest 5x more time in data quality and expert annotations than traditional SaaS
Focus on reliability and production-readiness, not just impressive demos
💰 The Startup Advantage Over Legacy Players
Legacy companies have data but can't correlate it effectively across systems
Modern data infrastructure beats decades of accumulated technical debt
Speed of iteration trumps size of existing datasets
🕒 Timestamped Highlights:
00:00 – 02:18: Intro to Nirvana Insurance and choosing to tackle the hardest problems in commercial insurance.
03:22 – 06:40: Why off-the-shelf AI isn’t enough and how domain-specific modeling gives Nirvana an edge.
07:28 – 09:55: Defining what's core IP vs. commodity tech when building AI solutions.
10:28 – 13:45: Why commercial insurance is a perfect fit for AI—high complexity, high stakes.
17:10 – 20:13: The difference between data-first and AI-first engineering orgs.
20:58 – 23:59: Why legacy insurers struggle to operationalize their data despite decades of collection.
25:09 – 27:26: What customers actually care about—better outcomes, not flashy tech.
💬 Quote:
“Before AI, this wasn’t even possible. You just couldn’t bring that level of nuance to each individual business. But with these new capabilities, insurance can finally become a tool for safety—not just cost.” — Abhay Mitra
What's Next?
Enjoyed this deep dive into AI-native insurance? Share this episode with your network and subscribe for more conversations with CTOs and engineering leaders building the future of regulated industries.
Questions or feedback? Drop us a line—we read every message and love hearing how these insights are helping you build better products.
In this episode, we dive deep into the evolving relationship between engineering and product with Pranab Krishnan, CTO of Zeal - a payroll and payments platform for staffing companies. We explore how the traditional boundaries between engineering, product management, and customer interaction are dissolving, especially in the age of AI. Pranab shares insights on building a product-centric engineering culture, the concept of "shifting left," and how AI tools are reshaping the skills engineers need to succeed.
Key Takeaways
🎯 Everyone Should Be a Product Person
The most successful startups foster a culture where engineers, designers, and even operations staff think like product managers and maintain direct connections to customer needs.
🤖 AI as the New Abstraction Layer
Just like TypeScript abstracted JavaScript complexity, AI will become another abstraction layer. The future belongs to those who master orchestration, architecture, and agency - not just coding.
🚀 The Flat Organization Future
Teams will become leaner and flatter, with higher expectations for product surface area. Instead of hiring more engineers, companies will be expected to build more comprehensive platforms with the same team size.
⚡ Shift Left Philosophy
Engineers moving closer to business problems and customer interactions, while designers and other roles also expand their responsibilities into traditionally separate domains.
🏗️ Core vs. Edge Development
In regulated industries like fintech, maintain bulletproof core systems while moving fast on user-facing features and interfaces.
Timestamped Highlights
[01:26] The CTO Evolution Journey
[03:44] Building vs. Learning Product Skills
Pranab discusses whether product management is learnable or innate, emphasizing that everyone approaches it differently - some from operations, others from technical backgrounds.
[06:12] The AI Evolution Question
Discussion on whether AI represents an evolution of software engineering or a fundamental paradigm shift away from core coding skills.
[07:21] AI as Abstraction
"My thesis on this is that everything is an abstraction... We are going to see AI becoming abstraction. The skills that I think people will need over the next five to 10 years is... orchestration... and agency."
[10:49] The Backlog Problem
Exploring what happens to product backlogs when engineers can produce more through AI assistance, and the potential for engineers to become natural problem-solvers with more time.
[15:15] Magic Patterns Tool Discussion
Real-world example of AI design tools that allow rapid UI iteration and prototyping with simple prompts.
[21:29] Expertise and AI Questions
"You can judge expertise by the types of questions people ask. And I think these tools... it requires a technical person to ask those questions, because you're not gonna know the nuance of if the answer's correct or not."
[23:38] The Future Hiring Landscape
Prediction that while teams will initially hire fewer engineers, expectations for product complexity will increase, eventually balancing back to similar hiring needs.
[25:13] The Data Advantage
"The big AI company that's going to do this well is most likely going to be the one who has the most data about you. So OpenAI is already poised... I would not be surprised if OpenAI builds its own Netflix, its own web flow, its own e-commerce."
Featured Quote
"Intelligence is on tap, but agency is the core of capitalism. Agency is going to be even more important as intelligence is more easily available to us."
— Pranab Krishnan, referencing Gary Tan
Tools & Resources Mentioned
- Magic Patterns - AI-powered design tool for rapid UI creation
- Zeal - Payroll and payments platform for staffing companies
- Claude Sonnet 3.7 - Referenced for physics simulation capabilities
- Y Combinator philosophy on hiring
Like this episode?
Share it with fellow tech leaders and subscribe for more insights on the intersection of technology, product, and business strategy.
In this episode of The Tech Trek, Vinayak Kumar shares how his team at Lynx strikes a practical balance between innovation and efficiency in the heavily regulated healthcare and finance space. He explains why innovation shouldn’t be forced, how to avoid the "tech in search of a problem" trap, and why pattern-driven execution helps startups scale faster without compromising flexibility.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
Innovation Should Be Embedded, Not Mandated
Innovation at Lynx happens organically—it's not about buzzwords, it's about solving real problems with the right tools.
Avoid “Technology in Search of a Problem”
True innovation stems from understanding the business problem first, then choosing a tool—not the other way around.
The Power of Reusable Patterns
Solving a problem once and codifying the solution into repeatable patterns has helped Lynx grow quickly and stay lean.
Fungibility in Teams Is Critical
Developers are encouraged to work across tech stacks to increase agility and reduce dependency on specialized roles.
🕒 Timestamped Highlights:
[02:55] – Why innovation must be cultural, not a KPI
[05:38] – Real-world example of choosing technology based on a business problem
[07:59] – The trap of adopting AI without a clear use case
[09:49] – Defining and leveraging “cookie cutter” solutions without sacrificing flexibility
[13:10] – A rigorous, fast-paced tech evaluation process in regulated industries
[16:41] – How Lynx builds team flexibility through cross-functional experience
[19:44] – Using agentic AI to automate non-obvious internal tasks like production issue research
💬 Featured Quote:
“We don’t talk about innovation—we just solve problems. And when you do that every day, innovation takes care of itself.”
In this episode, Amir speaks with Ameya Brid, Global Director of Data & Analytics at Invista, about the maturation of GenAI conversations in the enterprise. They dive into the shift from hype to implementation, real-world challenges like data quality and change management, and how composable architecture is helping organizations adapt to rapid innovation cycles.
🔑 Key Takeaways
From Hype to Value: GenAI conversations are moving beyond experimentation into outcome-driven initiatives—but most companies still struggle to define measurable KPIs.
Top Barriers to Scale: Poor data quality, fragmented systems, unclear use cases, and skills gaps continue to stall enterprise GenAI efforts.
Composable > Monolith: Modular, API-driven architectures provide agility to swap components as the tech rapidly evolves.
Change Management Rebooted: Adoption now means embedding insights directly into workflows—not just “viewing reports.”
Upskilling is Social: Peer-driven learning and internal documentation are outperforming formal training in the GenAI era.
🕒 Timestamped Highlights
00:00 – Introduction to Ameya and Invista’s work in manufacturing and chemicals
01:58 – How GenAI conversations have evolved over the past 18 months
03:52 – Marrying business outcomes with AI capabilities
06:04 – The five biggest barriers to GenAI implementation: use case clarity, data quality, skills gap, governance, and change management
11:53 – Managing constant tech evolution with composable architectures
15:02 – Data quality’s outsized impact on GenAI success
17:46 – Why CFOs must now invest in data quality
20:41 – Change management: From “read the dashboard” to “integrate AI into your workflow”
24:03 – Upskilling through shared learning and internal knowledge loops
💬 Quote of the Episode
"The cost of bad data today is far higher than it was 10 or 20 years ago—not just in decision-making, but in the process itself." – Ameya Brid
In this episode of The Tech Trek, Amir sits down with Andy Beam, CTO of Lila Sciences, to explore how AI is transforming the messy, serendipitous nature of scientific discovery into an engineered, scalable process. From automating lab work to accelerating the speed of breakthroughs, Andy explains why the future of science may be less about eureka moments and more about AI-driven iteration.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
Science as Engineering: AI enables science to move from a lucky break model to a systematic engineering process.
Scaling the Scientific Method: Pairing AI with experimentation platforms creates a feedback loop where hypotheses can be tested at unprecedented speed and scale.
Productivity Shift: AI copilots are redefining how scientists (and technologists) interact with their work, elevating humans to higher levels of abstraction.
Compounding Innovation: Once AI systems start discovering consistently, the rate of breakthroughs could go from decades to weeks—shifting timelines across industries.
⏱️ Timestamped Highlights:
00:00 – Intro to Andy Beam and Lila Sciences
01:00 – Why the scientific literature is a record of debate, not facts
03:09 – Science’s reliance on serendipity—and why that’s changing
04:55 – The power of scale in AI and what it means for discovery
06:15 – Andy’s personal shift in programming with AI copilots
08:41 – Will AI cause serendipity instead of waiting for it?
09:38 – The fungibility of speed and intelligence in research
11:47 – The challenge of change management in scientific communities
13:30 – What consumer adoption could look like in a future of constant innovation
💬 Quote:
“What we’re doing is taking the scientific method and scaling it with AI—so instead of waiting for Einstein, we build a million of them and run them 24/7.” – Andy Beam
In this episode of The Tech Trek, Amir speaks with Alexander Schlager, founder and CEO of AIceberg, about how his company has tackled the AI talent shortage by partnering directly with universities. From building relationships with faculty to onboarding students into real-world R&D roles, Alex shares a unique, cost-effective strategy for hiring early-career tech talent and turning them into long-term contributors. It’s a compelling listen for anyone in emerging tech, hiring, or leadership.
🔑 Key Takeaways
Faculty Buy-in Is Crucial: AIceberg’s success hinged on close collaboration with university faculty, ensuring student recruits were well-prepared and supported.
Rethink Talent Pipelines: Instead of competing for senior AI engineers, they invested in training early-career talent—gaining loyalty and retention in return.
Process Over Pedigree: Success in junior hires wasn’t about academic brilliance alone—it required a willingness to follow processes and grow into professional environments.
Retention Through Learning & Ownership: Clear career paths, challenging problems, and the ability to own projects helped retain young talent even with lower initial salaries.
⏱️ Timestamped Highlights
00:30 – What AIceberg does: AI trust platform for monitoring AI interactions
01:39 – The challenges of hiring AI talent in a startup environment
03:17 – Why partnering with faculty made their hiring model work
05:42 – Managing overhead and coaching needs with junior hires
08:02 – Standardizing research and product pipelines with JIRA
10:24 – Who to contact when building university partnerships
11:50 – Why maturity and teamwork matter more than grades alone
14:43 – How AIceberg advises candidates to evaluate offers before accepting
16:49 – Documentation and redundancy reduce risks when junior hires leave
18:30 – From outreach to onboarding: a 3-4 day ramp-up process
20:18 – Fresh perspectives from new grads as a strategic advantage
💬 Quote
“Don’t underestimate the benefit of a fresh brain—students often approach problems in ways seasoned professionals might never consider.”
Wyatt Smith, CEO of UpSmith, joins Amir to unpack how agentic AI is transforming the skilled trades industry. From dispatch optimization to human-in-the-loop workflows, Wyatt shares a practical and visionary lens on how AI can solve deep productivity challenges, empower call centers, and proactively generate business opportunities. If you think AI only disrupts digital industries, this episode will make you think again.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
Agentic AI is unlocking productivity by automating repetitive coordination tasks—like technician dispatching—allowing humans to focus on higher-value interactions.
Skilled trades businesses already have rich data but need tools to surface and act on it proactively rather than reactively.
Selling AI into traditional industries requires proof points, tight business cases, and sensitivity to the human element.
AI augments, not replaces—freeing up people to do work they're best suited for, like nuanced customer engagement.
💬 Highlight Quote:
“Advances in technology automate tasks, not people… Machines do what they're best at so humans can do what they're best at.” – Wyatt Smith
⏱️ Timestamped Highlights:
00:38 – Intro to Wyatt Smith and UpSmith's mission in the skilled trades.
02:51 – Why dispatching the wrong tech to the wrong job is a billion-dollar coordination problem.
05:09 – The customer journey in home services—and where productivity breaks down.
08:54 – AI adoption challenges in the trades and how business owners evaluate new tech.
11:15 – Human-AI dynamics: skepticism, latency, and building trust with agentic systems.
13:49 – “AI creates more work”: how automation changes tasks, not headcount.
17:19 – How UpSmith trains agents like new hires with workflows and documentation.
20:31 – Personalization at scale: how agents remember details from 5 years ago.
23:20 – The future of call centers and human-in-the-loop automation.
25:49 – Wyatt’s contact info and closing reflections.
What separates a successful founder from the rest? In this episode, Harish Abbott—CEO and co-founder of Augment—breaks down how he repeatedly spots opportunity early, builds products customers actually want, and navigates the fast-moving world of AI without falling into the trap of chasing every shiny benchmark.
We explore how Harish’s team shadowed 60 logistics operators before writing a single line of code, why storytelling is a founder's most underutilized superpower, and how to know when it’s time to pivot—even if everything looks good on the surface.
Whether you're scaling your first product or figuring out what not to build, this conversation is packed with real-world insights you can apply today.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
Start with Pain, Not Product: Successful startups begin by deeply understanding real customer pain points, not by jumping into code or chasing tech trends.
Shadowing Over Selling: Harish’s team shadowed 60 logistics operators in the early days of Augment—prioritizing observation over assumptions.
Strong Opinions, Loosely Held: Founders must balance confidence in their vision with humility to pivot when data points to a better path.
AI ≠ The Product: In a world obsessed with benchmarks, remember: AI is a tool. The actual value lies in making things better, cheaper, or faster for users.
⏱ Timestamped Highlights:
00:32 – What Augment does: AI teammates for the logistics industry
02:48 – “Follow one path consistently” – Harish’s approach to serial entrepreneurship
05:57 – The importance of shadowing operators before writing code
11:21 – When is it time to pivot? Why usage data is often more telling than top-line growth
19:23 – Storytelling as a founder’s core job: how to get employees, investors, and customers on board
25:02 – The challenge of AI startup building today: chasing stability over shiny new benchmarks
30:10 – Avoiding the trap of benchmark chasing in AI product development
💬 Quote:
“The best founders are always seeking truth. That truth sometimes tells you to let go of the idea you love.”
In this episode of The Tech Trek, Amir speaks with Patrick Leung, CTO of Faro Health, about what it takes to lead an engineering organization through a transformation to become an AI-first company. From redefining the product roadmap to managing cultural and technical shifts, Patrick shares practical insights on team structure, skill development, and delivering AI-enabled features in a regulated domain like clinical trials. This is a must-listen for tech leaders navigating similar transitions.
🧠 Key Takeaways:
AI-First ≠ Just Using AI
Being AI-first means deeply embedding AI into the core product architecture—not just bolting on an LLM. It requires strategy, structure, and long-term thinking.
Build the Right Team Early
The biggest shift for engineering orgs is in people—getting the right AI talent onboard early, rather than doing it all yourself, is critical for momentum.
Upskilling Is Real—but Selective
Not every engineer will pivot to AI, but there’s room for involvement across UX, product, and front-end roles. Cultural fit and willingness to contribute matter more than title.
Data Engineering is the Unsung Hero
Most AI work today isn’t in model building, but in crafting clean, structured datasets. Investment here pays off exponentially.
⏱️ Timestamped Highlights:
00:00 – What Does It Mean to Be AI-First?
Patrick defines the term and outlines Faro Health’s mission to reduce the cost and timeline of clinical trials.
04:13 – Defining the AI Strategy
How they started with clinical writing as the first application of LLMs and why it was harder than expected.
07:54 – The Role of Change Management
AI introduces massive shifts; managing sponsor expectations and workflows is as important as the tech.
10:28 – Engineering Impact
How the roadmap changed and what it meant for full-stack vs. data science roles.
14:24 – Hiring vs. Upskilling
Why Patrick hired an expert to lead AI efforts and the balance between internal upskilling and external hiring.
16:43 – Competing for AI Talent
How startups can win top AI talent despite the lure of FAANG compensation.
18:58 – Team Culture and Opportunity
Creating space for engineers who want to jump into AI while maintaining alignment on startup needs.
21:07 – Realistic Upskilling Paths
From Coursera to immersive bootcamps—what actually works for engineers wanting to break into AI.
23:11 – If He Could Do It Again
The two things Patrick would do sooner: hire a dedicated AI team and build structured data pipelines earlier.
🔖 Featured Quote:
“If you're serious about becoming an AI company, you need to find someone amazing who's launched real AI products—and build a team around them.”
In this episode of The Tech Trek, Amir sits down with Sunita Verma, CTO at Character AI and former engineering leader at Google. Sunita shares how she’s transitioned from leading large-scale AI initiatives at Google to building novel experiences in a fast-paced startup environment. She dives into the mindset shift required to prioritize velocity over scale, how to lead AI-native product innovation, and what it means to be a female technical leader in today’s tech ecosystem.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
Shift in Leadership Mindset: At startups, leaders must prioritize velocity and innovation over scale, focusing on getting frictionless, AI-native products to market quickly.
AI Product Loop: Success comes from tightly coupling AI research with product development—shortening the feedback loop to create truly novel user experiences.
Female Technical Leadership: Sunita emphasizes the need for more women in senior engineering roles and shares how calculated risk-taking and mentorship shaped her journey.
Startup Clarity vs. Corporate Comfort: While startups offer focus and purpose, they also require deep ownership and rapid decision-making without the cushion of big-company resources.
💬 Quote:
“Focus brings clarity of purpose... but with that comes the pressure of knowing every decision deeply impacts the company.” — Sunita Verma
⏱️ Timestamped Highlights:
00:00 – Intro: Meet Sunita Verma, CTO at Character AI and former Google engineering leader.
01:52 – Google to Startup: Comparing work at Google with her current role at Character AI.
03:39 – Leadership Shift: Sunita’s take on building AI-native products from scratch.
06:21 – From Scale to Speed: Pivoting from optimization at scale to innovating with velocity.
08:12 – Product & Tech Integration: Creating tight feedback loops between AI research and products
10:01 – Closer to Engineering: Why Sunita enjoys being hands-on and deeply involved in compute management.
12:12 – Focus as a Double-Edged Sword: The simplicity and pressure of startup leadership.
14:00 – Female Engineering Leadership: The need for more women in senior tech roles.
16:02 – Career Advice: Why calculated risk and building a support network are key to long-term success.
19:14 – Leaving Google: Her thought process in taking the leap from a big brand to an emerging category leader.
In this episode of The Tech Trek, Amir sits down with Emily Long, the CEO and co-founder of Edera, a deep tech startup focused on secure infrastructure. Emily shares her unconventional journey from HR leadership into the world of high-performance computing, infrastructure, and cybersecurity. Together, they explore the realities of leading a technical startup as a non-engineer, the underestimated value of soft skills in building scalable companies, and how trust, learning, and risk-taking shape leadership at every stage.
💡 Key Takeaways:
Soft Skills Scale: Emily challenges the misconception that only hard skills matter in tech leadership, showing how people skills drive team performance and product success.
Learning is a Superpower: Her career evolution was fueled by an unapologetic hunger to learn and willingness to step into discomfort and uncertainty.
The CEO as Conductor: Emily views the CEO role as orchestrating harmony across functions—ensuring each part of the company plays in sync.
Technical ≠ Only Coders: Emily has gained deep technical understanding through proximity, curiosity, and respect—without being an engineer herself.
Redefining Career Paths: She encourages others, especially in HR or non-traditional roles, to question labels and stretch into new domains with courage.
⏱ Timestamped Highlights:
(00:00) Intro to Emily Long and her transition from HR to tech CEO
(00:42) What Edera does: security + infrastructure beneath the Linux kernel
(02:07) Early career: from public accounting to people operations
(03:38) Becoming a founder by learning what others didn’t want to do
(06:10) Why she said “yes” to being CEO — and the orchestra analogy
(09:36) Relationship with CTO and deep respect for engineering
(12:51) The business acumen of HR professionals is underappreciated
(14:22) Breaking the “not technical” stigma and respecting both skill sets
(20:14) Should founders always scale with the company? A nuanced view
(23:25) Would she have jumped into tech sooner? The safety-risk tradeoff
(25:45) Where to connect with Emily: LinkedIn and edera.dev
💬 Quote to Feature:
"Just because you can doesn't mean you should. You’ve got to ask yourself—am I bringing the right energy to the next stage?" – Emily Long
Arlene Watson, a product and engineering leader in the cybersecurity space with experience at CrowdStrike, ServiceNow, and Tenable, joins the show to unpack the critical challenges facing cybersecurity teams today. We dive into breach realities, the need for proactive defenses, how automation is reshaping security operations, and why AI is both a threat and an essential tool. If you’re building, managing, or securing software in today’s threat landscape, this episode is for you.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
Breaches are a daily reality – Most go unreported, but every breach should raise alarm bells because attackers may be setting the stage for larger, future infiltrations.
Automation is critical – Repetitive, manual tasks in cybersecurity can and should be automated to free up teams for higher-value, offensive strategies.
AI expands the threat and the solution – Generative AI introduces exponential risk, but it's also becoming a core component of advanced cyber defense strategies.
💬 Quote to Highlight:
"The moment someone says they know all the adversaries that will show up tomorrow, we know that’s not the fact. Our job is to chase the unknown and prepare for it." — Arlene Watson
⏱️ Timestamped Highlights:
00:00 – Intro to Arlene Watson and the state of cybersecurity today
00:33 – Why breaches are more common than we think
02:14 – Breaches must always raise alarm bells
05:26 – Understanding the hierarchy of high-value assets
08:23 – Automation trends in product engineering for cybersecurity
11:35 – Why cybersecurity budgets often lag behind priorities
15:04 – How AI is growing the cybersecurity attack surface
18:28 – Can AI help defend against adversarial AI?
21:22 – Prioritizing cybersecurity product development: foundation, automation, and integration
25:10 – Connect with Arlene via LinkedIn
In this episode, Amir sits down with David Marchick, Dean of the Kogod School of Business at American University, to explore how AI is transforming higher education. From early skepticism to full-scale integration, David shares how his faculty is embracing generative AI—not just as a tool, but as a cornerstone of future-ready learning. The conversation dives into what it means to prepare students for an AI-infused workplace, the ethical dilemmas that arise, and how this technology could either widen or bridge existing academic gaps.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
AI Integration Is No Longer Optional: David emphasizes that resisting AI is like banning calculators—students will use it, so schools must evolve to teach responsible and effective use.
Education Must Mirror the Workplace: From proofreading to prototyping, AI skills are becoming table stakes in modern careers. Schools must prepare students accordingly.
AI as an Equalizer—or Divider: While AI tutoring tools can democratize learning, lack of access at under-resourced schools could deepen educational inequality.
Faculty Need Retraining Too: Teachers are being retrained with help from industry to effectively embed AI into their disciplines—from finance to marketing.
🧠 Quote:
“You won’t be replaced by AI. But you could be replaced by someone who knows how to use AI.” — David Marchick
⏱️ Timestamped Highlights:
00:00 – Introduction to David Marchick and American University’s approach to AI in education
01:15 – Why early academic response was to ban AI—and why that’s changing
03:30 – Shifting from fear to experimentation: How the Kogod faculty embraced AI
06:45 – Balancing original student work with AI assistance
09:00 – Teaching students to question AI and use it responsibly
12:20 – Will AI adoption in education be fast or slow? Marchick predicts years, not decades
14:50 – AI exacerbating the education gap: The equity question
16:15 – Use case: How AI tutors are built and used in quantitative graduate programs
18:45 – Writing, equity, and how AI may lift weaker students without eliminating learning
20:45 – Broader career implications: How AI reshapes job boundaries and skillsets
22:30 – Marketing example: Cutting down design debates with generative tools
24:45 – How to learn more about Kogod’s AI curriculum and initiatives
In this episode, Amir sits down with Brent Keator, an expert advisor at Primary Venture Partners, to unpack one of the most debated engineering challenges: tech debt versus reengineering. They explore how to define tech debt, when to refactor versus rebuild, the ROI of revisiting old code, and how AI is (and isn't) changing the equation. This is a must-listen for engineering leaders navigating complex technical decisions in fast-moving environments.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
Tech debt isn't always bad—just misunderstood. Brent reframes it as part of the software evolution, often misjudged in hindsight with unrealistic expectations.
Refactoring isn't an all-or-nothing decision. Brent recommends carving out 30–40% of engineering time for tech debt if possible, and viewing it as iterative maintenance tied to business value.
Reengineering has a cost—evaluate wisely. Use the “better, faster, cheaper” test before replacing tools or platforms, and always account for hidden transition costs.
AI can help but won’t eliminate tech debt. While AI improves productivity, Brent argues it doesn’t change the underlying truth: software is disposable, and architecture still needs discipline.
⏱️ Timestamped Highlights:
00:00 – Intro to Brent Keator and the episode focus: tech debt vs reengineering
01:01 – Defining tech debt across code, products, and organizational habits
02:53 – When reengineering tools goes too far or solves the wrong problem
04:35 – The stigma of tech debt and how to rethink it
08:55 – The cost of revisiting old code and the ROI on fixing the past
11:12 – Why tech debt in engineering is fundamentally different than other domains
12:44 – When to rebuild, how to evaluate tool replacements, and the abstraction advantage
16:23 – Vetting open-source solutions: cost, support, and security risks
18:36 – The emerging role of AI in engineering and why trust and testing still matter
23:20 – Will AI help solve tech debt? Brent’s take on the future of disposable code
24:46 – How to connect with Brent and final thoughts
💬 Quote of the Episode:
“What we write today is going to be gone tomorrow. Whether AI helps or not, we need to get comfortable with that.” – Brent Keator
In this episode, Amir Bormand sits down with Andy White, CEO of ClosingLock, to talk through his journey from PhD engineer to startup founder. Andy shares the aha moment that launched ClosingLock, a cybersecurity-focused platform protecting real estate transactions, and offers a transparent look at the early struggles of building trust in a skeptical industry. From pitching title companies with Chick-fil-A to learning an entirely new domain from scratch, this is a story about execution, humility, and listening harder than you pitch.
📌 Key Takeaways:
Execution > Ideas: Success came not from having a unique idea, but from executing better than competitors who had millions in funding.
Talk It Out: Andy credits customer conversations—and even explaining problems to a rubber duck—with clarifying and improving his product thinking.
In-Person Matters: Showing up with lunch and listening in-person proved essential in building trust with skeptical title companies.
Start Simple, Iterate Fast: ClosingLock launched with just one feature: securely sharing wiring instructions. Growth came by solving one problem at a time, then listening for the next one.
⏱️ Timestamped Highlights:
[02:10] – Why a PhD wasn’t all that helpful in building a startup.
[04:46] – Andy’s first “startup”—selling mazes in 2nd grade.
[07:20] – The lightbulb moment: real estate wire fraud almost hits home.
[11:15] – It’s not the idea—it’s the execution that matters.
[16:46] – The “rubber duck method” for solving complex problems.
[19:27] – Selling to skeptics: convincing title companies to try something new.
[21:17] – Why email, fax, and phone still dominate real estate—and why that’s a problem.
[25:49] – Would Andy build the same way post-pandemic? (Yes.)
[28:03] – Avoiding the trap of planning too far ahead.
💬 Quote:
"Ideas are cheap. Execution is everything. Everyone saw the problem—very few stuck around to solve it better."
In this episode of The Tech Trek, Amir Bormand talks with Jason Wells, Head of Engineering at BrowserBase, about building a high-performance culture rooted in trust, emotional intelligence, and psychological safety. Jason shares how his unconventional path—including a six-year break from tech—helped shape a management philosophy that puts human connection at the center of engineering leadership. From dismantling blame culture to fostering self-compassion and authentic feedback loops, Jason offers a powerful framework for anyone looking to lead modern tech teams more intentionally.
💬 Quote:
“The best engineering is done by people who love their jobs. If you want the best output, you need a culture that makes people feel safe, trusted, and empowered.” — Jason Wells
🔑 Key Takeaways:
Trust is the foundation: Jason outlines how “boldly daring to trust” creates psychological safety—key to collaboration, innovation, and long-term performance.
Blameless culture matters: Mistakes should be opportunities for learning, not shame. This leads to more ownership and less deflection in engineering teams.
Emotional intelligence is a multiplier: Jason shares how his six-year break from tech helped him level up his emotional toolkit—skills he now actively brings into management.
Every engineer is unique: One-size-fits-all management doesn’t work. Jason emphasizes individualized leadership rooted in curiosity, vulnerability, and compassion.
🕒 Timestamped Highlights:
00:00 – Intro & Jason’s background
02:43 – What makes a great engineering culture
04:40 – Why trust and psychological safety are non-negotiable
06:59 – How BrowserBase screens for cultural alignment
10:46 – Building an ideal environment from scratch
12:27 – Jason’s early start: Atari, Oracle, and startups
17:00 – Transition into management and leadership philosophy
20:00 – Leaving tech for six years: self-actualization and purpose
24:00 – Learning emotional intelligence and conflict resolution
28:19 – Creating safe space for engineers with high expectations
31:38 – Preventing burnout while maintaining performance
33:38 – Leadership means knowing your people
In this episode, Amir Bormand sits down with Kieran Furlong, CEO and co-founder of Realta Fusion, to explore the unique path of a deep tech startup spun out of a university lab. They discuss building a fusion energy company, navigating complex stakeholder relationships with universities and government agencies, and keeping long-term mission-driven teams aligned. From licensing technology to managing a decade-long development cycle, this conversation reveals how Realta Fusion is working to change the world’s energy future.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
Deep tech startups require a different VC playbook: Realta Fusion operates on a decade-long roadmap that demands alignment with investors willing to play the long game.
University spinouts bring both opportunity and friction: Leveraging academic research can be powerful but navigating bureaucracy and IP licensing adds layers of complexity.
Mission-driven leadership is essential: With long timelines and uncertain outcomes, Kieran keeps his team focused through a relentless reminder of their shared purpose—commercial fusion energy.
Energy abundance as a global equalizer: Fusion isn’t just a tech challenge—it’s a moral imperative to bring energy equity to the planet’s future 10 billion people.
🕒 Timestamped Highlights:
00:25 – Intro to Kieran Furlong and Realta Fusion's mission
01:35 – Why Realta is a venture capital outlier: long timelines and deep capital
03:46 – Spinning out of the University of Wisconsin and working with federal energy programs
05:55 – Startup vs university culture clashes and how to navigate them
08:07 – The race to meet fusion milestones by 2035
11:53 – Diplomacy in energy: balancing federal, academic, and private sector dynamics
14:53 – The global case for fusion: climate, equity, and energy abundance
16:05 – How to lead scientists toward a commercial goal without losing curiosity
18:29 – Licensing tech the right way: aligning incentives for long-term success
21:00 – Where to follow Realta Fusion and get involved
💬 Quote:
“You still want the creativity and curiosity of scientists—but you need to keep one eye on the destination: commercial fusion energy.” – Kieran Furlong
In this episode of The Tech Trek, Amir sits down with Clark Downum, CTO at Redox, to unpack the deeper dynamics between engineering, product, and business stakeholders. From tech debt and project delays to culture, communication gaps, and delivery trade-offs—this conversation is a candid exploration of how technical teams can drive impact without getting stuck in process perfection.
Whether you're a tech leader or aspiring one, this episode offers a fresh lens on ownership, expectation-setting, and delivering what really matters.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
The cost of tuning out business context: Engineers often rush to solution-mode too early—Clark stresses the need for active listening before architecting.
Tech debt is not a dirty word: Clark challenges traditional thinking—some tech debt is strategic, and discussing it in business terms builds clarity.
Product owners need more support: Agile isn't just about shifting scope; engineering teams should help product leaders clarify and prioritize based on impact.
Delivery ≠ Impact: Shipping on time is not enough. Clark urges teams to elevate conversations toward value, trade-offs, and business impact over output.
⏱️ Timestamped Highlights:
00:48 – What Redox does and the scale of its data exchange operations
02:00 – Onboarding engineers in a complex healthcare ecosystem
03:55 – Why stakeholders often only ask about engineering when things go wrong
07:24 – Do engineers stop listening when they start solutioning too early?
10:20 – Rethinking tech debt: What the business doesn’t know actually helps
13:46 – Can we train engineers to prioritize “getting it done” over “doing it right”?
17:36 – Agile as a response to imperfect plans, not bad estimates
20:53 – Why scope, time, and quality are business trade-offs, not just engineering ones
22:22 – "The burden is on engineering"—and why that might be the right mindset
24:52 – Final thoughts on collaboration, failure, and owning outcomes
💬 Quote of the Episode:
“Don’t just ask, ‘Is this hard?’ Ask, ‘How hard should I work to make this easy?’ That’s where true collaboration starts.” – Clark Downham
In this episode of The Tech Trek, Daniel Whatley, co-founder and technical lead at Vividly, shares his journey launching a startup while still a student at MIT. From managing college life during COVID to navigating the CPG industry's digital transformation, Daniel reflects on what it meant to be the youngest in the room, how he grew into executive leadership, and what he wishes he’d known before co-founding a company. A candid look at growth, grit, and the impact of youth in a traditional space.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
Startups in school are possible: Daniel co-founded Vividly while at MIT, proving early-stage entrepreneurship can thrive during college years—even amid COVID.
Tech-first in a non-tech industry: He leveraged his technical expertise to modernize trade spend management in consumer packaged goods.
Being the youngest has its perks: Despite age differences, deep domain knowledge can earn respect and create opportunity.
Hard lessons in leadership: Managing older employees taught Daniel resilience and the importance of learning on the job.
💬 Memorable Quote:
“Don’t give up. If something feels hard, remember you’ve solved a million problems before—this is just the million-and-first.” – Daniel Watley
⏱ Timestamped Highlights:
00:23 – 01:30 — Intro to Daniel and Vividly’s mission in CPG optimization
03:39 – 05:18 — Launching a company as a student and the power of momentum
06:27 – 08:13 — Choosing a startup over corporate offers post-graduation
08:17 – 09:39 — Origin of the business idea from family connections
10:20 – 12:18 — How COVID created unexpected demand for their product
12:35 – 15:14 — Being the youngest in the room and embracing your technical edge
15:17 – 17:57 — What’s changed: scaling, hiring, and engineering maturity
18:32 – 21:34 — Learning management fast: handling tough dynamics with older team members
21:53 – 24:11 — Daniel’s advice to aspiring founders still in school
25:07 – 26:21 — Would he take the job if he could do it again? No regrets
26:21 – 27:32 — Final thoughts and how to connect with Daniel
In this episode of The Tech Trek, Amir is joined by Jonathan Myron, VP of Engineering at Healthie, to dive into what it really takes to lead engineering teams inside startups. From aligning with founders' visions to building engineering cultures that thrive on autonomy and creativity, Jonathan shares hard-won lessons for engineers stepping into leadership. Whether you're building early-stage or scaling through growth, this episode delivers practical insights on driving value, developing team culture, and shaping your career path.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
Start with empathy for the founder’s vision. Engineering leaders must deeply understand why a company was started to effectively implement and scale that vision.
Leadership is a behavior, not a title. Taking ownership, solving problems, and filling gaps earns trust and influence, especially in startup environments.
Engineering culture thrives on transparency and purpose. Aligning product goals with team values keeps engineers motivated and connected to impact.
Metrics are a story, not a scoreboard. Use developer experience surveys and team feedback—not just velocity or failure rate—to shape team performance meaningfully.
⏱ Timestamped Highlights:
00:00 – Intro to Jonathan and the theme: working with founders in startups
01:48 – Why understanding the founder’s origin story matters for engineering leadership
03:00 – Sussing out alignment during interviews with startup founders
04:15 – Translating founder vision into engineering execution and culture
05:19 – The role of metrics and surveys (like Westrom) in measuring alignment and team health
06:49 – Why engineering is both a scientific and creative pursuit
08:26 – Bridging founder imprint and engineering culture with empathy and clarity
09:53 – Common traits of successful founders and how engineers can support them
11:58 – Driving value by solving problems without waiting for instruction
13:25 – Advice: “Put aside ego. Real leaders don't need titles.”
15:08 – Thriving in ambiguous, high-impact startup environments
16:54 – How to reach Jonathan on LinkedIn for career advice
💬 Standout Quote:
“Leadership is when somebody is a leader, everybody knows it—and you don't need a title for that.” – Jonathan Myron
What should you really be asking during your interview as a tech leader? And once you land the role, how do you manage expectations, reduce technical debt, and make meaningful impact fast?
In this episode, Justin Nguyen, Technology Director of Enterprise Data & Analytics at Home Depot, shares hard-won insights from his recent leadership transitions. From assessing team maturity to setting realistic AI expectations, we unpack the tactical and strategic moves leaders need to thrive in the first 180 days of a new role.
💡 Key Takeaways:
Interview the Company Like a Pro: Ask about key initiatives, maturity of the org, and how they attract top talent—not just the role’s scope.
Manage Expectations with Data: Use metrics and storytelling to align stakeholder expectations with technical realities.
Build Trust First: Quick wins, especially those that align with long-term goals, are essential for establishing credibility early.
Data's Real Value is Trust: The true measure of data success is stakeholder trust and consistent usage.
Balance Training vs. Hiring: When evolving your team, identify real skill gaps and be transparent to maintain trust.
⏱️ Timestamped Highlights:
[01:18] – Three things to assess in interviews: org maturity, domain readiness, and team strength
[03:30] – Why the presence of technical/data debt should be expected—not feared
[06:28] – Aligning stakeholder expectations with reality to reduce frustration
[09:27] – The real AI question: what not to do with it
[11:17] – Spotting leadership dynamics during interviews
[14:16] – Measuring your own leadership ROI in the first 90–180 days
[17:19] – Short-term wins that support long-term strategic goals
[19:44] – Measuring success in data through usage and trust
[22:19] – Balancing team upskilling, outside hiring, and consulting
🔖 Quote of the Episode:
“Frustration is the delta between expectations and reality. The greater the gap, the greater the frustration. Your job is to close that gap.” – Justin Nguyen
In this episode of The Tech Trek, Brendan Grove, CTO and co-founder at PrizeOut, shares how his non-traditional background shaped his leadership style and hiring philosophy. Brendan dives into how being curious, humble, and pattern-aware has helped him scale teams and solve complex problems. He also unpacks how hiring for core traits like learning velocity and ownership can outperform chasing resumes full of surface-level skills. We also discuss tech debt, decision-making frameworks, and the role of engineering excellence in business success.
Whether you're a startup founder, engineering leader, or aspiring technologist, this episode is a reminder that greatness often lies beyond the obvious checklist.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
Hire for Curiosity and Ownership: Brendan values engineers who "give a shit" more than those who just ace technical interviews. Passion, curiosity, and ability to learn fast are force multipliers.
Non-Traditional Backgrounds Offer Valuable Perspective: Brendan's journey from mechanical engineering to CTO helped him build pattern recognition and a strong product-building instinct.
Balance Autonomy and Accountability: Great leaders don’t need to be the expert—they need to empower others while knowing when to step in.
Tech Debt Isn’t the Enemy—Stagnation Is: Tech debt becomes a problem only when it slows you down or introduces risk. Code should be easy to change without fear.
⏱️ Timestamped Highlights:
00:32 – What PrizeOut Does
01:13 – Brendan’s Path from Mechanical Engineering to Tech
02:59 – Humility and Curiosity as Tools for Problem Solving
04:41 – Delegating While Still Leading
06:46 – What Brendan Looks for When Hiring Engineers
09:24 – Hiring Junior vs. Senior: A Strategic Approach to Ramp-Up
11:56 – Giving Raw Talent a Chance: A Success Story
15:08 – Code Quality vs. Business Value: Finding the Right Balance
17:47 – Tech Debt: When It Matters and How to Approach It
💬 Quote:
"You should be able to make small changes without being scared. If you can't, it's not a testing problem—it's a code problem."
In this episode of The Tech Trek, Amir sits down with Ronak Vyas, Co-Founder and CTO of Lead Bank, to explore how leadership principles remain constant even as the problems — and companies — change. Ronak shares lessons from leading at Yahoo, Square, and now founding a fintech bank, reflecting on how to adjust to new environments, make high-stakes decisions, and transition from engineering leader to startup founder. If you’re a technology professional considering leadership or even starting your own venture, this episode is packed with real-world insights on navigating change, making smart decisions, and staying close to your craft.
🔥 Key Takeaways:
Leadership tools stay constant, but their application must adapt to different company cultures, industries, and scales.
Prioritize understanding the business context before forming strong technical opinions.
Speed of decision-making beats perfection — collect real-world data fast, iterate, and adjust.
As a founder, decision-making carries broader consequences, making a deep business understanding essential beyond technical leadership.
Retaining technical depth is critical as you move into higher leadership roles, especially when founding or joining small companies.
🕰️ Timestamped Highlights:
(00:42) – What Lead Bank does: Combining fintech innovation with banking infrastructure.
(02:20) – How to adjust to new company cultures and identify first-order problems.
(05:47) – Why leadership skills are constants — and how applying them evolves.
(09:11) – Balancing gathering information with moving fast: an art, not a science.
(13:39) – Why fast, iterative decision-making often beats chasing perfection.
(15:12) – How decision-making changes when you're a co-founder vs an executive.
(17:28) – Staying technically sharp: the importance of retaining depth as you grow.
(21:18) – What Ronak wishes he had more exposure to before becoming a founder.
💬 Memorable Quote:
"Most often, it's better to make a good decision and iterate quickly than to wait for the perfect decision — real-world feedback is your best guide."
In this episode, Marty Neese, CEO of Verdagy, joins Amir to unpack what it takes to scale a company in one of the most innovative and high-stakes industries—green hydrogen. From managing a purpose-driven culture to embracing failures as a strategic advantage, Marty shares insights on leading ambitious climate tech initiatives while staying grounded in economic reality. Whether you're in tech, energy, or just love solving complex problems, this one's for you.
🔑 Key Takeaways
Purpose as a North Star: Verdagy’s mission—delivering the power of nature—is more than a slogan. It shapes the company’s decision-making, from high-level strategy down to subcomponent cost roadmaps.
Problems Are Treasures: Marty champions a culture where failures are embraced as learning opportunities, inspired by the Toyota Production System.
Motivation Through Impact: When the going gets tough, Verdagy employees reconnect with their impact—literally watching hydrogen being created in real time—to reignite their passion.
CEO Doesn't Mean Solo: Marty opens up about his reliance on investor and customer feedback as his mentorship circle, busting the myth of the lone visionary at the top.
🕒 Timestamped Highlights
[00:40] – What Verdagy does: splitting water to create hydrogen and oxygen.
[01:55] – Why purpose matters more than just a mission statement.
[03:54] – “Problems are treasures”: embracing failure as an asset.
[06:53] – Knowing when a problem isn’t worth solving.
[08:38] – Staying motivated when outcomes are uncertain.
[11:41] – Breaking down purpose into measurable missions.
[14:03] – A look into Verdagy’s quarterly cost roadmap methodology.
[16:29] – Marty’s unexpected mentors: customers and investors.
[18:52] – The future of green hydrogen and fossil parity.
💬 Quote of the Episode
“Every time you encounter a problem, there's treasure to be mined. That mental polarity shift—from failure to learning—is how real innovation happens.” — Marty Neese
In this episode of The Tech Trek, Amir chats with Rob Williams, co-founder and CTO at Read AI, about what it truly means to be an AI-native company. Rob shares how Read AI uses its own tools internally, how his small but mighty engineering team balances speed and structure, and the evolving role of AI in productivity workflows. Whether you're building AI products or trying to adopt them effectively, this conversation offers a unique peek behind the curtain of a startup navigating the future of work.
💡 Key Takeaways:
AI adoption without intentionality fails. Many companies are experimenting with AI tools, but without clear goals, adoption is often aimless.
“Tech debt” is outdated. Rob prefers specific discussions around scalability, readability, and maintenance over the vague term “tech debt.”
Internal AI usage drives efficiency. Read AI uses its own product to streamline workflows like onboarding, reducing repetitive knowledge transfer.
Small teams thrive on focus. Being a smaller company is an advantage when it comes to agility, focus, and avoiding bureaucracy—especially in AI.
⏱ Timestamped Highlights:
00:35 – What Read AI is and how it differs from big platform players.
02:19 – Why intentionality matters in successful AI adoption.
04:41 – How building AI-native products changes the cost/benefit mindset.
06:28 – Rob’s hot take on the term “tech debt” and why he avoids it.
09:45 – How they divide engineering time between R&D, product, and internal needs.
12:19 – Using AI to eliminate repetitive tasks like onboarding and documentation.
15:34 – How startup culture encourages practical AI tool adoption.
18:08 – Closing the gap between engineers and customer feedback.
20:45 – Competing with tech giants by focusing narrowly and moving efficiently.
🧠 Quote of the Episode:
“If we know something will serve our customers well for the next three to six months, we do it. Anything beyond that is just as likely to be wrong as it is right.” – Rob Williams
If you'd like to see Read AI in action, this link will take you to the transcript their AI produced of the episode: https://app.read.ai/analytics/meetings/01JPJXY1SFAXE509NJ4S5P0W5X?utm_source=Share_CopyLink
In this episode of The Tech Trek, Amir sits down with Abhi Sharma, CEO and Co-Founder of Relyance AI, to unpack the philosophy of "unreasonable hospitality"—a framework for building unforgettable customer and team experiences. From small gestures like a humidifier in the interview room to culture-embedded rituals, Abhi reveals how this principle fuels trust, retention, and performance at every level. If you're building teams or scaling a company, this one is packed with actionable insights.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
Unreasonable hospitality = memorable + maximizing + mentionable. It’s not about going the extra mile—it’s about doing the unexpected in personal, meaningful ways.
Small gestures can drive huge impact. Whether winning deals or recruiting talent, personalized touches create emotional connections that close the loop.
Culture is built through consistent rituals. From Slack channels to awards like “Golden Lion,” Reliance AI embeds their values in routines.
Founders must lead from the front. Embodying cultural values in visible, everyday ways—like flying out for a candidate interview—sets the tone company-wide.
⏱️ Timestamped Highlights:
[01:21] — Defining “unreasonable hospitality” with the 3 M’s: maximizing, memorable, mentionable.
[05:19] — A personalized video tip wins a competitive deal.
[07:40] — A $30 humidifier makes an outsized impact in the interview process.
[09:45] — The 4-part framework to embed hospitality into company culture: Rituals, Empowerment, Feedback, Storytelling.
[14:15] — Balancing perfectionism and personalization in culture values.
[18:27] — Recruiting a new dad: flying in instead of flying him out shows care and commitment.
[21:00] — Why the small stuff carries culture and why consistency matters as a company grows.
💬 Quote to Share:
“If everything gets commoditized and we’re living in the fancy AI world... then the only thing that’s actually going to matter is the element of service—the human touch.” — Abhi Sharma
In this episode of The Tech Trek, Amir sits down with Sasha Gainullin, CEO of Battleface, to explore how focusing on a small, underserved niche in the travel insurance industry unlocked global opportunity. Sasha shares how Battleface used in-house technology to revolutionize the outdated travel insurance model, expanding from serving adventure travelers to powering major partners through their service platform, Robin Assist. This is a conversation about focus, customer empathy, and tech-driven disruption—valuable for any founder or product leader.
🔑 Key Takeaways
Start Small, Win Big: Battleface began by solving a single problem for niche adventure travelers. That focused approach laid the foundation for global scale.
Tech as a Differentiator: Building the entire platform in-house enabled real-time risk pricing, scalable customization, and operational agility.
Customer Connection Wins: Even as CEO, Sasha remains hands-on with customer service to ensure product relevance—an often-missing link in insurance innovation.
From Product to Platform: The launch of Robin Assist extended Battleface’s reach, now powering services for other travel insurance providers worldwide.
⏱️ Timestamped Highlights
00:49 – What is Battleface? A travel insurance company that customizes micro-products using tech.
02:23 – Why they focused on one underserved segment: journalists, surfers, adventure travelers.
05:35 – The pricing problem solved with real-time tech under Lloyd’s of London guidance.
09:48 – How building in-house tech enabled flexibility, scalability, and global compliance.
12:08 – Competitive advantage: fast iteration, informed by decades of industry experience.
14:33 – GenAI isn't a threat—it's a tool. The focus is on solving customer problems, not chasing trends.
18:54 – How the pandemic revealed broader market applicability and led to Robin Assist.
24:05 – Distribution cost challenges and exposing why traditional insurance often fails customers.
26:07 – Partner insights: why offering relevant, flexible insurance products is the future.
💬 Quote Worth Sharing
"Technology is just a feature. If you lose that touch with the customer, you’ll stumble—and that’s what’s happening in travel insurance today." — Sasha Gainullin
In this episode, Amir Bormand sits down with Tony Speller, Division SVP of Technical Operations and Engineering at Comcast, to explore how AI is quietly but powerfully transforming the customer and employee experience at one of the world’s largest media and technology companies. From self-healing network devices to predictive outage detection, Tony walks us through Comcast’s internal innovation playbook—blending in-house AI solutions with strategic partnerships. Whether you’re a technologist, operator, or just someone who's ever rebooted a modem, this episode peels back the curtain on what keeps the digital world running.
🔑 Key Takeaways
AI at Scale: Comcast uses AI to manage over 50 million modems with technologies like Octave, optimizing performance and preventing issues before they affect customers.
Self-Healing Networks: With tools like virtualized CMTS, the network can perform 300,000+ upgrades autonomously, solving issues before customers notice.
Field Tech Empowerment: AI tools like RoC and fiber telemetry empower technicians to locate problems faster, saving time and reducing downtime.
Innovation Culture: Comcast builds many AI solutions internally, while also integrating partner technologies for field operations and advanced routing.
Celebrating the Unsung Heroes: Tony highlights the importance of daily team syncs that recognize not only fast fixes, but also problems prevented—a culture of proactive excellence.
⏱ Timestamped Highlights
01:45 – Defining Tony’s role and Comcast’s AI priorities
03:00 – AI for teammates vs. AI for customers
04:12 – How Octave optimizes 50M+ modems with 4,000 data points
05:30 – Virtualized CMTS: Self-healing, automation, and 300K+ autonomous changes
08:20 – Empowering field techs with RoC and fiber telemetry for precise outage detection
11:00 – The rigorous lab-to-field AI testing process
13:44 – Build vs. buy: Comcast’s hybrid innovation model
15:33 – Roadmap pillars: network automation, teammate tools, and customer simplicity
18:24 – The impact of streaming and how it drives network innovation
21:34 – How Tony celebrates behind-the-scenes teams daily
💬 Featured Quote
"We're not just celebrating the fixes—we're celebrating the problems that never happened because of the technology our teams built. That's how we show them their work matters."
Connecting with Comcast: You can keep up with all the innovations and surround sound moments from Comcast’s Center of Excellence by visiting South.Comcast.com.
More about Tony:
Tony Speller is the Senior Vice President of Technical Operations and Engineering at Comcast’s Central Division headquarters in Atlanta. Tony started his long and successful career as a technician for Tele-Communications, Inc. (TCI) in 1989. He has nearly 35 years of industry experience, holding numerous leadership roles across Comcast, including key positions in Pennsylvania, Boston, Western New England, and Houston. Named a “Cable TV Pioneer” in 2018 by the SCTE, Tony has been heavily involved in several charitable organizations, including the United Way, the Urban League, and the Greater Houston Partnership. His work has been recognized with the Urban League of Greater Hartford’s Community Service Award, with the NAMIC Luminary Award, and most recently with the NAMIC Diversity in Technology Award in 2024.
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In this episode, Amir sits down with Nirman Dave, co-founder and CEO of Zams, an enterprise AI platform built to help businesses design and deploy AI agents with ease. They dive into Nirman's founding story—launching during the pandemic, navigating the evolution of the AI ecosystem, and the unique challenges of maintaining customer focus amid shifting trends and rising competition. Nirman also shares lessons from pitching investors, building trust with customers, and the art of product prioritization.
📌 Key Takeaways
Differentiation Through UX: Zams is not just another AI tool—it aims to be the browser for AI, giving enterprises a seamless UI to work with agents.
Customer Over Competition: Success has come from solving real business problems—not chasing trends or investor hype.
Trust Through Design: A 30-second loading delay helped build trust in Zams’ lightning-fast models, proving psychology matters in UX.
Resilient Startup Strategy: Focusing on sustainable growth and user love—not vanity metrics—is what keeps investors coming back.
🕒 Timestamped Highlights
00:40 – What Zams does and how it’s helping enterprises with AI agents
02:14 – Starting a business in college during the pandemic
04:21 – Evolution of AI from AutoML to LLMs and product-market fit
07:15 – Staying customer-centric as terminology and trends change
09:43 – Manufacturing case study: 20 hours/day saved with AI agents
12:25 – Why the “browser moment” for AI is coming
14:33 – Balancing roadmap flexibility with intentional focus
17:34 – Fundraising lessons: sustainable growth beats glamor
24:08 – Listening to customers—but not too literally
26:11 – The 30-second delay that changed customer perception
💬 Memorable Quote
“At the end of the day, businesses care about three things—saving time, saving money, or making money. Everything else is noise.”
In this episode of The Tech Trek, I sit down with Artem Rodichev, Founder & CEO of Ex-Human, to explore the emerging world of empathetic generative AI. We discuss how today’s LLMs fall short on emotional intelligence and how Ex-Human is building AI that can emotionally connect with users. Artem shares the vision behind their product Botify AI, its real-world applications—from gaming and education to mental health—and the crucial role of guardrails in ensuring safe, ethical AI development.
🔑 Key Takeaways
Current LLMs lack emotional depth. They're designed to solve tasks quickly, not to engage in human-like, emotionally resonant conversations.
Empathetic AI can reduce loneliness. These systems aim to connect with users on an emotional level and offer meaningful companionship.
Real use cases span industries. From gaming and language learning to mental health support and education, empathetic AI has broad applications.
Data-driven improvement. Wattify AI learns through millions of conversations and user feedback, fine-tuning its responses for empathy and memory.
Safety is a must. As AI gets more emotionally intelligent, strong ethical guardrails are essential to prevent misuse.
🕒 Timestamped Highlights
00:34 – What is X-Human? Creating customizable, emotionally intelligent AI characters
02:05 – Why current LLMs feel robotic (task vs. engagement-driven design)
04:38 – Defining “empathetic AI” and how it’s different from classic chatbots
06:06 – Use case: Solving loneliness and building emotional connections
07:50 – Applications in gaming, Discord bots, and immersive NPC experiences
09:40 – Language learning via informal practice with emotionally aware AI
10:50 – Supporting mental health by providing judgment-free companionship
12:25 – How Wattify AI gathers and uses data for emotional accuracy and memory
16:10 – Technical details: short-term vs long-term memory, voice & visual integration
19:23 – The importance of safety, ethics, and guardrails in emotionally intelligent AI
23:06 – The broader opportunity in education, tutoring, and emotional engagement
23:57 – Where to try Wattify AI and connect with Artem
💬 Featured Quote
"Empathetic AI companions don’t just respond—they remember, support, and emotionally connect. That’s what makes them powerful and personal." – Artem Rodichev
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What does it mean to find out what your team is actually good at—and how do you use that insight to grow, scale, and lead effectively?
In this episode, Amir sits down with Pallavi Pal, Head of Product at Grata, to unpack the nuanced art of identifying strengths within product teams. From hiring with purpose to fostering technical and soft skills, Pallavi shares how she built her team from the ground up and established a culture of collaboration and excellence. Whether you’re a product leader, aspiring manager, or simply navigating your growth path in tech, this conversation is packed with frameworks and hard-earned lessons.
✨ Key Takeaways
“Good” is personal and team-specific – Recognize where individual team members naturally lean in and where they need support.
Hiring with intention matters – Building a team from scratch allows leaders to define what “good” looks like for each role early on.
Balancing technical and soft skills is crucial – Successful PMs don’t just understand the product—they empathize with users and collaborate effectively.
Path to people management starts with mentorship – Use mentorship as a low-risk way to identify potential managers.
Culture isn’t just top-down – Product teams should reflect company values while fostering technical curiosity and peer collaboration.
Metrics can’t be mandated – Teams need to co-create their North Star metrics and OKRs to stay engaged and aligned.
⏱️ Timestamped Highlights
[00:20] – Introducing Pallavi and the focus on identifying what your team is great at
[02:05] – Observing behaviors to identify strengths and hesitations
[05:22] – Hiring to match specific skill sets across different product functions
[08:20] – The balance between domain knowledge, technical skills, and soft skills
[12:03] – Identifying future people managers within your team
[16:21] – Building a product culture that aligns with company values but has its own identity
[21:06] – How to define and align around standards and metrics in product
[24:21] – How to connect with Pallavi for follow-up questions
💬 Quote of the Episode
“It’s a lot more art than science. Good is seeing where people lean in—what excites them—and building the team to amplify that.”
– Pallavi Pal
In this episode, Amir sits down with Zach Barney, Co-founder and CEO of Mobly, the system of record for event marketers. Zach’s story takes us from his early ambitions of joining the NSA to a career-altering injury, a serendipitous fall into sales, and eventually the founding of Mobly. This episode explores not only the career pivots that led Zach to entrepreneurship, but also the mental, financial, and strategic challenges he faced along the way.
If you’ve ever thought about switching paths or launching your own thing — especially from a non-technical background — Zach’s journey is proof that drive, vision, and grit can get you there.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
Pivot Points Can Define You: A severe knee injury and life changes redirected Zach’s path from NSA hopeful to tech founder.
Sales is Entrepreneurship Training: Zach views sales as the most entrepreneurial job short of being a founder — giving him the skills and mindset for startup life.
Solve Real Problems: Mobly was born from Zach’s own pain points in the field — and customer validation made the case.
Execution Over Everything: Despite the harsh fundraising climate, Mobly thrived by focusing on product and market fit.
Founding Doesn’t Require Code: Zach’s non-technical background didn’t stop him — and his story encourages others in the same boat.
⏱️ Timestamped Highlights:
00:20 – Intro to Zach Barney and Mobly — from spreadsheets to sales tech for event marketers.
01:50 – Zach’s drive to control his financial destiny, inspired by his upbringing as the oldest of 8.
03:23 – The “spy-to-startup” journey: NSA offer, Russian fluency, and a career-altering knee injury.
06:15 – How a devastating injury forced Zach to pivot, finding a sales job that set the foundation for his future.
08:29 – Falling in love with sales: the accidental career path that turned into a calling.
10:20 – Constant learning: how podcasts, books, and early-stage exposure prepared him for founding.
12:07 – Making the leap: risks, fears, and financial tradeoffs of starting Mobly with five kids to support.
14:07 – Co-founder chemistry: 30 years of friendship becomes a business partnership
16:20 – Building the MVP without a CTO and the power of scrappy execution.
17:48 – Navigating the economic downturn and fundraising panic attacks in a tough VC market.
20:12 – Why Zach is bullish on execution over economic prediction — and how Mobly is thriving.
💬 Quote to Share:
“Sales is the most entrepreneurial job you can have without being an entrepreneur.” – Zach Barney
🔗 Connect with Zach:
📱 Find him on LinkedIn (just don’t automate your message — he can sniff it out instantly!)
Join us in this insightful conversation with Eric Valasek as we explore the crucial relationship between CEOs, product teams, and engineering leaders. Eric shares his expertise on managing prioritization, strategic tech debt, and ensuring engineering teams stay focused and insulated amidst business dynamics.
Key Takeaways:
Balance is Crucial: A company's success depends heavily on balancing business goals, product demands, and engineering capabilities.
Strategic Tech Debt: Not all tech debt is harmful. Strategic tech debt can accelerate business growth, but must be managed and planned carefully.
Upskilling for Growth: Investing in your team's skill development can pay long-term dividends, especially when tackling new technology domains.
Transparency vs. Focus: Protecting your team from constant business shifts ("horse trading") is essential to maintain productivity and morale.
Engineering's Voice: In tech-driven companies, the engineering team often carries significant influence. Leaders must balance innovation with practical business outcomes.
Timestamped Highlights:
00:41 - Eric's introduction and overview of engineering-product-business relationships.
01:30 - Balancing the business, product, and engineering "trifecta."
05:01 - Effective strategies for team skill development and training.
07:26 - Adjusting team velocity and maintaining quality during upskilling.
09:44 - Navigating potential dips in quality when adopting new technologies.
11:57 - Strategic considerations when intentionally incurring tech debt.
14:31 - Managing transparency and team insulation from business volatility.
17:40 - The importance and impact of engineering's voice in technology-centric businesses.
Quote:
"You can't have speed and quality with the same size team with new technologies. You need to plan that development cycle carefully—some trade-offs are necessary."
— Eric Valasek, Engineering Leader
Connect with Eric: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evalasek/
In this episode of The Tech Trek, Amir Bormand sits down with Shang Wang, Co-founder and CTO of CentML, to explore the dynamic landscape of open source AI technologies and how enterprises are rapidly adapting to this growing ecosystem. Shang offers expert insights into why open source solutions are becoming essential in AI development, the advantages in security and privacy, and how CentML strategically contributes to this evolution.
🌟 Key Takeaways:
Open Source Dominance in AI: Open-source technologies have become foundational to AI development, promoting innovation, transparency, and faster problem-solving.
Enterprise Adoption Shift: Enterprises are increasingly embracing open source solutions in AI, driven by the need for greater transparency, data privacy, and community-driven innovation.
CentML’s Impact: CentML leverages open source through developing tools and infrastructure that optimize AI model deployment, training, and performance at scale.
Security and Privacy Advantages: Open-source AI solutions provide enterprises with enhanced control over data privacy and security, challenging traditional assumptions that closed-source means more secure.
💬 Notable Quote:
"Open source gives you more control. If there’s a security flaw, you can fix it. If there’s a privacy issue, you can build safeguards. Closed source leaves you hoping nothing goes wrong.” – Shang Wang
⏰ Timestamped Highlights:
00:00: Introduction to Shang Wang and CentML
01:28: Origins of open source AI in academia
03:30: Differences in developing with open vs. closed-source solutions
05:10: Impact of open-source tools on talent development and recruitment
07:16: Predictions on the future of open-source AI
10:05: Deep dive into CentML’s tools and open-source integrations
19:46: Real-world applications of CentML, exemplified through banking
22:57: Addressing misconceptions about open source security
27:42: How to connect with Shang Wang
📞 Connect with Shang Wang:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shang-sam-wang-52851489
🎙️ Subscribe, Rate, and Review: Let us know your thoughts and stay updated with future episodes of The Tech Trek!
In this episode of The Tech Trek, Amir sits down with Andrew Levy, CEO and Co-founder of AirCover.ai, to explore how agentic AI is transforming the sales landscape. Andrew shares how AirCover builds real-time digital assistants that empower sales teams, the role of humans in AI-driven workflows, and how enterprises—both nimble and traditional—are adopting these tools to leap ahead. From change management to trust-building and the rise of “little language models,” this conversation unpacks what it really means to bring AI into the heart of go-to-market strategies.
🔑 Key Takeaways
-
Real-Time AI for Real-World Sales AirCover.ai builds AI agents that operate in real time alongside sales reps, surfacing the right information at the right moment, and helping teams scale more effectively with digital counterparts.
-
Scaling Expertise, Not Replacing Teams Rather than replacing humans, agentic AI amplifies expertise—like turning one sales engineer into six through virtual counterparts, unlocking growth, not cuts.
-
Human-in-the-Loop Is the Bridge Especially in regulated industries, “human-in-the-loop” AI design helps companies automate workflows while maintaining control, transparency, and trust.
-
Model Confidence Matters for Adoption Andrew emphasizes trust-building in AI by surfacing high-confidence data and leveraging behavior signals to continually improve user experience and relevance.
-
Little Language Models Are the Future Expect a shift from massive models to specialized ones—“little language models”—tailored per team or even per individual, making AI more personalized and effective.
⏱️ Timestamped Highlights
00:00 – Meet Andrew Levy
Intro to Andrew and AirCover.ai – building digital agents for live sales calls.
02:21 – The Origin of AirCover
Andrew shares the story behind the idea, influenced by challenges scaling sales enablement at VMware.
06:50 – Spotting the Market Gap
When tech and market timing intersect: how AI-native thinking unlocked new possibilities.
08:53 – Change Management From Day One
Why ease of use and seamless workflow integration were key in early product design.
11:26 – Enterprise AI Adoption Trends
Big companies are leapfrogging past previous tech gaps by going all-in on AI.
13:55 – AI as an Extension, Not a Replacement
How AI fills capability gaps without threatening job loss—and why that’s a key adoption driver.
16:47 – Agentic Workflows in Action
Examples of tasks AI handles autonomously vs. where human oversight is essential.
20:07 – Confidence, Trust, and Adoption
Andrew talks about how AirCover builds trust through transparency, high-confidence responses, and adaptive learning signals.
22:34 – The Shift to Smaller, Smarter Models
A peek into the near future of AI: narrow, task-specific models that are ultra-personalized.
23:24 – Final Thoughts & How to Connect
Andrew’s contact info and closing takeaways from Amir.
💬 Featured Quote
“This isn't about replacing your team with AI—it's about giving them superpowers. Imagine taking your best solution engineer and scaling their expertise across your entire team.”
— Andrew Levy, CEO of AirCover.ai
Guest: Viraj Narayanan, CEO of Cornerstone AI
🔑 Key Takeaways
Healthcare data is messy by default. It's generated by countless sources with different standards—think EMRs, Apple Watches, and pharmacy systems—making research data fragmented and hard to use.
AI can clean up the mess. Cornerstone AI applies automation to standardize and improve the fidelity of clinical research data, significantly cutting down manual effort.
Productivity > Replacement. Rather than replacing jobs, AI is helping PhDs and data scientists focus on higher-value tasks, enabling more research and faster discovery.
Standardization is foundational. Without clean, consistent data, the insights drawn—even with AI—are limited or flawed.
Trust is earned. The biggest mindset shift is seeing your own messy data cleaned instantly by AI, not a polished demo set.
Patients win too. Cleaner, faster data means more reliable research, potentially more personalized medicine, and better access to understandable information.
💬 Quote of the Episode
“We’re going to look back in 10 years and think—‘I can’t believe we had PhDs doing that kind of manual data work.’”
— Viraj Narayanan
⏱ Timestamped Highlights
00:00 – Intro to Viraj and Cornerstone AI: Automating healthcare data quality
01:54 – The "plumbing problem" of healthcare data and what no one thinks about
04:48 – Why AI in healthcare often starts with admin—not research
05:35 – Steph Curry and SNOMED: How basketball shows us the need for standardization
08:58 – Wild West of research data: From 2% lift to 40%+ with AI
11:41 – Why research is built on redundancy and how AI rewires the model
14:43 – Change management: From trust to technical buy-in to leadership alignment
18:42 – Will AI take jobs? No—but it will transform what we do with talent
21:03 – What patients will see: Cleaner, faster, more understandable data
23:49 – Where to reach Viraj and final thoughts
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On this episode of The Tech Trek, we're diving deep into the intersection of engineering, product, and business thinking with Vineet Goel — Co-Founder and Chief Product & Technology Officer at Parafin, a fast-growing fintech startup powering small businesses on platforms like DoorDash, Amazon, and Walmart.
We unpack what it really means to build a company where engineers are product thinkers, why bringing in product managers too early can backfire, and how AI is reshaping what it means to write code — and who’s best positioned to thrive in this new world.
Vineet shares how Parafin scaled with just two PMs to 25 engineers, why every engineer shadows customer support calls, and how GenAI might collapse the wall between product and engineering entirely.
Whether you're an engineer, product leader, founder, or just curious where the future of tech orgs is headed — this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.
🧠 Key Takeaways
Don’t hire PMs too early. Founders should own product-market fit before bringing on a product leader.
Engineers need a business mindset. At Parafin, engineers are ruthlessly customer-focused — many even shadow support calls.
GenAI will change everything. Writing code is becoming a commodity. Future engineers will need to blend product and technical skills.
The product org evolves with scale. Vineet shares when and why Parafin added a Head of Product, and how it shifted org dynamics.
PMs should create leverage, not just roadmaps. When engineers are stretched thin, PMs help teams stay focused and effective.
⏱️ Timestamped Highlights
00:46 – What is Parafin?
A fintech startup empowering small businesses on platforms like Amazon and DoorDash with embedded financial services.
02:35 – Org Design at Parafin
Why they built a structure that’s neither product- nor engineering-led, but customer-obsessed.
05:09 – 25 Engineers, 2 PMs
How a product-minded engineering culture powers massive output and scale.
06:40 – Customer Empathy as Culture
Engineers shadow support calls—and sometimes ship fixes within the hour.
08:50 – When to Hire a Head of Product
What prompted the shift, and how it solved growing pains around complexity and speed.
11:59 – PMs Create Leverage
Bringing in PMs at the right time accelerates decision-making and keeps engineers focused.
14:28 – Dual Hat of CPTO
How Vineet balances strategy, execution, and organizational leadership.
16:34 – GenAI’s Impact on Engineers
Code is getting commoditized. Engineers must evolve—or risk becoming obsolete.
19:14 – What Happens to Product Roadmaps?
AI will speed up delivery—product teams need to dream further ahead, faster.
21:11 – The ‘Shift Left’ of Engineering
Engineers are moving closer to the business—Vineet predicts a product-tech hybrid role will dominate.
💬 Quote Worth Sharing
“Being product and business minded will become a necessity—not a nice to have. Code is becoming a commodity. The future belongs to those who can build and think.”
— Vineet Goel, CPTO at Parafin
In this episode, Amir sits down with Meg Henry, Head of People & Talent at Companyon Ventures, to unpack a critical—yet often overlooked—aspect of growing technical teams: onboarding.
Engineering leaders spend weeks hiring top talent, only to fumble the first 90 days. Meg shares a tactical, startup-friendly approach to onboarding that actually helps new hires ramp faster, become productive sooner, and stick around longer. If you’ve ever onboarded a dev by tossing them a laptop and saying "Good luck," this one’s for you.
🗝️ Key Takeaways for Tech Leaders:
Weak onboarding kills productivity. Even A+ hires won’t thrive if they don’t know how to succeed.
You’re losing time, not saving it. A 30-minute onboarding plan can prevent months of confusion.
Hybrid makes things harder. Without structure, async teams sink.
Consistency beats chaos. No two roles are the same, but every new hire should feel supported.
AI can help you scale onboarding. Especially when documentation is scattered across Slack, Notion, and Drive.
🕒 Timestamped Highlights:
[00:02:00] Why startups obsess over hiring—but ignore onboarding
[00:04:30] That awkward new hire phase, and how to design around it
[00:05:45] Hybrid onboarding: Why access > answers
[00:07:15] The two onboarding tracks every company needs: company-wide + role-specific
[00:09:30] Founders want plug-and-play hires—but that doesn’t work without a plan
[00:10:45] "Here’s your map": how tech leads can shortcut the ramp-up curve
[00:13:30] Using ChatGPT to build lightweight onboarding flows? Yes, here’s how
[00:15:45] Spotting weak onboarding when you inherit a team
[00:18:15] Customization vs. consistency: how much is too much?
[00:20:00] Time investment: just 2.5 hours over 3 months
💬 Quote of the Episode:
“Before GPS, you wouldn’t invite someone over and just say, ‘Figure out how to get here.’ Even your most autonomous hires need directions.” — Meg Henry
📬 Connect with Meg:
Meg’s helping early-stage B2B startups scale smarter. Connect with her on LinkedIn (Meg Henry, Companyon Ventures) and ask for her free onboarding template—it’s lightweight, practical, and startup-tested.
In this episode, Carlos Peralta returns to The Tech Trek to dive deep into data culture in the wearable tech space, sharing how WHOOP turns petabytes of real-time biometric data into personalized, actionable insights. We explore the technical complexities behind data ingestion, transformation, and delivery, and how the mission-driven nature of WHOOP influences both their engineering decisions and company culture.
🔑 Key Takeaways
Wearable tech = real-time big data: WHOOP processes petabytes of multimodal data from edge devices to deliver insights to users in near real time.
Data must be actionable, not just abundant: It's not about the quantity of data collected, but how that data is translated into meaningful guidance for users.
ML Ops is central to product success: The data and ML infrastructure team plays a critical role in feature development, roadmap planning, and performance optimization.
Mission fuels motivation: WHOOP’s internal culture is deeply driven by its impact on human performance—employees are often users of the product themselves.
Scalability ≠ just growth: Cost-efficiency, forecasting, and cloud infrastructure readiness are vital to scaling responsibly in a global market.
⏱️ Timestamped Highlights
00:00 – Intro to Carlos & the mission behind WHOOP
02:19 – Data culture at WHOOP vs. traditional companies
04:15 – Scale of data in wearables: petabytes, not megabytes
05:52 – Complexity of ingesting, transforming, and delivering personalized data
08:53 – Striking a balance: Real-time feedback vs. cloud cost efficiency
11:14 – Scaling the platform as the member base expands globally
13:43 – Internal motivation and culture driven by positive impact stories
15:56 – Why data teams are involved early in the product roadmap
17:59 – Carlos’ journey from WHOOP user to WHOOP employee
20:40 – How to connect with Carlos + final thoughts
💬 Quote of the Episode
“You can have petabytes of data, but if you can’t make it queriable, understandable, and actionable—it’s just noise.” — Carlos Peralta
In this episode of The Tech Trek, Amir Bormand sits down with Max Mergenthaler-Canseco, CEO and co-founder of Nixla, to explore the nuanced reality behind startup success. A multi-time founder with experience as both CEO and CTO, Max shares hard-earned lessons from his entrepreneurial journey—including why theoretical knowledge often clashes with real-world execution, how to build a resilient startup team, and the underestimated danger of survivorship bias in startup lore.
From balancing optimism with statistical failure rates to knowing when to focus on strengths over weaknesses, Max delivers practical wisdom for anyone navigating the startup grind. Whether you're a first-time founder or on your third venture, this conversation will leave you thinking differently about what it really takes to succeed in tech.
🔑 Key Takeaways
Experience is not a blueprint, it's a lens. Max breaks down how startup learnings aren’t always repeatable but instead shape the founder’s decision-making over time.
Passion is the sustainability engine. You have to love what you're building, not just what the market wants—otherwise, you won’t last through the inevitable startup grind.
Founders vs. early employees. Understanding the difference in motivation and expectations is crucial to building and managing a startup team effectively.
Survivorship bias is everywhere. Max cautions against building a startup playbook based only on outlier success stories.
Know your lane. Instead of leveling up all weaknesses, focus on doubling down where your strengths make the biggest impact.
⏱️ Timestamped Highlights
00:44 – What is Nixla?
Max introduces his company, a time series forecasting and anomaly detection startup with deep roots in research.
01:34 – Serial founder life
Max gives a quick snapshot of his startup journey, from NLP experiments to YC-backed fintech.
03:21 – Startup experience ≠ shortcut to success
Why practical experience matters more than theoretical frameworks, and how each startup is its own universe.
07:59 – Playing the startup game because you love it
Max explains why loving the problem you’re solving is essential for long-term survival and sanity.
10:53 – Hiring the right people early
What Max looks for in early-stage team members—and why founders shouldn't expect employees to grind the same way they do.
13:24 – CEO vs. CTO: Vision vs. Execution
A thoughtful breakdown of the distinct roles and responsibilities between CEO and CTO, especially in early-stage companies.
16:27 – Strengths over Weaknesses
Why Max believes in focusing on what you do well, rather than fixing every flaw.
20:25 – The trap of survivorship bias
A fascinating conversation about how the startup ecosystem overemphasizes success stories and ignores the valuable lessons of failure.
How to reach Max
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mergenthaler/
💬 Featured Quote
“The only way to keep playing the startup game is to actually enjoy the game.” — Max Mergenthaler-Canseco
In this episode, I sit down with Jason Rogers, CEO & Co-Founder of Invary, to explore an unconventional approach to building a cybersecurity startup—leveraging a tech transfer agreement with the NSA. Jason shares his journey of launching a company around licensed technology, the benefits and challenges that come with it, and why runtime system integrity is becoming a crucial factor in modern security strategies.
We also dive into how AI is changing the cybersecurity landscape, the importance of real-time security validation, and how companies can better protect their systems against evolving threats.
Key Takeaways
🔹 Tech transfer provides a competitive edge – Licensing government-developed technology can offer startups a head start with validated, battle-tested IP.
🔹 Security needs to be proactive, not reactive – Real-time validation of system integrity can prevent breaches before they escalate.
🔹 Collaborative research fuels innovation – Invary works with the NSA and academic institutions to advance security capabilities.
🔹 AI is expanding the attack surface – As AI adoption grows, ensuring system and data integrity will be more critical than ever.
🔹 Zero trust applies to machines too – It’s not enough to verify users—organizations must continuously verify their systems.
Timestamped Highlights
⏳ 00:01 – Introduction to Jason Rogers and Invary’s mission
⏳ 00:49 – How NSA-licensed technology is securing critical systems
⏳ 01:36 – The journey from research-backed tech to startup success
⏳ 02:56 – The challenges and benefits of building a business around licensed IP
⏳ 05:32 – Collaborating with government research teams for innovation
⏳ 09:33 – How engineers adapt to the tech transfer model
⏳ 14:06 – Why runtime integrity is the missing piece in security
⏳ 16:34 – The shift from traditional security models to real-time validation
⏳ 19:27 – AI’s growing attack surface and what it means for security
⏳ 23:28 – Predicting future cybersecurity challenges in an AI-driven world
⏳ 24:00 – How to connect with Jason
Quote from the Episode
“The bad guys collaborate all the time. It’s time for the good guys to do the same.” – Jason Rogers
Connect with Jason Rogers
🔗 Website: Invary.com
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonlrogers/
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In this episode, Amir sits down with Kaustav Das to discuss one of the most critical yet challenging aspects of analytics—asking the right questions. They explore how analytics leaders can better navigate conversations with stakeholders, ensuring they gather the correct requirements and deliver actionable insights. The conversation touches on the evolving role of analytics, the impact of generative AI in business intelligence, and how decision-making is shifting toward more conversational data engagement.
Key Takeaways
The Power of Asking the Right Questions: The quality of analytics is only as good as the questions being asked. Stakeholders’ intent must be fully understood before diving into solutions.
Balancing Speed with Thoughtfulness: Quoting Einstein, Kaustav highlights the importance of preparation: “If I were to chop a tree down in an hour, I would spend 55 minutes sharpening my blade.” Rushing to a solution without understanding the problem leads to inefficiencies.
Technology vs. Process: Not all business challenges require a technology-driven solution. Often, simpler process optimizations can be more effective.
Conversational Analytics & AI: Generative AI is shaping analytics by making data interactions more intuitive, but expertise in asking the right questions remains critical.
Roadmapping for Success: The PTP (Present-To-Path) framework helps stakeholders clarify their goals, define a roadmap, and create an execution timeline for analytics projects.
The Art vs. Science of Analytics: Analytics is more of an art than a science. Understanding business goals, managing multiple stakeholders, and iterative questioning are key to driving value.
Timestamped Highlights
[00:00] Introduction to the episode and guest, Kaustav Das.
[01:08] Why asking the right questions is critical in analytics.
[04:58] Do technologists jump to solutions too quickly?
[06:01] The balance between planning and execution in a fast-paced environment.
[07:28] The high failure rate of technology projects—why intent matters.
[10:52] The five “whys” technique and getting to the core of business problems.
[12:24] The future of analytics—can it become more conversational?
[17:03] Measuring ROI in marketing and media analytics.
[20:29] Where to connect with Kaustav Das.
Quote of the Episode
"If I were to chop a tree down in an hour, I would spend 55 minutes sharpening my blade." – Albert Einstein, referenced by Kaustav Das
Connect with Kaustav Das
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaustavanalytics/
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What happens when you build a business around what you genuinely love? In this episode of The Tech Trek, Amir sits down with Michael Farb, CEO of Boatsetter — the Airbnb of boats — to unpack how passion can be a strategic advantage in tech entrepreneurship.
Michael shares his journey of launching multiple businesses rooted in personal interests, from college sports to global philanthropy to now, outdoor water adventures. Together, they explore what it really takes to turn a personal obsession into a scalable business, how to identify real opportunities in your hobbies, and why solving a specific problem matters more than chasing a massive market.
Whether you're dreaming about launching your own thing or leading product inside a startup, this conversation is packed with insights on product-market fit, customer discovery, and building teams who care as much as you do.
🧠 Key Takeaways
Passion is a superpower: When you’re obsessed with a hobby or space, you naturally develop deep insights others don’t see — and that can unlock serious business potential.
Solving problems > chasing scale: Michael shares how the best businesses often start by solving a very specific problem — even if that solution doesn't scale at first.
Inspiration is everywhere: Whether it’s boats, black cars, or model airplanes, there’s almost always a business idea hiding in what people love to do.
Team alignment is critical: Boatsetter thrives by hiring people who live and breathe outdoor adventure — passion isn't just a founder trait, it's company-wide.
Don’t overthink TAM: Many aspiring founders kill ideas too early worrying about market size. Start small, build value, and the market might grow with you.
⏱️ Timestamps & Highlights
00:00 – Introduction
Michael Farb joins Amir to talk about building businesses around personal passions and how that philosophy led to Boatsetter.
01:00 – What is Boatsetter?
A two-sided marketplace for boat rentals in 700+ global locations. No boating license? No problem.
02:20 – Michael’s Entrepreneurial Journey
From sports recruiting tech to nonprofit fundraising platforms — every business tied back to something he personally cared about.
04:45 – How to See the Business in Your Passion
“If you’re obsessed with a space, you’ll know more than anyone else. That’s your edge.”
08:00 – Advice for Aspiring Passion-Driven Entrepreneurs
Look for friction points in your hobby — that’s where business opportunities are born.
10:50 – Employees with Passion
Boatsetter hires people who love the water. They even get boating credits as part of their benefits.
14:00 – Working with Product Teams as a Passionate CEO
Michael partners closely with product to scale both sides of the marketplace — consumers and boat owners.
16:00 – Would He Ever Build a Business Without Passion?
Short answer: No. The passion + business combo has worked too well to ditch.
19:00 – Do You Need Market Research to Start?
Michael skips the spreadsheets — he talks to real people and builds MVPs to validate problems.
21:30 – “Do Things That Don’t Scale”
The early Boatsetter days were scrappy. Human-powered logistics and manual processes — until the model was proven.
24:40 – How to Connect with Michael
Find him on LinkedIn or visit Boatsetter.com.
💬 Quote to Share
“Don’t get paralyzed trying to figure out how big the market is — just solve a real problem. Everything big started small.” – Michael Farb
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In this episode, Zachary Hanif, VP of AI, ML, and Data at Twilio, joins Amir to talk about the engine behind B2B AI innovation. From selecting the right tools to navigating the shift from POCs to production, Zachary offers an insider's look at how enterprises can thoughtfully and effectively integrate AI.
We unpack:
The danger of "boiling the ocean" with AI
Why chatbots aren’t always the right starting point
What makes an AI POC actually valuable
And why UX in the age of AI needs systems thinking
💬 “If you come into it with a technology and not a firm understanding of the problem, you're going to solve a problem that isn’t there — and at best, you'll just end up with a great tech demo.” – Zachary Hanif
🔑 Key Takeaways
Start with the use case, not the tool: Jumping in with LLMs without a clear business problem leads to superficial results.
UX in AI is different: You’re not just designing for humans—you're designing for a human-model-human interaction loop.
POCs must build trust: Especially with generative AI, proof-of-concepts must feel reliable and human-like to succeed.
AI increases surface area: Models introduce new attack surfaces and complexities. Security, observability, and model risk management are critical.
Think systems, not screens: LLMs change how users interact with software. This demands broader thinking from designers and PMs.
⏱️ Timestamped Highlights
00:00 – Intro to Zachary Hanif and Twilio's AI mission
02:05 – Why most companies are AI tool users, not tool makers
04:25 – The “chatbot temptation” and why it might not be the best starting point
06:00 – UX lessons from Google’s early search box vs. today’s LLMs
08:30 – Why we’re still early in discovering transformative AI use cases
11:55 – How AI changes what a good POC looks like
14:59 – Should AI UX be its own discipline?
18:23 – How to know when a POC is ready for production
22:12 – Dealing with AI’s expanding “surface area” and model drift
25:56 – Why model risk management matters more than ever
In this episode, Amir chats with Bobby Touran, the non-technical CEO and co-founder of Rainbow, an insurance tech company that thrives on strong engineering culture. They dive deep into how non-technical founders can effectively collaborate with technical teams, foster a hybrid office culture, and ensure that engineers are closely aligned with business objectives. Bobby shares how Rainbow maintains a tight feedback loop, how returning to in-office work has shaped their growth, and why AI isn’t necessarily replacing jobs in insurance but transforming them.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
Non-technical founders can be powerful allies to engineering teams by focusing on context, communication, and fostering a collaborative culture.
Being back in the office has served as a key differentiator in attracting engineers who value social interaction and cross-functional communication.
Culture is not static—Bobby emphasizes actively evolving it through regular offsites, tools like Slack Donut, and clear alignment between technical and business teams.
Engineering teams thrive when given real-world context—Rainbow’s practice of dining at insured restaurants is a brilliant example of tying product to user impact.
Transparency and experience matter—Rainbow’s engineering team is senior, engaged in thoughtful discussions on technical debt, and values clear communication around business priorities.
AI is reshaping roles, not removing them—Bobby shares his view that AI will augment rather than replace underwriting and risk assessment functions in insurance.
⏰ Timestamped Highlights:
00:00 – Introduction to Bobby Touran and overview of Rainbow’s mission.
02:10 – Bobby’s approach as a non-technical founder and fostering strong relationships with engineers.
04:43 – Building a healthy engineering org: culture is intentional, not accidental.
07:48 – The importance of engineers understanding the "why" behind product decisions.
10:29 – Why being back in the office twice a week has helped Rainbow’s growth and culture.
15:03 – How engineering and leadership collaborate on roadmap and growth opportunities.
19:03 – Decision-making confidence: balancing business opportunities and engineering cycles.
21:59 – Bobby’s take on AI's role in insurance and how Rainbow is integrating it.
25:43 – Connect with Bobby and explore career opportunities at Rainbow.
💡 Featured Quote:
"The culture is not something that you define and it just is what it is. It’s something you actively work on. It’s always evolving." – Bobby Touran
📢 Connect & Learn More:
Website: useRainbow.com – Check out the About Us page and open engineering roles.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobby-touran-782a6513/
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In this episode, Vijay Sankararaman breaks down how to intentionally build a low-churn, high-impact team culture. Whether you’re a tech leader, manager, or individual contributor aiming to level up your leadership skills, Vijay shares tangible lessons and frameworks to keep your team motivated, productive, and resilient—without sacrificing authenticity.
📚 Lessons & Leadership Takeaways
Lesson 1: Crafting Vision That Sticks
"Am I valued?"
— the question every team member subconsciously asks.
Vijay emphasizes the importance of clarity + buy-in. It’s not enough to have a lofty team vision—you need to ensure each person sees themselves in that vision. Leaders must actively align the team's purpose with individual validation.
Lesson 2: Understanding Intrinsic Motivation
“Enthusiasm is common. Endurance is rare.”
Borrowing from Angela Duckworth, Vijay discusses the challenge of sustaining energy over time. His approach:
- ✔️ Learn each team member's personal definition of growth.
- ✔️ Help light the fire beneath their intrinsic goals—not just professional milestones, but personal fulfillment.
Lesson 3: Building Enduring Trust & Vulnerability
Vijay advocates for psychological safety and social freedom:
- Leaders must create spaces where people can drop their guard, shed ego, and express goals or concerns.
- Authenticity at the leadership level trickles down—trust is the currency that keeps teams aligned.
Lesson 4: Managing Ambiguity with the 80-10-10 Rule
“Not every conversation needs 100% clarity.”
Vijay’s 80-10-10 framework:
- 80% of information → shared openly with the whole team.
- 10% → reserved for focused 1:1 conversations.
- 10% → intentional ambiguity to encourage senior team members to develop resilience and independent thinking.
Lesson 5: Productive Friction & Healthy Chaos
Conflict isn’t the enemy—it’s a tool.
Vijay encourages creating healthy chaos:
- Focus more on asking the right questions than offering immediate solutions.
- Curiosity-driven leadership + active listening ensures issues surface early, and innovations thrive.
🕒 Timestamped Highlights
- 00:00 — Intro to Vijay & episode topic
- 01:59 — Defining “high impact” in tech teams
- 03:11 — Vision clarity & team buy-in strategies
- 05:18 — Aligning personal growth goals with team objectives
- 09:29 — Building trust & psychological safety
- 12:17 — Why productive chaos is essential
- 14:40 — Team collaboration over perfection: Vijay’s puzzle exercise
- 18:32 — Communication strategy: 80-10-10 rule
- 22:00 — Connect with Vijay on LinkedIn
📢 Quote of the Episode
"Enthusiasm is common. Endurance is rare. As leaders, it’s our job to sustain that energy, to light the fire beneath each individual’s intrinsic motivation."
— Vijay Sankararaman
🔗 Connect & Share
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➡️ Leave a review, subscribe, and help spread the word on building resilient, motivated teams in tech!
In this episode, Amir sits down with Santhosh Kumar, Head of Data at Trepp, to unpack the evolving world of Data as a Product. Data is no longer just a support function—it’s becoming a core business driver. Santhosh shares how data teams are embracing a product-oriented approach, aligning closely with business goals while mirroring software engineering practices.
If you’ve ever wondered:
How data can be treated like a shippable product
What mindset shifts data teams need
And how collaboration between data, product, and tech teams is evolving
This episode is for you!
🔥 Key Takeaways:
Data as a Product = Data with Purpose:
It’s not just about pipelines and reports—it’s about delivering business value like increased revenue, better user experience, and cost optimization.
Striking a Balance Between Tech & Business:
Santhosh emphasizes that successful data teams blend technical excellence with a strong understanding of business objectives. It’s not one or the other.
Mindset Shift is Crucial:
Data teams must move from being reactive service providers to proactive product thinkers—asking the right questions, prioritizing value, and collaborating closely with stakeholders.
Alignment with Software Engineering Practices:
Data engineering is increasingly mirroring software engineering: roadmaps, product managers, long-term planning, and ownership are becoming key.
The Role of Data Quality & Governance:
In the age of productized data, ensuring accuracy, governance, and discoverability at every stage is non-negotiable.
⏱️ Timestamped Highlights:
[00:00] Introduction to Santhosh Kumar & TREP’s mission in structured finance, CRE, and banking data.
[02:00] What does Data as a Product actually mean? Why it’s more than dashboards and CSVs.
[04:00] Balancing tech and business—where Santhosh’s team fits.
[07:00] Collaboration challenges: aligning with tech teams & self-serving stakeholders.
[09:00] How treating data like a product impacts strategy and mindset shifts.
[12:00] Key differences between data pipelines and software engineering cycles.
[14:00] The role of product managers on data teams.
[16:00] The increasing technical depth of data teams & potential future bifurcation of business vs. technical roles.
[18:00] Roadmap planning: how far ahead data teams are planning, and why.
[19:30] Final thoughts and how to connect with Santhosh on LinkedIn.
💡 Featured Quote:
"We use technology to translate business requirements and maximize value—that's where the magic happens. Data isn't just numbers; it's a product with purpose." – Santhosh Kumar
📣 Enjoyed this episode? Share it with your fellow data practitioners, software engineers, or tech leaders. Let’s get the conversation rolling—especially with CTOs and VPs who need to collaborate tighter with data teams!
In this episode, Amir sits down with Trevor Lee, Co-founder and CEO of Myko AI, to unpack his unconventional leap from the finance world to building a cutting-edge tech company. Trevor shares how he navigated leaving a comfortable corporate job, using an MBA to break into tech, and the iterative process of finding product-market fit, including pivotal moments and lessons learned while bootstrapping and scaling his business.
🔥 Key Takeaways:
Trust Your Gut & Bet on Yourself: Trevor realized early that traditional corporate environments weren't for him. His dissatisfaction pushed him toward entrepreneurship.
Using an MBA as a Pivot Point: While some may dismiss the value of an MBA in tech, Trevor leveraged it to gain exposure, experiment, and network, ultimately identifying his ideal role as a tech founder.
Product-Market Fit is a Journey, Not a Destination: Trevor candidly discusses how his company pivoted multiple times, emphasizing constant customer discovery and iteration.
Bootstrapping Builds Grit: Failing to raise initial capital didn’t stop Trevor; instead, he bootstrapped MyKo, learning key lessons about resilience and resourcefulness.
Sales > Code (Sometimes): As CEO, Trevor unexpectedly found himself deeply involved in sales – a critical part of driving growth even for a technical product.
Location Isn’t Everything: Based in Florida, Trevor highlights how being outside Silicon Valley hasn’t limited his access to capital, mentors, or customers—especially in a post-remote world.
🕒 Timestamped Highlights:
00:28 – Trevor’s background: from finance to founding MyKo
01:36 – The motivation to leave a comfortable corporate job
03:05 – Why Trevor pursued an MBA to break into tech
05:36 – How the idea for Myko originated and evolved during business school
07:56 – Navigating pivots and recognizing when to change direction
09:58 – Aligning a small team during a pivot decision
11:38 – Confidence in the current product and growth focus
12:57 – The story behind bootstrapping vs. early fundraising struggles
14:54 – Shifting roles as CEO: From product to sales leadership
15:28 – Skills Trevor wishes he had focused on earlier (sales & technical chops)
17:02 – How mentors and investors have guided his journey
18:52 – Founding outside a traditional tech hub: Advantages and challenges
20:35 – Trevor’s vision for Myko's future: Hybrid remote growth strategy
21:40 – How to connect with Trevor for advice or collaboration
💡 Memorable Quote:
“You don’t truly appreciate how much chewing glass being a founder is and the level of unsexy, terrible work you have to do all the time.” – Trevor Lee
🎯 Audience Note:
This episode is a must-listen for anyone who is considering making the leap into entrepreneurship, especially those outside traditional tech hubs or without prior technical backgrounds.
💬 Connect with Trevor:
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevorlee20
In this episode, Amir is joined by Sachin Nene to explore what it really takes to thrive as a modern CTO. Sachin shares actionable strategies for balancing vision and execution, managing relationships with CEOs and fellow executives, and staying relatable and credible with engineering teams. They dive deep into the challenges of expectation management, engineering metrics, and how AI tools like LLMs are reshaping the future of engineering leadership.
Whether you're already in a leadership role or aspiring to step up, this conversation is packed with practical insights tailored for today’s fast-moving tech landscape.
Key Takeaways:
The CTO as a Strategic Subcontractor: Sachin redefines the CTO role as the "subcontractor" within the C-suite — fully responsible for delivery without burdening non-technical peers with unnecessary details.
Balancing Vision & Execution: Effective CTOs master both managing expectations upwards and maintaining technical credibility downward, acting as the glue between business goals and engineering execution.
Building Trust with Engineering Teams: Staying relatable means understanding current trends (like LLMs), engaging in technical brainstorming, and being able to advocate for the team at any level.
Avoid Over-Optimizing Metrics: Sachin warns against over-indexing on engineering metrics (e.g., DORA metrics) when they risk detaching teams from meaningful business impact.
Future-Proof Engineering Leadership: With AI’s influence growing, CTOs must rethink hiring profiles and team structures, moving toward polyglot engineers who can flex between product, business, and technical hats.
Timestamped Highlights:
[00:00] Introduction & Overview: Sachin’s journey from Upside CTO to launching fractional CTO services.
[01:00] CTO Relationship with C-suite: Why the CTO operates differently from other executives, and why it’s akin to a subcontracted role.
[03:00] Balancing Business & Technical Leadership: How Sachin keeps one foot in business strategy and one in technical leadership.
[07:00] Staying Relatable to Engineering Teams: Practical ways to stay connected—personal research, whiteboarding sessions, and knowing when to step into the technical weeds.
[10:00] Translating Strategy into Metrics: The difficulty of measuring engineering success without losing sight of broader goals.
[14:00] Dangers of Over-Optimizing Metrics: The risk of becoming overly process-driven and detached from actual business outcomes.
[16:00] Technology-Driven Revenue Opportunities: How a CTO ensures technology investments align with business shifts, particularly in SaaS models.
[19:00] Preparing for the AI Shift: Why LLMs and AI tools require a new type of engineering team and leadership approach.
[22:00] The Shift Left in Engineering: Why tomorrow’s engineers need to think more like product managers and business leaders.
Featured Quote:
"The ideal CTO is the king or queen of expectation management—balancing business impact with technical trust, without getting lost in jargon or micromanagement." — Sachin Nene
Links:
Connect with Sachin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sachinnene/
Learn more at sachinnene.com
Call to Action:
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In this episode of The Tech Trek, Amir Bormand sits down with Nirmal Ranganathan, CTO, Global Public Cloud at Rackspace, to dissect one of the hottest and most crucial topics in today’s tech landscape—trust in AI applications. They explore how enterprises can drive adoption of AI solutions, what key factors are needed to foster trust, and why guardrails, security, and change management play a pivotal role. Whether you're a developer, tech leader, or AI enthusiast, this episode dives deep into the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of AI adoption.
Key Takeaways
- Trust is the Cornerstone: For AI adoption to succeed, users must trust the output. Trust hinges on data quality, security, responsible use, and model transparency.
- Change Management Matters: Adoption in enterprises isn't about trends—it’s about clear processes, education, and user enablement.
- Guardrails Are Non-Negotiable: Especially when AI is exposed to external users, organizations need strong safety checks—think toxicity filters, bias mitigation, and strict data governance.
- Scaling AI = Scaling Costs: Unlike typical systems, scaling AI comes with heavy computational costs. Patterns like caching and model optimization are essential for sustainability.
- Prompt Engineering & Peer Learning: The secret to effective enterprise AI adoption is empowering users to master prompt engineering and fostering peer collaboration.
- Future of Adoption: 2025 might not yet be the year of mass AI production rollout, but the curve is gradually climbing—especially with evolving architectures and better model accuracy.
Timestamped Highlights
- [00:00:00] Introduction to Nirmal Ranganathan & the importance of trust in AI
- [00:01:34] Why adoption is key—and why most tech projects fail due to lack of it
- [00:02:50] Three pillars of successful AI adoption: Trust, Change Management, Functionality
- [00:05:02] The trust barrier: Hallucinations, relevance, and grounding AI responses in enterprise knowledge
- [00:10:01] Why most AI projects are stuck in POCs—and what's preventing full-scale deployment
- [00:11:43] Technical guardrails: Security, scalability challenges, and compliance considerations
- [00:14:56] Cost & infrastructure challenges when scaling AI solutions to millions of users
- [00:17:52] How tech companies differ from enterprises in deploying AI—data privacy, safety checks, user unpredictability
- [00:20:00] The role of prompt engineering, peer learning, and experiential training in ensuring AI adoption success
- [00:22:16] What the future holds for AI adoption—and why the heavy lifting might get easier
Featured Quote "AI adoption compounds all of our existing challenges—and then multiplies them by five or ten times." — Nirmal Ranganathan
Connect with Nirmal
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rnirmal/
If you enjoyed this episode, please like, share, and subscribe! Don’t forget to follow the podcast to stay updated on future episodes.
In this episode, we dive into the real-world experimentation of Generative AI (Gen AI) with Naveed Asem. Naveed shares his hands-on experience in identifying, testing, and scaling AI-driven solutions. We discuss how organizations should approach experimentation, set success metrics, manage stakeholders, and navigate governance challenges.
If your company is exploring Gen AI or struggling with moving AI pilots to production, this episode is packed with insights to help you move forward.
Key Takeaways
🔹 The 4P Framework for AI Adoption – Platforms, Potential, People, and Policies form the foundation for AI experimentation and implementation.
🔹 Prioritization Strategy – Wex uses an impact vs. complexity matrix to determine which AI projects to pursue.
🔹 Iterative Product Development – AI projects need constant evaluation due to the rapidly evolving technology landscape.
🔹 Governance and Risk Mitigation – Hallucination-free AI is critical for financial institutions, requiring strict regulatory and security measures.
🔹 Measuring ROI in AI – The challenge isn’t just in cost savings but also in tracking efficiency gains and organizational impact.
🔹 Change Management – Early AI adoption requires executive buy-in and employee education to drive acceptance.
Timestamped Highlights
[00:00] – Introduction to the episode and guest, Naveed Asem
[00:01:20] – Overview of Wex and its role in fintech and payments
[00:02:10] – How to identify business needs that align with AI solutions
[00:03:45] – The 4P framework: a structured approach to AI adoption
[00:06:00] – How Wex prioritizes AI experiments using an impact vs. complexity framework
[00:08:41] – Establishing measurable goals for AI projects – revenue, productivity, and customer satisfaction
[00:12:03] – The AI product development lifecycle: discovery, delivery, and optimization
[00:14:50] – Navigating challenges with generative AI: hallucinations, governance, and security
[00:16:46] – The role of governance in AI – from acceptable use policies to ethical considerations
[00:21:11] – The impact of AI on jobs and processes – change management in action
[00:25:28] – How companies are evaluating ROI for AI and tracking efficiency improvements
[00:28:50] – Where to connect with Naveed Asem for further discussion
Quote from the Episode
"AI governance isn’t just about policies—it’s about ethics, security, and ensuring that what we build is trustworthy and aligned with real-world needs." – Naveed Asem
Connect with Naveed Asem
📌 LinkedIn: Naveed Asem
In this episode, Amir Bormand sits down with Jeremy Goldsmith, VP of Engineering at Branch, to explore leading with purpose and how it impacts engineering teams. Jeremy shares his philosophy on leadership, the psychology behind motivation, and how connecting individual contributions to a larger purpose can unlock potential and drive performance.
This conversation is a must-listen for engineering leaders, tech managers, and individual contributors who want to cultivate a stronger sense of purpose in their work and teams.
Key Takeaways
🔹 Clarity in Purpose Fuels Performance – Helping engineers understand the bigger picture leads to higher engagement, motivation, and job satisfaction.
🔹 Connecting the Dots – Leaders must translate business strategy into meaningful work for individuals and teams.
🔹 Balancing Strategic & Tactical Thinking – The best leaders can zoom in and out, ensuring both long-term vision and day-to-day execution are aligned.
🔹 Psychology in Leadership – Jeremy's psychology background plays a big role in how he manages and motivates his teams.
🔹 Hiring for Purpose Alignment – Engineers often self-select into mission-driven companies; leaders should recognize this when hiring and retaining talent.
🔹 Authenticity Matters – You can’t fake purpose—people see through it. Leadership must be genuine in their messaging and actions.
🔹 Vulnerability as a Strength – Great leaders model growth and development, making it easier for their teams to do the same.
Timestamped Highlights
⏱ [00:00:00] Introduction – Jeremy Goldsmith joins the show to discuss leadership and purpose-driven engineering.
⏱ [00:01:00] What Does Branch Do? – Jeremy explains deep linking and how Branch enhances digital experiences.
⏱ [00:03:00] Defining Leading with Purpose – Helping engineers see meaning in their work improves engagement.
⏱ [00:07:00] Connecting Work to Strategy – Why engineers need clear links between daily tasks and company goals.
⏱ [00:10:00] Avoiding Corporate Jargon – Leaders should communicate in plain language to build trust.
⏱ [00:12:00] Unlocking Potential – How purpose ties into motivation and high performance.
⏱ [00:14:00] Mission-Driven Workplaces – Jeremy’s experience at Tendril and how mission impacts hiring and culture.
⏱ [00:17:00] Do Engineers Self-Select into Companies? – How job seekers evaluate company missions.
⏱ [00:19:00] Psychology and Leadership – Jeremy’s background in psychology and how it informs his leadership style.
⏱ [00:24:00] Getting to Know Your Team – Why spending time with individuals leads to better outcomes.
⏱ [00:26:00] Being a Work in Progress – Modeling self-improvement as a leader.
⏱ [00:27:00] Part Two Teaser – A future episode on finding the right workplace fit.
Quote from the Episode
"Leading with purpose isn’t just about inspiring teams—it’s about helping them connect their daily work to something bigger. When people see the impact they make, they perform at a higher level." – Jeremy Goldsmith
Connect with Jeremy
📩 LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremygoldsmith/ (Mention the podcast when reaching out!)
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In this episode, I sit down with Nate Sullivan, the CTO at Academia.edu, to discuss technology strategy and special projects. Nate shares insights on identifying and prioritizing emerging technologies, balancing innovation with business needs, and collaborating with product teams to drive impactful technical advancements.
Key Takeaways
The Role of a CTO in Special Projects
Nate focuses on exploring technologies a few quarters ahead while aligning them with business strategy.
Balancing Exploration with Business Needs
Special projects should solve real business problems rather than being just theoretical experiments.
AI & Its Application in Research
Academia.edu has developed AI-powered tools like Academia Answers to extract insights from millions of research papers.
Assessing Emerging Technologies
Instead of chasing distant tech trends, Nate prioritizes technologies with immediate use cases.
Product & Engineering Alignment
Special projects often treat the product team as the customer, ensuring technical capabilities translate into valuable user experiences.
Measuring Success & Knowing When to Pivot
Projects have clear time-bound evaluations—if results don’t align with expectations, it's time to reassess or move on.
Timestamped Highlights
[00:00] Introduction to the episode & guest, Nate Sullivan
[00:01] What Academia.edu does & Nate’s role as CTO
[00:02] Exploring technologies for future implementation
[00:04] AI-powered innovation at Academia.edu (Academia Answers)
[00:07] How far ahead should companies look at emerging tech?
[00:08] Working with the product team—when and how to involve them
[00:12] Deciding when to stop a special project that isn’t progressing
[00:14] Evaluating success: AB testing & impact on users
[00:17] How the special projects team operates within engineering
[00:19] Communicating progress to leadership & aligning with company goals
[00:21] Final thoughts & how to connect with Nate
Notable Quote
"I think the crucial thing is building something that a customer actually wants, which is very hard as we all know. It requires really understanding their needs, but also knowing about tools that they might not naturally think of." — Nate Sullivan
Connect with Nate
Find Nate on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nate00/
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Join Amir Bormand in a captivating discussion with Anand Madhavan, VP of Engineering at Everlaw, as they explore innovative development models, the art of integrating into new company cultures, and why Everlaw prioritizes quality code over strict deadlines. Anand reveals how Everlaw's unconventional engineering practices cultivate a sustainable, high-quality development environment focused on long-term success.
Key Takeaways:
Embracing a Unique Development Model:
Everlaw's "no deadlines" philosophy promotes quality and sustainable software.
Prioritizing thoroughness over speed helps maintain high developer morale and lower burnout.
Cultural Alignment for Engineering Leaders:
Importance of assessing and understanding company culture in the initial 90 days.
Utilizing frameworks (e.g., "The First 90 Days" book) to align leadership approaches effectively.
Addressing Technical Debt Strategically:
Technical debt is proactively managed through documentation, careful planning, and supporting engineers in tackling issues as they arise.
Engineering managers at Everlaw play a critical role in protecting the team from unrealistic pressures, ensuring long-term code health.
Balancing Customer Needs and Engineering Excellence:
Everlaw commits to "shipping functionality with healthy urgency," ensuring customer satisfaction without compromising technical integrity.
Clear communication and disciplined sales practices prevent the premature selling of undeveloped features.
Timestamped Highlights:
[00:01:00] Introduction to Everlaw and its role as a "truth-finding machine" in litigation.
[00:02:30] Anand’s perspective on assimilating into new engineering cultures using insights from "The First 90 Days."
[00:05:00] Core concepts of Everlaw’s unique engineering model.
[00:09:00] Discussing the "no deadlines" model and its positive impact on developer happiness and productivity.
[00:15:00] Strategic approach to managing and minimizing technical debt.
[00:18:00] Importance of managerial support and autonomy for empowering engineering teams.
Engaging Quote:
"Developing software is like a long hike—take one step at a time, enjoy the view, leave no garbage, and trust the team to make the right decisions."
Connect with Anand Madhavan:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/madhavananand
Enjoyed the episode? Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments!
In this episode, Amir Bormand welcomes Scott Persinger, CEO of Supercog AI, to discuss the rise of agentic AI and its applications in modern businesses. They explore the evolving role of AI agents in knowledge management, team collaboration, and enterprise automation, particularly in environments like Slack. The conversation delves into how AI is reshaping work, privacy and ethical considerations, and the future of human-AI collaboration.
Key Takeaways
🔹 Agentic AI vs. Traditional AI – Agentic AI enables systems to plan, reason, and take iterative actions based on real-time feedback, offering more dynamic solutions than static AI models.
🔹 The Evolution of AI Agents – While agent-based AI has been discussed for decades, recent advancements in large language models (LLMs) have made them more effective at executing complex tasks autonomously.
🔹 Enterprise AI Adoption – Companies are sitting on vast knowledge bases, but AI’s ability to search, retrieve, and process unstructured data is still evolving. AI agents in Slack and other platforms can help bridge this gap.
🔹 AI in Slack and Workplace Collaboration – By integrating AI agents into platforms like Slack, businesses can automate and streamline workflows without complex engineering resources.
🔹 The Debate on Vertical vs. General AI – While some believe AI should specialize in vertical applications (like finance, healthcare, or insurance), others argue that general AI will soon be capable of handling multiple domains with high proficiency
🔹 Computer Vision & AI Agents – The next step in AI evolution includes visual data processing, allowing AI agents to analyze screenshots, documents, and interfaces, making interactions even more seamless.
🔹 Privacy & Ethical Concerns – As AI agents gain access to corporate communications and historical data, privacy and governance will play a crucial role in adoption.
🔹 The Role of Humans in AI-Driven Workflows – AI adoption will likely involve human oversight ("human in the loop") in the short term, but as AI improves, trust in fully autonomous systems may increase.
Timestamped Highlights
[00:00] – Introduction to Scott Persinger and Supercog AI’s mission.
[02:00] – The origins and resurgence of agentic AI.
[05:00] – Vertical AI vs. General AI: Which will dominate?
[08:00] – Why knowledge search and retrieval are AI’s low-hanging fruit.
[11:00] – How AI agents in Slack enhance team collaboration and efficiency.
[14:00] – The rise of AI-powered assistants instead of AI replacing human workers.
[16:00] – Computer vision as the next leap for agentic AI.
[18:00] – Privacy and ethical concerns with AI searching historical corporate data
[21:00] – The human-in-the-loop debate and how much control people will retain over AI decisions.
[24:00] – The shift from multi-source research (Google) to single-answer AI interactions.
[27:00] – Final thoughts on AI’s future and how people can connect with Scott Persinger.
Quote of the Episode
"We’re heading towards a world where AI models will know more than any human could, and that will fundamentally change how we trust information and make decisions." – Scott Persinger
Connect with Scott Persinger
📧 Email: scottp@supercog.ai
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottpersinger
Support the Podcast!
👍 Like & Subscribe – Don’t miss an episode!
📢 Share – If you found this insightful, send it to a friend or colleague.
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🎙️ Tune in next time for more conversations on the future of technology!
In this episode, Amir Bormand chats with Jake Moshenko about his journey from engineer to founder, the challenges of identifying the right startup ideas, and navigating both venture capital and bootstrapping. They also discuss decision-making, failure, and the growing role of AI in authorization systems.
Key Takeaways
Turning an Idea into a Startup: Jake emphasizes the importance of picking the right problems to solve—ones that are painful, widely felt, and worth paying for.
The "Muscle" of Evaluating Ideas: Recognizing which ideas are viable requires experience and learning from past failures.
Bootstrapping vs. VC: Both approaches have trade-offs—bootstrapping requires patience and personal risk, while VC funding adds pressure but accelerates growth.
Decision-Making as a Founder: Founders must make decisions without perfect information and delegate when possible.
AI and Authorization: AI companies face similar security challenges as traditional applications, and AuthZed is helping businesses ensure secure, permission-based access.
Timestamped Highlights
[00:01:00] – Introduction: Jake’s journey from engineer to startup founder.
[00:02:30] – The origins of AuthZed: Identifying a need based on past experience.
[00:05:00] – How Jake evaluates startup ideas using his three criteria.
[00:09:30] – Learning from startup failures and developing a critical decision-making "muscle."
[00:14:00] – Decision-making as a founder: Confidence, risk tolerance, and analysis paralysis.
[00:18:00] – Bootstrapping vs. venture capital: The key differences and challenges.
[00:21:00] – AI and security: How AuthZed helps AI companies protect data.
[00:24:00] – Where to connect with Jake and final thoughts.
Quote from the Episode
"You need to fail a lot. You can over-index on success stories, but real learning comes from understanding why things didn’t work." – Jake Moshenko
Connect with Jake
Website: https://authzed.com/
Discord: Join via the link on AuthZed's homepage
In this episode, Srini Rajagopal joins us to discuss how Generative AI (Gen AI) is transforming the engineering landscape. We explore the challenges of integrating AI into legacy products vs. building AI-first solutions from the ground up, the impact on developer productivity, and how teams prioritize AI-driven innovation while bringing stakeholders along for the ride.
🔹 How should engineering teams think about AI adoption?
🔹 Where do AI-driven efficiencies actually go?
🔹 What does success look like in AI integration?
Srini shares actionable insights from his experience leading engineering at Navan Expense, a major travel and expense platform, as they leverage AI to unlock hyper-personalization, automation, and developer velocity.
🎯 Key Takeaways
✔ AI Adoption Strategy: Organizations must retrofit AI based on user needs rather than forcing AI into existing product frameworks.
✔ Legacy vs. Ground-Up AI Integration: Legacy products pose challenges with user experience and expectations, while AI-first solutions provide faster innovation cycles.
✔ AI’s Impact on Developers: Engineers are evolving into problem solvers and editors rather than just coders, shifting left into the business side of decision-making.
✔ AI-Driven Efficiency: AI reduces manual coding time, enabling engineers to iterate faster, focus on strategic problems, and deliver business impact.
✔ Guardrails for AI Implementation: AI-driven solutions require a probabilistic mindset—instead of strict rules, companies must define what "wrong" looks like and use AI to monitor itself.
✔ The Future of AI in Engineering: Expect a shift toward natural language-driven development and more automation in business logic and rules-based programming.
✔ Measuring Success: AI adoption should be tracked through customer value, impact on developers' velocity, and measurable efficiency gains—not just cost savings.
⏱️ Timestamped Highlights
[00:02:00] – The Two Key Factors in AI Integration: Solving existing inefficiencies vs. unlocking new possibilities
[00:04:00] – Personalization at Scale: How Gen AI customizes data views dynamically for Navan users
[00:06:30] – Prioritizing AI Features: Balancing business value, feasibility, and innovation risks
[00:08:30] – Managing Stakeholders: Keeping internal teams engaged even when AI adoption takes time
[00:09:45] – AI’s Impact on Developers: Shifting from code generation to business problem-solving
[00:12:00] – The Future of Engineering: AI will push engineers toward higher-level decision-making and automation
[00:15:00] – The Complexity of Bringing AI into Legacy Products: Navigating accuracy, consistency, and user expectations
[00:17:30] – Lessons Learned: How AI speeds up internationalization and the importance of self-regulating AI guardrails
🔥 Quote of the Episode
"Developers are evolving from just writing code to solving real business problems—AI is pushing engineering toward strategic thinking and automation." – Srini Rajagopal
📢 Connect with Srini Rajagopal
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srajagop/
🐦 Twitter: @SriniRajagopal
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👉 Share this with a fellow engineering leader or AI enthusiast
👉 Subscribe & leave a review to help more people discover the show
👉 Got thoughts or feedback? Drop a comment!
In this episode, Amir Bormand is joined by Jay Como to discuss how organizations can simplify data governance. Jay shares insights on shifting the perception of governance from a bureaucratic burden to a business enabler, how emerging technologies like Gen AI can assist in governance challenges, and strategies for making governance policies more effective and accessible.
🔑 Key Takeaways
Data Governance Has a Stigma – But It Can Be Overcome
Traditional governance has been slow and bureaucratic. The key to transformation is making governance more business-focused and outcome-driven.
Governance Needs Storytelling and Sales Skills
Successful data governance leaders are not just compliance experts—they understand how to "sell" governance by tying it to business outcomes.
Balancing Governance and Business Agility
Organizations must strike a balance between strong controls and flexibility to support commercial goals.
Gen AI and Data Governance
Generative AI is evolving as a tool to enhance governance processes, from data quality rule identification to metadata collection.
Start Small, Build Trust
If you're looking to simplify governance, start with listening, identify quick wins, and build relationships with stakeholders.
Breaking into Data Governance
You don’t need a governance background to succeed. Strong business knowledge, digital fluency, and a strategic mindset can help professionals transition into governance roles.
🕒 Timestamped Highlights
[00:00] Introduction to Jay Como and the topic of data governance
[01:30] The perception vs. reality of governance—why it feels slow and heavy
[03:45] How to make governance an exciting career choice
[06:30] Balancing strong governance with commercial agility
[10:00] Why governance should be “sold” as a business enabler, not a compliance cost
[12:00] The correlation between data quality and governance complexity
[14:30] How Gen AI can help automate governance processes
[18:00] Steps to simplify governance processes within an organization
[21:00] The cultural aspect of governance—getting leadership buy-in
[25:00] How professionals from outside governance can transition into the field
[28:00] How to connect with Jay Como
📢 Quote of the Episode
"Governance should not feel like a roadblock—it should be the foundation that enables better business decisions, faster execution, and stronger data quality." – Jay Como
🔗 Connect with Jay Como
📍 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaycomoiii/
📢 Enjoyed the episode? Like, subscribe, and share with someone who would benefit from this conversation!
In this episode, Amir Bormand sits down with Ganesh Datta, Co-founder & CTO of Cortex, to dive deep into engineering excellence—what it means, how to measure it, and how to build it into the culture of a technology organization. They explore product thinking, shared standards, accountability, and continuous improvement, as well as the challenges of maintaining excellence across different types of companies.
Whether you're an engineering leader or a developer striving for high standards, this episode provides valuable insights into how to define, implement, and sustain engineering excellence in your organization.
Key Takeaways
Engineering Excellence is Continuous: There’s no final state of “excellence”—it’s about ongoing improvement and iteration.
The Four Pillars of Engineering Excellence:
Velocity – How fast can the team deliver?
Efficiency – Are resources being used optimally?
Security – Is the system safe and resilient?
Reliability – Can users trust the system to work as expected?
Business Alignment Matters: Excellence should align with business goals, whether that’s innovation, efficiency, or reliability.
Engineering Culture is Key: Excellence isn’t just about processes and metrics—it’s about visibility, accountability, and fostering a mindset of improvement.
Standardization vs. Flexibility: While setting clear standards is crucial, organizations must adapt their definitions of excellence based on their unique challenges and priorities.
Timestamped Highlights
[00:00:00] – Introduction: Who is Ganesh Datta, and what is Cortex?
[00:02:00] – Defining engineering excellence and why it differs by company.
[00:05:00] – Engineering excellence as a cultural foundation, not just an end goal.
[00:07:30] – Measuring excellence: The role of metrics and how to avoid focusing on lagging indicators.
[00:10:30] – Overcoming resistance to engineering standards and ensuring adoption across teams.
[00:12:30] – How business drivers shape engineering standards.
[00:15:30] – Why excellence is different for every company: Comparing OpenAI vs. a large financial institution.
[00:18:00] – How CTOs can translate business goals into engineering priorities.
[00:21:00] – Ensuring consistency: How to sustain high standards year after year.
[00:23:00] – Where to connect with Ganesh Datta for follow-up questions.
Quote of the Episode
“Engineering excellence is not an end state—it’s a culture of continuous improvement. You’re never truly excellent, just more excellent than before.” – Ganesh Datta
Connect with Ganesh Datta
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gsdatta/
Email: ganesh@cortex.io
Cortex Website: cortex.io
Artificial intelligence is moving beyond proofs-of-concept and into real-world production—but how do you make it work in highly secure environments? In this episode, Ben Van Roo, CEO & Co-Founder of Yurts, joins Amir Bormand to discuss the challenges of implementing Gen AI in government, financial institutions, and enterprises with strict security requirements.
Ben breaks down why 2024 is the year of POCs, but 2025 will be the year of production, the biggest "gotchas" companies face when scaling AI, and why infrastructure—not just modeling—is the real challenge. We also dive into why AI adoption in enterprises is different, how organizations must navigate governance and security, and whether legacy companies will finally leapfrog into AI or repeat the mistakes of slow digital transformation.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
2024: The Year of POCs; 2025: The Year of AI in Production – Organizations are moving from experimentation to full-scale adoption.
It’s Not Just a Modeling Problem—It’s a Software Problem – Scaling AI in enterprises is about infrastructure, access control, observability, and governance.
Biggest “Gotchas” in Production – Companies underestimate data access, role-based security, and integrating AI into existing workflows.
Legacy Infrastructure Isn’t Going Away – Over 50% of enterprise compute is still on-prem; AI must work with hybrid systems.
AI's Real Value: Corporate Memory & Efficiency – Organizations struggle with managing institutional knowledge—Gen AI can bridge the gap.
⏳ Timestamped Highlights:
[00:01:00] – Yurts’ mission: Connecting secure enterprises to AI without breaking compliance.
[00:03:00] – Why 2025 is the year AI goes into real production.
[00:07:00] – The "gotcha" moments: Scaling from proof-of-concept to enterprise-wide AI.
[00:12:00] – AI governance: Why “boring” topics like data security & observability matter more than ever.
[00:18:00] – AI’s potential to transform enterprise productivity, not just replace workers.
[00:22:00] – Will enterprises leapfrog to AI or repeat the slow-moving digital transformation struggles?
[00:27:00] – What makes AI adoption harder for highly secure enterprises (government, semiconductors, etc.)?
[00:29:00] – Ben’s advice: How organizations should start their AI journey today.
📢 Quote to Share:
"AI won’t change your business unless it’s connected to the work you do, the data you use, and the privacy requirements you have." – Ben Van Roo
🔗 Connect with Ben Van Roo:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanroo
📢 Like, Subscribe, and Share!
Love this episode? Leave a review and let us know your biggest AI adoption challenge in the comments!
In this episode, we dive deep into getting the right results from Gen AI with Timm Peddie, an expert in operationalizing AI at scale. We discuss the common pitfalls companies face, what "right results" actually mean, and how organizations can effectively implement Gen AI solutions. Timm shares practical strategies for AI adoption, the importance of rapid failure, and how companies can avoid costly mistakes.
🔍 Key Topics Covered:
✔️ Defining "Operationalizing Gen AI" and why it’s more than just integrating APIs
✔️ The challenge of hallucinations, drift, and policing AI models
✔️ The importance of rapid failure and iterative learning in AI projects
✔️ Picking the right POC (Proof of Concept) – What makes a successful AI pilot?
✔️ Managing AI costs – Avoiding unexpected cloud bills
✔️ Adoption & Trust – How to build confidence in AI outputs
✔️ Competitive advantage – Where AI will become table stakes and where companies can still differentiate
📌 Key Takeaways:
💡 1. AI Isn't Plug-and-Play – Deploying AI models requires process development, governance, and continuous monitoring. Organizations that think AI "just works" out of the box often fail.
💡 2. Expect AI Drift – AI models are never static. They improve or degrade over time and require ongoing retraining and human oversight to stay relevant.
💡 3. Rapid Failure = Faster Success – Companies should design for rapid iteration instead of expecting perfection from day one. The more experiments, the better the long-term outcomes.
💡 4. Internal POCs Matter – A low-risk starting point is using AI internally (e.g., automating HR handbook searches) before deploying customer-facing AI.
💡 5. Competitive Advantage is Temporary – AI will soon become table stakes. Early adopters gain an edge now, but long-term differentiation will come from how AI is embedded into business processes.
💡 6. AI Costs Can Balloon Quickly – Without clear cost structures and monitoring, AI projects can become expensive fast. Companies must understand pricing models for training and inference costs.
💡 7. Trust is Key to Adoption – Users will abandon AI systems if they don’t trust the results. Implementing quality checks and human oversight is crucial to ensuring AI credibility.
⏳ Timestamped Highlights:
📌 [00:01:00] – What does "Operationalizing Gen AI" mean? The real challenges beyond just using APIs.
📌 [00:04:00] – The problem of AI drift – Why the same model can produce different results over time.
📌 [00:07:00] – How to pick the right AI POC – Key characteristics of a successful pilot project.
📌 [00:09:30] – The risk of AI misinformation – The real-world example of an automaker’s AI chatbot fabricating car details.
📌 [00:12:00] – AI costs explained – How cloud providers structure AI pricing and where companies can get blindsided.
📌 [00:14:00] – Building AI trust – Why humans must be in the loop to validate AI results.
📌 [00:19:00] – Where does competitive advantage come from? Why AI will soon become table stakes.
💬 Notable Quote:
"If AI isn’t a part of every breath in your business, it’s going to be difficult to survive in the future." – Timm Peddie
🔗 Connect with Timm Peddie:
📌 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/peddie
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🔗 Share with someone in tech who needs to hear this.
In this episode, I sit down with Varun Madan, Head of Engineering at OneHouse, to discuss how startups must operate with slimmer margins—both in decision-making and execution. We dive into the high-stakes hiring process, balancing efficiency with impact, managing context switching, and transitioning between IC and leadership roles.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Hiring at a startup requires extreme precision. Every hire matters, and balancing speed vs. fit is key to avoiding costly mistakes.
✅ Prioritization is everything. Engineering teams need to measure their impact weekly, ensuring they drive value rather than just delivering effort.
✅ A structured hiring pipeline saves time. Using data-driven hiring matrices can prevent wasted engineering hours spent on interviews that won’t convert.
✅ Context switching is unavoidable, but it can be managed. Effective leaders block time on their calendars to focus on key areas without distraction.
✅ Blameless cultures drive improvement. Transparent postmortems and shared learning from mistakes help teams get stronger rather than fearful.
✅ Moving between IC and leadership roles can be a strategic advantage. Engineers who step back into IC roles often return as better leaders with deeper domain expertise.
Timestamped Highlights:
🕒 [00:01:00] - What is a Data Lakehouse? How OneHouse is shaping the future of data storage.
🕒 [00:03:00] - The challenge of making high-impact decisions quickly in a startup environment.
🕒 [00:05:00] - Why hiring is different in a startup vs. a big company—and how to refine the process.
🕒 [00:08:00] - How OneHouse balances deep expertise with learning potential when hiring engineers.
🕒 [00:12:00] - Context switching and efficiency—how Varun defends his calendar against distractions.
🕒 [00:16:00] - Why blameless cultures drive innovation and help engineering teams improve.
🕒 [00:20:00] - Moving from IC to leadership and back—how to position yourself for future leadership roles.
🕒 [00:23:00] - Advice for engineers looking to re-enter management after an IC stint.
Standout Quote:
"At the end of the day, everything we do has to be measured by impact. Effort alone doesn’t count—what really matters is delivering value." — Varun Madan
Connect with Varun:
📌 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/varun-madan-6b51377/
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✔️ Share it with someone who might find it useful!
✔️ Follow, rate, and review on your favorite podcast platform!
✔️ Let us know your thoughts in the comments or on social media!
In this episode, I sit down with Wade Bruce, CTO of Fetch, to explore his journey from engineer to CTO. We dive into what it takes to grow into a leadership role, how to create influence, and why focusing on value over titles leads to career progression. Wade shares his unique perspective on filling gaps within a company, playing "free," and embracing challenges without the fear of failure.
If you're in tech and aspiring to level up your career—whether you're an engineer, manager, or founder—this conversation is packed with valuable insights.
Key Takeaways:
🚀 Fill the Need First: Wade emphasizes solving problems and adding value over chasing titles. Career growth happens naturally when you focus on execution.
🎯 Play Free & Fearless: Don't let fear dictate your decisions. Trust your skills, take risks, and focus on the impact you can make.
📈 Growth is the Key Metric: Your success is determined by how much you’re evolving. Stagnation—not failure—is the real career risk.
🤝 Surround Yourself with the Right People: No one knows everything—find experts, delegate, and learn from those around you.
🏆 Culture Matters: Choose environments that encourage big swings and innovation, not ones that penalize failure.
Timestamped Highlights:
⏳ [00:01:00] – Wade’s journey into Fetch and the startup world
⏳ [00:03:00] – Did Wade plan to become CTO? (Hint: It wasn’t the goal)
⏳ [00:05:00] – Why stepping "back" into engineering helped his career move forward
⏳ [00:08:00] – The secret to getting promoted: Solve problems before aiming for titles
⏳ [00:11:00] – The trust factor: How adding consistent value creates opportunities
⏳ [00:14:00] – Transitioning into leadership: Delegation, influence, and playing at the right level
⏳ [00:17:00] – Why Fetch’s culture of big swings and learning from failure works
⏳ [00:20:00] – Advice to early-career engineers: How to accelerate your trajectory
⏳ [00:22:00] – Wade’s final thoughts and how to connect with him
Quote from the Episode:
"Job security is really just your ability to get your next job. Focus on growth, solving problems, and being valuable—everything else will follow." – Wade Bruce
Connect with Wade Bruce:
🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/wade-bruce-39359a33/
Support the Show:
✔️ Share this episode with a friend or colleague aiming for a leadership role.
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In this episode, Jeremy Whittington shares his journey of building a startup without relying on traditional venture capital. Instead, he leveraged alternative funding paths, including government grants and accelerators. We dive deep into the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, the I-Corps program, and how startups can secure non-dilutive funding to kickstart their business. If you're an entrepreneur looking for funding beyond VC, this episode is for you!
Key Takeaways:
🔹 SBIR Grants Can Fund Your MVP – The SBIR program provided Jeremy’s startup with $1.9M in non-dilutive funding, allowing them to build a prototype before taking on traditional investment.
🔹 Government Funding Has Strings Attached – While the money is great, it comes with paperwork, strict reporting, and compliance requirements—be prepared for documentation!
🔹 Accelerators Expand Your Network – Programs like Capital Factory and Deutsche Telekom’s hubraum helped Jeremy's team connect with investors and industry partners.
🔹 Customer Discovery is Critical – Through the I-Corps program, Jeremy discovered that their original idea wouldn’t work commercially and pivoted to a more lucrative market segment.
🔹 Alternative Funding Works Best for Certain Startups – If your company aligns with government priorities (e.g., cybersecurity, defense, healthcare, finance), alternative funding can be a game-changer.
Timestamped Highlights:
⏳ [00:02:00] – Jeremy introduces Illuma and how they developed voice biometrics for fraud prevention.
⏳ [00:03:40] – How Jeremy’s co-founder discovered the SBIR program while researching funding options.
⏳ [00:06:30] – The SBIR application process and how the phase-based funding structure works.
⏳ [00:08:55] – Why alternative funding isn’t well known and how startups can find relevant grants.
⏳ [00:11:20] – The challenges of working with government funding—compliance, reporting, and restrictions.
⏳ [00:14:00] – How I-Corps helped them pivot from securing government cell phones to working with financial institutions.
⏳ [00:18:00] – Jeremy’s experience with accelerators like Capital Factory & hubraum and how they helped with industry connections.
⏳ [00:21:06] – Would Jeremy take alternative funding again? His take on SBIR vs. VC for early-stage startups.
⏳ [00:24:38] – Final thoughts: Advice for entrepreneurs exploring alternative funding paths.
Quote of the Episode:
"If you want to start a company but don’t have a financial cushion, alternative funding—like SBIR grants—can help you quit your job and focus without giving up equity." – Jeremy Whittington
Resources & Links:
🔗 SBIR Program – https://www.sbir.gov
🔗 I-Corps Program – https://www.nsf.gov/i-corps
🔗 Connect with Jeremy on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremywhittington/
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🎙️ New episodes drop weekly – stay tuned!
In this episode, we dive into blurring engineering lines, full-stack engineering, and the evolving role of software engineers in a rapidly changing landscape. Sahil shares insights on how generative AI is reshaping engineering, the shift towards problem-solving over-specialization, and how teams can optimize for speed and business value.
Key Takeaways:
🔹 Blurring Engineering Roles: Traditional engineering roles (frontend, backend, DevOps) are blending, leading to more end-to-end ownership. Engineers who can span the stack and understand business impact are becoming more valuable.
🔹 The Power of Problem-Solving: As AI tools handle more code generation, the real skill will be problem formulation—defining problems correctly will matter as much as solving them.
🔹 Generative AI’s Impact: AI-powered tools are shifting software development leftward—catching security issues, automating QA, and assisting in DevOps before code even leaves the IDE.
🔹 Optimizing for Speed & Business Value: Small, autonomous teams with full ownership tend to deliver higher impact faster than large, interdependent teams.
🔹 The Future of Software Engineering: Despite concerns about AI replacing coding jobs, the demand for software engineers will increase, not decrease. The job will evolve, with natural language-based programming replacing traditional syntax-based coding.
Timestamped Highlights:
⏳ [00:00:00] Introduction – Sahil Maheshwari joins the show to discuss blurring engineering lines and its impact on speed and value.
⏳ [00:01:09] Full-Stack Engineering Revisited – Why the traditional boundaries between frontend, backend, and DevOps are disappearing.
⏳ [00:03:40] Generative AI and Engineering Autonomy – How AI-powered tools are enabling engineers to work across disciplines.
⏳ [00:06:57] Measuring Business Value & Speed – What are the right metrics to track speed and efficiency in engineering teams?
⏳ [00:08:59] Shift Left Engineering – Why engineers need to be closer to the problem and the customer to deliver the most value.
⏳ [00:12:11] AI & Developer Productivity – Real-world examples of how AI is making engineers more efficient.
⏳ [00:17:00] The Evolution of Software Engineering – Will engineers still be writing code in the future, or will AI handle it all?
⏳ [00:22:37] Ideal Team Structures – Why small, autonomous teams drive the most business value.
⏳ [00:27:02] Decision-Making in Engineering – The importance of reversible vs. irreversible decisions in technology strategy.
Quote from the Episode:
"The most valuable engineers won't just be the best coders—they'll be the best at defining the right problems to solve." – Sahil Maheshwari
Connect with Sahil Maheshwari:
🔗 LinkedIn: Reach out to Sahil on LinkedIn
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📩 Share it with your colleagues in engineering & tech leadership!
⭐ Subscribe & leave a review to help others discover the show.🗣️ Continue the conversation – Drop a comment or reach out if you have thoughts or questions!
In this episode, we dive into the evolving role of engineering leadership with Andy Elmhorst, VP of Engineering at Bolt. We explore the delicate balance between delegation and hands-on leadership, dissect the founder mode philosophy, and analyze how servant leadership has been interpreted—and sometimes misapplied—in tech organizations. Andy shares insights on why traditional management books may be outdated for modern engineering leadership, and how staying hands-on with teams can drive better problem-solving and business outcomes.
Key Takeaways
🚀 Founder Mode Explained – A leadership approach where managers work alongside teams, not just delegate.
📚 Are Management Books Outdated? – Why classic leadership principles may not fully apply to fast-moving engineering teams.
⚖️ The Balance Between Delegation & Hands-On Leadership – Knowing when to be involved and when to step back.
🛠 Servant Leadership: Misunderstood? – Andy challenges common interpretations and explains how coaching, not just empowering, is key.
🔄 Tech Leaders Must Stay Close to the Work – How maintaining technical depth can make engineering leaders more effective.
💡 The Impact of AI on Leadership – Will AI shift engineering leaders into more business-focused problem solvers?
Timestamped Highlights
🕒 [00:01:00] – Andy introduces Bolt and how their accelerated checkout technology works.
🕒 [00:02:30] – Why traditional management books don’t fully capture the realities of modern software engineering.
🕒 [00:03:47] – Founder mode vs. bureaucratic mode: What’s the difference?
🕒 [00:06:00] – The rise (and potential pitfalls) of servant leadership in tech.
🕒 [00:10:40] – Football coaches vs. engineering leaders: The art of guiding teams without being absent.
🕒 [00:15:00] – Push vs. pull leadership: How leaders can choose when to get involved.
🕒 [00:20:40] – Do AI and automation change the role of an engineering leader?
🕒 [00:26:30] – Andy’s non-traditional career journey—from VP back to IC and back again.
🕒 [00:34:35] – Final thoughts: Why leaders must always be learning and evolving.
Quote of the Episode
"Leadership is presence, not absence. The best managers don’t just delegate problems—they solve them together with their teams." – Andy Elmhorst
Connect with Andy
🔗 LinkedIn:Andy Elmhorst
✍️ Blog:compiling.enstaria.com
Join the Conversation!
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In this episode,Sasha Bartashnik shares her insights on howlarge language models (LLMs) are transforming the development ofdata products, making advanced AI-driven solutions moreaccessible and scalable. We dive into thechallenges of traditional data tools, theadvantages and risks of LLM integration, and how businesses shouldadapt to the changing landscape of AI-driven decision-making.
Key Takeaways
🔹What Are Data Products? – Any software that processes or surfaces data to users, including dashboards and AI-powered insights.
🔹Challenges in Building Data Products – Team complexity, data quality, and model training require specialized knowledge and resources.
🔹How LLMs Help – They speed up development, make AI-driven insights more accessible, and improve data cleaning and structuring.
🔹Risks and Limitations – Accuracy concerns, hallucinations, and over-reliance on AI-generated outputs require human oversight.
🔹Changing Stakeholder Expectations – Faster and more scalable data solutions raise business expectations for AI-driven insights.
🔹Where to Start with LLMs? – Safer applications likeinternal chatbots before tackling complex structured data analysis.
Timestamped Highlights
📌[00:00] – Introduction to Sasha Bartashnik & Vendelux’s role in event intelligence
📌[01:25] – Defining what a "data product" really means in the AI-driven era
📌[03:00] – Key challenges in building scalable data products
📌[06:45] – The impact of traditional data tools and their limitations
📌[07:54] – How LLMs accelerate development and improve AI-driven insights
📌[10:00] – Risks of LLMs: Accuracy concerns, hallucinations, and human oversight
📌[14:18] – The evolving role of data engineering teams with LLMs
📌[17:31] – Where should businesses start when implementing LLMs?
📌[22:00] – The responsibility of AI builders in ensuring data accuracy and transparency
📌[23:43] – How to connect with Sasha for more insights
Quote of the Episode
"LLMs are not a silver bullet. They don’t replace humans; they just shift where expertise is needed." –Sasha Bartashnik
Connect with Sasha
🔗 LinkedIn: Sasha Bartashnik
🎧Enjoyed this episode?
Subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone exploring LLMs in data products! 🚀
In this episode, we dive into the evolution of theChief Product and Technology Officer (CPTO) model, the blending of traditional engineering and product roles, and howAI, hackathons, and shifting org structures are reshaping product development. Arjun shares insights on what this means for engineers, product managers, and leadership teams, as well as the challenges of making this shift successful.
⏳ Timestamped Highlights
[00:00] Introduction
- Amir introduces Arjun Shah and sets the stage for discussing the CPTO model.
[00:01] The Traditional Product Development Model
- Breakdown of theclassic trifecta: product management, design, and engineering.
- How Agile shaped product teams over the last two decades.
[00:02] The Shift to a More Integrated Model
- Why companies are moving away from rigid role definitions.
- Engineers taking on user research, designers coding, and product managers prototyping.
[00:04] What is the CPTO Model?
- Defining theChief Product and Technology Officer role.
- Examples of companies making this shift.
- How CPTO improvesstrategy execution and alignment.
[00:06] The Impact on Engineers & ICs
- Engineers expected to care aboutbusiness outcomes, UX, and customer needs.
- Squadron model vs. Scrum model – how AI-driven teams are changing the landscape.
- New hiring criteria:product sense, entrepreneurial mindset, and data analytics.
[00:08] Measuring Success in the CPTO Model
- How do you know if the CPTO model is working?
- R&D metrics:velocity, alignment, and strategic impact.
[00:10] Hackathons: The Canary in the Coal Mine?
- The role of hackathons inbreaking down barriers between product and engineering.
- How great features and products have emerged from hackathons.
[00:14] AI’s Role in Accelerating the CPTO Model
- AI blurring functional lines and enablingfaster product iteration.
- Why "everyone is a developer" in the age ofLLMs and code generation tools.
[00:16] Risks & Failure Points of the CPTO Model
- The biggest challenge:finding the right leader for the CPTO role.
- Potential pitfalls:misalignment of product vs. engineering goals, poor org design.
- How tostructure squads and teams for success under a CPTO.
[00:19] The Right Person for the CPTO Role
- Do you need to be afounder to succeed as a CPTO?
- Why curiosity,cross-functional expertise, and product acumen are essential.
[00:22] Final Thoughts & How to Connect with Arjun
- Follow Arjun Shah on LinkedIn for more insights on product and engineering leadership.
🏆 Key Takeaways
💡The product and engineering roles are merging. Engineers today are expected to think like product managers, and PMs must understand technology.
🚀The CPTO model is gaining traction. Companies are moving away from separate CPO and CTO roles in favor of a unified leader todrive better alignment and execution.
⚡AI is changing product development. Large language models and AI-driven tools are enabling anyone to prototype, reducing barriers between roles.
🔎Finding the right CPTO is challenging. The role requiresbusiness acumen, technical expertise, and product strategy skills—a rare combination.
🎯Hackathons are an early signal. Engineers experimenting with new ideas and taking on product roles during hackathons may hint at the future of team structures.
🗣️ Quote of the Episode
“The new programming language is English. With AI, everyone can be a developer.” – Arjun Shah
🎧Enjoyed the episode?
✅ Subscribe for more insights on the evolving world of tech and product development.
💬 Share your thoughts in the comments or on social media!🔗
Connect with Arjun Shah on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunshah/.
In this episode, JD Williams joins Amir Bormand to dive into the critical role ofchange management in driving successful digital adoption. From leading with digital fluency to navigating organizational change for AI integration, JD shares actionable insights from his work at Zoetis.
Key Takeaways
- Digital Fluency Starts with People:
- Training needs to be role-specific and practical.
-
Peer-to-peer learning fosters deeper adoption across teams.
-
Change Management is a Team Effort:
- Success requires both top-down support and grassroots enthusiasm.
-
AI champions in different regions help scale efforts effectively.
-
Rethinking ROI in AI Adoption:
- Focus onhours gained rather than hours saved.
-
Establish CFO-certified metrics to measure value and demonstrate ROI.
-
Integrating Change Management Early:
- Include change management planning from the proof-of-concept stage.
-
Prioritize initiatives that are both technically and operationally feasible.
-
Storytelling is Key for Leadership:
- Data leaders must communicate AI's value across diverse business functions.
Timestamped Highlights
- [00:01:03] JD introduces Zoetis and its global role in animal health.
- [00:02:04] Defining digital fluency and how Zoetis integrates AI into workflows.
- [00:04:34] The three pillars of digital transformation: people, process, and technology.
- [00:06:14] Leveraging AI champions for grassroots adoption.
- [00:10:00] The importance of process mapping to identify change impacts.
- [00:14:53] Measuring AI’s ROI: hours gained, accelerated R&D timelines, and improved sales tools.
- [00:19:10] Injecting change management into strategy from the start.
- [00:21:38] How storytelling helps leadership align on AI's value.
Memorable Quote
"Change management isn't just a top-down directive; it's about enabling and empowering individuals across the organization to embrace and drive innovation." – JD Williams
Connect with JD Williams
LinkedIn: JD WilliamsFollow JD for insights on digital adoption, AI, and data-driven leadership.
In this episode ofThe Tech Trek, Amir Bormand sits down with Stephen Harris, former Corporate Vice President of Global Data Science and Growth Analytics at Microsoft. Steffen, a seasoned data executive with over 30 years of experience, shares insights into tackling foundational data issues, addressing data debt, and integrating advanced AI strategies. Together, they explore how businesses can move the needle on long-standing challenges and position themselves for sustainable growth in a data-driven world.
Key Takeaways
- Foundational Data Challenges: Many enterprises struggle with defining and managing core data assets such as customer and product data, often resulting in inefficiencies and missed opportunities.
- Data Debt: Short-term wins in data management can lead to long-term complications. Addressing data debt requires balancing immediate needs with sustainable strategies.
- AI as a Catalyst: Generative AI and machine learning can help identify gaps, streamline processes, and improve data quality, but they must align with business goals to maximize ROI.
- Parallel Solutions: Digital transformation and AI strategies should run on parallel tracks, emphasizing quick wins while developing a cohesive long-term roadmap.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Effective communication and tailored problem-solving are essential when advocating for foundational data investments to stakeholders.
Highlighted Timestamped Moments
- [00:00:21]: Introduction to foundational data issues and their role in enabling advanced technologies like generative AI.
- [00:02:05]: Steffen shares insights from his time at Wells Fargo and VMware, discussing challenges in mastering customer and product data.
- [00:09:29]: Exploring the concept of data debt and its implications for short-term wins versus long-term sustainability.
- [00:14:58]: Leveraging AI to assess and address foundational data gaps and enhance decision-making.
- [00:23:54]: The evolution of digital transformation and the rise of interconnected challenges like cybersecurity and cloud integration.
- [00:29:08]: Strategies for presenting long-term data solutions to stakeholders and prioritizing fixes for maximum business impact.
Quote of the Episode
"Stop, pause, reflect, and reimagine the opportunity. Quick wins today can fuel long-term strategies tomorrow." – Stephen Harris
Connect with Stephen Harris
- LinkedIn: Stephen Harris
In this episode, Amir Bormand is joined by Marty Kausas, Co-founder and CEO of Pylon, a groundbreaking customer support platform for B2B companies. Marty shares his journey of navigating "pivot hell," the challenges of ideation, finding the right co-founders, and understanding what it takes to build a billion-dollar company. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, this episode is packed with insights on creating, evolving, and scaling a tech startup.
Key Takeaways:
- The Ideation Journey: Startups often require multiple pivots before discovering a viable product-market fit.
- Co-founder Chemistry: Aligning goals, skillsets, and hustle is crucial for long-term success.
- Big Market Thinking: Even niche solutions can thrive when embedded in expansive markets.
- Unicorn Realities: Building a billion-dollar company demands focus, persistence, and adaptability.
- Founder Fitness: Maintaining personal resilience is as critical as business execution.
Timestamped Highlights:
- [00:00:00] Introduction to Marty Kausas and Pylon’s mission.
- [00:01:00] From Airbnb software engineer to entrepreneur: Marty’s background and startup motivation.
- [00:02:55] Lessons learned from early ideas and the struggles of healthcare and nonprofit markets.
- [00:05:12] Decoding product-market fit and total addressable market (TAM) for startup success.
- [00:06:31] The importance of choosing the right co-founders for adaptability and growth.
- [00:13:49] "Find a niche in a big market" – Balancing focus and scalability.
- [00:16:18] Insights into unicorn companies and the pressures of achieving high valuations.
- [00:23:26] How Marty decompresses and stays motivated amidst the demands of entrepreneurship.
- [00:26:00] How to connect with Marty and his final thoughts on startup growth.
Quote of the Episode:
"The worst-case scenario isn't failure—it's becoming a 'zombie company' that can't grow or sell. Momentum is everything." – Marty Kausas
Links and Resources:
- Connect with Marty on LinkedIn
- Email Marty at: marty@usepylon.com
- Learn more about Pylon: usepylon.com
Share the Knowledge:
If you found this episode insightful, share it with your network and tag us! Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. Let us know your thoughts and what topics you'd like to hear next.
In this episode, Tanaz Mody shares insights on the hiring struggles founders face as they scale their companies. We explore how founders navigate the decision-making process, overcome hiring hesitations, and transition from being hands-on operators to strategic leaders.
Key Topics:
✅ The weight of hiring decisions on founders
✅ How founders can avoid “decision paralysis” in hiring
✅ The evolution from founder to CEO
✅ The role of VC talent partners in scaling startups
✅ When (and why) founders should consider executive coaching
🎯 Key Takeaways
💡 Hiring Delays = Growth Delays
If a founder keeps postponing hiring, it could be a sign that they aren’t ready—or that they haven’t clearly defined what they need. Setting milestones helps avoid an endless search.
💡 Letting Go is Hard, But Necessary
Successful founders evolve their roles. Holding onto every function prevents company growth. Hiring isn’t just about filling a role—it’s about scaling leadership.
💡 Decisions Made Late Are Still Decisions
A decision avoided today can become a crisis tomorrow. Founders must recognize that delaying hiring (or any critical choice) will eventually force a decision under less favorable conditions.
💡 There’s No “One-Size-Fits-All” Playbook
Best practices are useful, but every startup is unique. Founders must build teams that align with their specific needs, not just industry templates.
💡 Coachability Matters
Some founders struggle with external advice. The key is finding the right voice that resonates and helps them pivot their perspective.
🕒 Timestamped Highlights
⏳ [00:01:00] – Introduction to Tanaz and her role at Lerer Hippeau
⏳ [00:02:30] – Why hiring is one of the hardest decisions for founders
⏳ [00:05:00] – The danger of founders being too involved in hiring
⏳ [00:08:30] – How delaying hiring can indicate deeper problems
⏳ [00:12:00] – The importance of outside coaching for founders
⏳ [00:16:00] – Trusting teams and evolving leadership skills
⏳ [00:20:00] – Why the “operator” mindset in people teams is changing
💬 Quote Worth Sharing
"Your company won’t grow if you don’t. If you’re still doing the same job as a founder that you did six months ago, you’re holding the business back." – Tanaz Mody
📢 Connect with Tanaz Mody
🔗 LinkedIn: Tanaz Mody
🎧 Enjoyed this episode?
Like, subscribe, and share with someone who needs to hear this! 🚀
In this insightful episode, James Evans dives into the unique challenges and growth opportunities for first-time founders. From building leadership styles to navigating tough decisions, James shares his journey and valuable lessons from leading CommandBar to its acquisition by Amplitude. If you're a tech enthusiast, startup founder, or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways!
Key Takeaways
Leadership Style Evolves Over Time:
As a first-time founder, leadership is a learning process; it’s okay to admit you’re still refining your style.
Authenticity is crucial—your actions must align with your leadership claims.
Decisions Matter, but Not All Are Equal:
Overthinking can paralyze growth. Some decisions, like choosing a CRM, don't need innovation—pick a functional solution and move forward.
Prioritize building a team culture that aligns with long-term company goals.
The Importance of Early Employees:
The first ten hires shape the company’s culture more than the founders. Be intentional about hiring individuals who embody the values you want to amplify.
Seek Advice From Experienced Founders:
Establish a network of mentors who are 1–2 steps ahead in their entrepreneurial journeys.
Tactical advice from seasoned founders can save you months (or years) of missteps.
Redefining Product-Market Fit:
True product-market fit feels effortless—customers want your product, not just your team or service.
Timestamped Highlights
[00:00:00] Introduction to James Evans and the topic of first-time founders.
[00:01:08] Defining and discovering leadership style as a founder.
[00:04:23] What candidates really look for in a founder's leadership style.
[00:06:38] Aligning leadership style with company culture.
[00:11:00] The impact of early employees on company culture and growth.
[00:16:00] Avoiding decision paralysis as a first-time founder.
[00:17:18] Finding and leveraging founder mentors.
[00:22:00] Product-market fit: Lessons and red flags for first-time founders.
Quote of the Episode
"As a startup, you should seek to innovate as little as possible—focus your creativity on what truly matters, like your product or distribution strategy." — James Evans
Connect with James Evans Podcast
LinkedIn: James Evans
X: @JamesEvans
Support The Tech Trek
If you enjoyed this episode:
Share it with friends or colleagues interested in startups and leadership.
Subscribe to The Tech Trek for more insightful conversations with tech leaders.
Leave a review and let us know your favorite takeaways!
In this inspiring episode, Amir Bormand chats with Matt Martin, Co-Founder of Clockwise. Matt shares his unique career trajectory, transitioning from being a lawyer to a self-taught software engineer, and ultimately, to a tech entrepreneur. They discuss the challenges, self-doubt, and triumphs of making a bold career pivot, as well as insights into the future of technology and software development. Whether you're contemplating a career change or simply curious about what it takes to thrive in the tech world, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways.
Key Takeaways:
- The Courage to Pivot: Matt discusses the fears and uncertainties of leaving a secure legal career to pursue his passion for technology.
- Building Skills from Scratch: The self-taught path is tough, but Matt explains how enthusiasm and resilience helped him break into the tech industry.
- Diverse Backgrounds in Tech: How Matt’s legal training provided him with a unique perspective as a leader in the tech world.
- Future of Coding: Thoughts on how large language models and automation tools could democratize software development.
- Startup Lessons: The value of scrappiness, enthusiasm, and hiring for potential over traditional qualifications.
Timestamped Highlights:
- [00:00:00] Introduction: Meet Matt Martin and his journey from lawyer to tech entrepreneur.
- [00:01:41] From Politics to Law: How Matt’s passion for public policy led him to law school.
- [00:04:21] The Big Decision: Why Matt chose to leave a secure legal career for the uncertain path of technology.
- [00:09:03] Early Challenges: Matt’s struggles to land his first tech job and the resilience it required.
- [00:13:00] Hiring Insights: How Matt’s non-traditional background influences his views on diversity in hiring.
- [00:18:00] The Role of AI in Coding: Matt’s perspective on how tools like LLMs are reshaping software development.
- [00:23:28] Legal Skills in Tech: The pros and cons of Matt’s legal training in his entrepreneurial journey.
- [00:26:09] Closing Thoughts: Matt’s advice for aspiring career changers and tech enthusiasts.
Featured Quote:
"The magic of large language models isn't just faster code completion; it's their ability to teach you along the way." – Matt Martin
Connect with Matt Martin:
- Email: matt@getclockwise.com
- LinkedIn: Matt Martin on LinkedIn
Call to Action:
If you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone exploring a career pivot or interested in technology. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave a comment with your thoughts!
In this episode of The Tech Trek, Amir Bormand sits down with Scott Peachey, Director of Data Governance and Oversight at Bread Financial, to explore the evolving world of data enablement. Together, they unpack how rebranding data governance can shift perceptions, make data accessible across organizations, and foster a culture of collaboration.
Scott shares his insights on tackling the challenges of data literacy, meeting business stakeholders where they are, and the importance of tailoring governance approaches to align with organizational goals. The conversation also delves into the intersection of advanced technologies like generative AI and governance, examining how businesses can adopt AI strategically without blindly following trends.
Key Takeaways
Data Enablement Redefined: Rebranding "data governance" to "data enablement" highlights its role in empowering organizations to use data effectively, not just managing compliance.
Meeting Stakeholders Where They Are: Effective data governance requires understanding the unique needs of each business line and tailoring solutions to fit their objectives.
Shifting Left: Engaging governance professionals early in the decision-making process helps prevent costly, reactive fixes and ensures alignment with business goals.
AI: A Hammer Searching for a Nail?: Many companies adopt AI without clear goals, risking wasted resources. Scott advocates for purposeful, strategic AI integration.
Governance as a Value Driver: Data governance should go beyond risk mitigation, enabling other teams to focus on their core work while maintaining efficiency and compliance.
Timestamped Highlights
[00:01:00] What is Data Enablement? Redefining governance for a modern era.
[00:03:00] Origins of Governance: From Enron to privacy-driven modern policies.
[00:06:00] Data Literacy Challenges: Bridging the gap with tailored governance approaches.
[00:08:52] Adapting Governance for Business Needs: Customizing solutions for different teams.
[00:11:00] The Future of Data Governance: Moving from reactive to proactive.
[00:21:41] AI Governance and Ethics: Why "keeping up with the Joneses" is not enough.
[00:27:00] Is AI Investment Worth It? Balancing ROI with ethical considerations.
Notable Quote
"Data governance professionals enable other data professionals to focus on their craft. Governance isn't about saying 'no'; it's about building the right framework to help businesses thrive."– Scott Peachey
Resources and Follow-Up
Connect with Scott Peachey on LinkedIn
Check out his podcast: Data with Peachey
Follow him on social media: Twitter/Instagram @TheScottPeachey
Join the Conversation
If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to The Tech Trek, leave a review, and share your thoughts on how data governance impacts your organization.
In this episode, Amir Bormand is joined by Vinod Ramachandran, CEO and Co-Founder of Big Sur AI, and Arnaud Weber, Co-Founder and CTO, to discuss how AI is reshaping the e-commerce landscape. The conversation explores AI-driven personalization, the future of dynamic online shopping experiences, and how smaller brands can compete with industry giants.
Key Takeaways
- AI as a Game-Changer for Smaller Brands:
- Smaller retailers can now leverage AI to create highly personalized and assistive shopping experiences, previously reserved for e-commerce giants.
-
AI reduces the reliance on high ad spends by optimizing conversion rates on retailers' websites.
-
Dynamic, Customized Shopping Journeys:
-
AI agents are enabling a shift from static to fully dynamic websites, tailoring the user experience for each individual shopper in real-time.
-
The Future of AI in Retail:
-
AI will soon extend across all retail functions, from marketing and inventory planning to in-store customer interactions, creating a seamless blend of online and offline experiences.
-
Addressing AI Challenges:
- Tackling issues like hallucinations in large language models through context validation and human oversight ensures accuracy and builds consumer trust.
Timestamps
- [00:00:00] Introduction to Guests and Topics
- [00:01:15] Big Sur AI’s Mission: Empowering Retailers Through AI
- [00:03:42] ChatGPT and Consumer Shopping Behavior: How Expectations Have Changed
- [00:07:00] Overcoming Conversion Challenges for Smaller Retailers
- [00:14:45] The Transition to Fully Dynamic Shopping Experiences
- [00:19:32] Future of Jobs: How AI Will Shape Retail Roles
- [00:23:50] Leveling the Playing Field: Small vs. Big Retailers
- [00:27:00] The Road Ahead for AI in E-Commerce: Multi-Modal Experiences
Featured Quote
"No two users should even be seeing the same website. AI agents can generate tailored content, creating a personalized shopping experience that feels as seamless as walking into a physical store." — Vinod Ramachandran
Call to Action
Enjoyed this episode? Share it with a friend in the tech or retail space and let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment or review. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and follow us for more insights on technology's impact on the business world.
In this episode, Amir Bormand is joined by Jake Peters, co-founder, CTO, and CPO of Fora, a modern travel agency platform. Together, they delve into the art of customer-centric engineering, the balance between business and technology, and how Fora is revolutionizing the travel industry. Jake shares his unique journey through tech, from 90s coding to leading dual roles in product and engineering, and the lessons he’s learned about prioritization, collaboration, and adaptability.
Key Takeaways:
Balancing Business and Technology: Jake explains the importance of focusing on business outcomes without losing sight of technical quality and long-term maintainability.
Reprioritization as a Strength: The ability to adapt priorities based on market needs, customer feedback, and internal goals is critical for success.
Customer-Centric Innovation: Building products that resonate with users involves active engagement, feedback loops, and iterative design.
Efficient Problem Solving: The balance between cutting corners and creating sustainable solutions is a cornerstone of engineering leadership.
The Emerging CTPO Role: Jake reflects on the evolving Chief Technology and Product Officer (CTPO) title and its potential scalability for startups and larger companies alike.
Timestamped Highlights:
[00:00:00] Introduction: Meet Jake Peters and learn about Fora’s vision.
[00:02:20] Jake’s Early Tech Journey: The 90s, Netscape, and learning the ropes of engineering and business.
[00:05:16] Engineering vs. Business: The constant tug-of-war between technical perfection and delivery speed.
[00:07:53] Common Pitfalls in Engineering: When and how to prioritize flexibility versus hard-coded solutions.
[00:12:22] Time-to-Market Challenges: Navigating product delivery within tight windows of opportunity.
[00:16:13] Starting with a Blank Page: How Fora ideates and designs new solutions.
[00:18:00] The CTPO Role: Balancing technical strategy and product innovation across multiple product lines.
[00:26:34] The Future of Engineering Leadership: Integrating business acumen into technical roles.
Memorable Quote:
"If you want to be an effective CTO, you cannot do that without a strong foundation in understanding where the business is." – Jake Peters
Contact Jake:
Learn more about Fora: Foratravel.com
Connect with Jake Peters: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakep/
Join the Conversation:
Enjoyed the episode? Share it with a colleague, leave a comment, or follow The Tech Trek for more insightful discussions on the intersection of technology and leadership.
In this episode, Amir Bormand interviews Curtis Northcutt, CEO and Co-Founder of CleanLab. Curtis shares his inspiring journey from humble beginnings in rural Kentucky to becoming a leader in AI innovation. He delves into his personal story, the principles that shaped him, and his thoughts on the role of technology in creating meaningful change. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in resilience, the future of AI, and the human side of innovation.
Key Takeaways:
The Power of Resilience and Opportunity: Curtis's story underscores how recognizing and seizing low-hanging fruit can lead to transformational opportunities—even when resources are scarce.
Balancing Technology with Humanity: Curtis emphasizes that while AI can solve problems, societal change begins with education, empathy, and better parenting.
Leadership Through Gratitude and Balance: As a CEO, Curtis integrates gratitude and balance into his leadership, fostering strong relationships with co-founders and driving innovation at CleanLab.
Bridging the Gap for Underrepresented Communities: Curtis advocates for leveraging technology to increase awareness and access to opportunities for individuals from overlooked backgrounds.
Timestamped Highlights:
[00:01:00] Curtis's journey from rural Kentucky to MIT and his reflections on overcoming economic adversity.
[00:06:33] Insights on the isolation of being a founder and the importance of empathy and gratitude in leadership.
[00:10:56] Foundational principles taught by his father: striving for excellence and leveraging small wins.
[00:14:57] How a cafeteria scholarship and perseverance led to pivotal opportunities at NASA, Vanderbilt, and MIT.
[00:23:00] Addressing awareness gaps: the critical role of education, technology, and grassroots efforts in empowering underprivileged communities.
[00:29:20] The influence of a passionate teacher who pushed Curtis to excel.
[00:32:00] Curtis’s philosophy as a co-founder: balancing ambitions and maintaining gratitude for his team.
Featured Quote:
"If you have nothing, go for the smallest, lowest-hanging fruit. With every step, you'll create opportunity for yourself—and that snowball effect can transform your life."— Curtis Northcutt
Call to Action: Enjoy this episode? Like, share, and subscribe to "The Tech Trek" podcast! Share Curtis’s inspiring story with someone who could benefit from it. Visit CleanLab.ai to learn more about how CleanLab is revolutionizing trust in AI systems.
In this episode of The Tech Trek, Amir Bormand sits down with Mayuresh Hajirnis, Director of Engineering at Altruist, to discuss his fascinating journey from QA to software engineering leadership. Mayuresh shares valuable lessons on bridging the gap between QA and engineering, creating a culture of quality, and how his background has shaped his leadership approach. Whether you're in QA, development, or aspiring to lead engineering teams, this episode offers actionable insights and inspiration.
Key Takeaways:
Crossing the Chasm Between QA and Engineering:
Transitioning from QA to engineering requires understanding the full software development lifecycle and contributing beyond immediate responsibilities.
Elevating QA as a First-Class Citizen:
Building a culture where quality assurance is integral to the development process leads to better products and streamlined collaboration.
Empowering Teams Through Collaboration:
Involving developers in QA processes and vice versa fosters mutual understanding and strengthens overall product quality.
Leadership Perspectives:
Experience in QA provides a holistic view that is invaluable in engineering leadership, emphasizing both quality and delivery.
Advice for Aspiring Engineers:
Maintain a deep understanding of code, participate in cross-functional reviews, and develop empathy for both internal and external stakeholders.
Timestamped Highlights:
[00:00:00] Introduction to Mayuresh and his role at Altruist.
[00:01:00] Mayuresh’s journey from software development to QA at Yahoo.
[00:02:53] Building automation frameworks and transitioning back into engineering.
[00:05:00] Challenges and opportunities in moving from QA to core engineering.
[00:07:00] Treating QA automation as a first-class citizen in software delivery.
[00:10:17] Bringing visibility and recognition to QA contributions.
[00:13:23] How QA experience influences engineering leadership.
[00:17:26] Advice for QA professionals aspiring to transition to engineering.
[00:21:17] The value of empathy in engineering leadership.
[00:23:46] How to connect with Mayuresh for advice and insights.
Quote of the Episode:
"Quality is everyone's responsibility. By treating QA as a first-class citizen in the development process, we not only ensure better products but also build a culture of confidence and collaboration." – Mayuresh Hajirnis
Call to Action:
If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with your network. Follow The Tech Trek for more inspiring conversations with leaders in technology!
About Our Guest:
Mayuresh Hajirnis brings a wealth of experience from QA and automation engineering to his current role as Director of Engineering at Altruist. He’s passionate about fostering collaboration and championing a culture of quality across development teams.
In this episode, host Amir Bormand interviews Jehangir Abdulla, Head of Back Office Development at Schoenfeld, to discuss his unique journey from being a startup founder back to taking on a leadership role within an enterprise. Jehangir shares the lessons learned from his entrepreneurial experience, how he retained a founder’s mindset in a corporate setting, and the challenges of balancing ambition with personal well-being.
Jehangir also provides insights into decision-making, navigating career transitions, and fostering a startup mentality within a large organization. This episode offers valuable takeaways for tech professionals, founders, and enterprise leaders looking to integrate entrepreneurial agility into established systems.
Key Takeaways:
- The Founder’s Mindset: How entrepreneurial experience shapes decision-making and resource optimization in a corporate environment.
- Balancing Ego and Well-being: Overcoming the stigma of stepping away from a startup to prioritize personal and family needs.
- Bringing Agility to Enterprises: Applying lessons from startups to foster faster decision-making and flexibility in large organizations.
- The Transition Back to Corporate Life: Addressing employer concerns about hiring former founders and the value of founder experiences in the enterprise world.
Timestamped Highlights:
00:00 – Introduction
- Overview of Jehangir’s background and career journey.
- Discussion of his transition from founder to enterprise leader.
01:25 – Founding a Startup
- Jehangir shares his experience starting Maryland, a hedge fund software company.
- The challenges and rewards of building a profitable startup.
04:00 – Decision to Return to Corporate
- Jehangir discusses the toll of entrepreneurship on personal life and mental well-being.
- The pivotal moment when he decided to rejoin the enterprise.
07:00 – Lessons from Startups Applied in Corporations
- Carrying a founder’s mindset into the enterprise.
- Decision-making and resource optimization influenced by entrepreneurial experience.
10:00 – Retaining Agility in a Corporate Setting
- Strategies for maintaining startup-style agility in a slow-moving enterprise environment.
- Encouraging teams to adopt a more entrepreneurial approach.
13:00 – Navigating Team Dynamics
- Building strong relationships with diverse teams and fostering independent decision-making.
- Empowering team members to grow through challenging tasks.
16:00 – Overcoming Ego and Embracing Transition
- Addressing fears about leaving a startup and the perceived stigma of returning to a job.
- The importance of being self-aware and honest about personal priorities.
18:00 – Advice for Founders Considering Corporate Roles
- Insights into how to position founder experience during job interviews.
- Communicating the value of entrepreneurial skills to potential employers.
Final Thoughts:
Jehangir’s story is a testament to the importance of self-awareness and adaptability in career transitions. His ability to leverage his entrepreneurial experience to add value in the enterprise world offers a compelling roadmap for professionals navigating similar paths. Whether you’re a founder, a corporate leader, or someone weighing career options, this episode is packed with actionable advice and inspiration.
Listen to the full episode to dive deeper into Jehangir's journey and lessons learned. Share with someone who might benefit from these insights!
In this episode, Amir sits down with Spencer Lourens, Chief Data Officer at CLA, to discuss the intersection of business strategy and data strategy. Spencer shares his insights on aligning organizational goals with data initiatives, understanding stakeholder priorities, and balancing short-term wins with long-term strategies. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone navigating the complex relationship between business needs and data-driven solutions.
Key Takeaways:
- Start with the Business Problem: Effective data strategies begin with understanding the core business problems and goals.
- Spend Time with Stakeholders: Building relationships and truly understanding stakeholder pain points are essential for creating impactful data solutions.
- Balance Effort and Impact: Prioritize initiatives based on their potential business value versus the effort required to execute them.
- Short-Term Wins vs. Long-Term Goals: Ensure that short-term solutions align with broader business strategies to avoid creating unnecessary technical or data debt.
- Transparency is Key: Sharing the "why" behind decisions fosters collaboration and alignment across teams.
Highlights:
- [00:01:00] Introduction to CLA and Spencer's RoleSpencer describes CLA's multifaceted professional services and his responsibilities as Chief Data Officer.
- [00:02:21] Listening for Pain Points and Visionary TriggersHow Spencer identifies key business challenges and stakeholder priorities during meetings.
- [00:05:11] Taking the Time to Understand ProblemsWhy building meaningful relationships and thoroughly understanding business issues leads to better solutions.
- [00:07:00] The Importance of a Proof-of-Concept PhaseSpencer highlights the value of small, exploratory projects in refining strategies and solutions.
- [00:10:00] Balancing Stakeholder ExpectationsStrategies for managing competing priorities and making tough decisions as a data leader.
- [00:15:26] Short-Term Wins vs. Long-Term SolutionsThe challenges of delivering quick results while staying aligned with long-term objectives.
- [00:20:00] Addressing Data Debt in the Age of AISpencer shares his perspective on tackling data debt and integrating AI into data strategies.
Closing Thoughts:
Spencer Lourens offers a grounded approach to aligning data and business strategies, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, transparency, and thoughtful decision-making. Whether you're a data professional, technology leader, or business strategist, this episode provides actionable insights to help you navigate the challenges of data-driven transformation.
Connect with Spencer: Reach out to Spencer on LinkedIn to continue the conversation or learn more about his work at CLA. https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-lourens-694568b0/
Like, share, and subscribe to "The Tech Trek" for more discussions with industry leaders.
In this podcast episode, Amir Bormand sits down with Jason Luce, CTO of Paperless Parts, to discuss the evolution from DevOps to platform engineering. They dive deep into the reasons behind this shift, the cultural and technical changes required, and how organizations can implement platform engineering to enhance developer experience and business outcomes.
Jason shares insights into the challenges and opportunities that come with adopting platform engineering, drawing from his experience leading the transformation at Paperless Parts. Whether you're leading a DevOps team or considering platform engineering for your organization, this episode is packed with practical advice and thought-provoking takeaways.
Key Takeaways:
- Platform Engineering vs. DevOps: Platform engineering builds on DevOps principles but focuses on productizing systems to streamline developer workflows and reduce cognitive load.
- The Role of Developer Experience: Improving developer experience is key to increasing productivity and morale while reducing inefficiencies.
- Adopting Big Tech Practices: Lessons from companies like Netflix and Spotify can inform smaller organizations, but they must adapt these practices to their own scale and needs.
- The Importance of Consistency: Standardized systems and processes are critical for ensuring security, observability, and operational efficiency.
- Vision and Communication: Clear goals, a detailed roadmap, and open communication are essential for successful transitions to platform engineering.
Timestamped Highlights:
- [00:01:00] Introduction to Jason Luce and Paperless Parts
- [00:03:00] What is Platform Engineering, and how does it differ from DevOps?
- [00:05:49] The skills gap: Moving from DevOps to platform engineering
- [00:07:58] The role of developer experience in platform engineering
- [00:10:17] Lessons from large-scale tech companies on platform adoption
- [00:14:42] Transitioning from a startup mindset to scalable engineering practices
- [00:18:09] What prompted Paperless Parts to embrace platform engineering?
- [00:20:47] Best practices and learnings from a year into the transition
- [00:23:14] The end goal: Building a scalable, efficient platform for the future
Jason also discusses the importance of balancing short-term sacrifices for long-term gains and why fostering a culture of collaboration and clarity is critical for success. Don't miss this episode if you're looking to understand how platform engineering can transform your organization!
Guest:
Jason Luce has a proven track record as a customer-centric technology executive with over twenty-five years of experience building products that drive business success. He spent the first half of his career as a hands-on engineer and grew into leadership roles as he discovered a love for developing talent. Jason is currently CTO at Paperless Parts.Jason has driven results through many phases of scale journeys from pre-revenue startups to high-growth VC-backed companies to global public companies. At the core of each of these journeys is his ability to build global teams, develop strong leaders, and lead highly efficient operations that enable the rapid delivery of large-scale SaaS products.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonrluce/
In this episode, Amir Bormand interviews Kevin Trilli, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Amount Financial, about balancing product and technology leadership. They explore the challenges and benefits of merging product and tech roles, managing technical debt, and aligning product vision with business goals. Kevin shares personal experiences, insights on engineering leadership, and the evolving impact of AI on product management.
Key Takeaways:
- Merging Product & Tech Leadership: Combining product and tech roles can streamline decision-making but requires balancing business goals with technical feasibility.
- Customer-Focused Development: Aligning engineering and product teams around customer success fosters collaborative problem-solving and better outcomes.
- Technical Debt Management: Managing tech debt involves allocating resources strategically, minimizing replatforming, and balancing short-term needs with long-term sustainability.
- AI's Role in Product Development: Understanding AI technologies is critical for product managers as AI-driven solutions reshape development processes.
Highlights:
01:25 - Combining Product and Tech Roles: Lessons from Leadership
03:45 - Engineering & Product Alignment for Customer Success
05:30 - Managing Feedback Loops Between Teams
09:10 - Balancing Business Goals and Technical Execution
12:55 - The Impact of AI on Product and Engineering Teams
18:20 - Navigating Technical Debt and Roadmap Trade-offs
24:50 - Making Long-Term Product and Tech Decisions
Tune in for a deep dive into product-tech leadership, engineering strategy, and practical advice on building high-performing tech organizations.
As Chief Product and Technology Officer at Amount, Kevin Trilli shapes the entire product and technology organization, crafting and executing the product vision, product and innovation strategy while overseeing software and technology development. With a history of global product and technology officer roles in venture-based SaaS companies, including fintechs Mambu and Onfido (acquired by Entrust), Kevin is instrumental in helping scaling companies to over $100M ARR.Trilli, a Sloan Fellow with an MS in Management from Stanford Graduate School of Business, also holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Illinois. His expertise extends to multifaceted growth, merging technical proficiency with executive leadership across almost a dozen unique product markets over his career. Kevin also advises and sits on the board for several companies in AI, Cleantech and financial technology.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/trilli/
In this engaging episode, Amir Bormand interviews Marko Vasiljevic, CTO at Ghost, about the evolving nature of data teams and how businesses can better structure them in a rapidly changing tech landscape. The discussion covers the shift toward more engineering-driven data teams, the influence of AI on team composition, and how businesses can adapt to remain competitive. Marko also highlights the future of self-service data solutions and the decreasing technical barriers for companies of all sizes.
Key Takeaways:
- Redefining Data Teams: The need for more engineering-driven data teams as traditional data roles evolve into more technical, systems-oriented functions.
- Data as a Product: Viewing data teams as creators of products that support business insights, moving beyond traditional data reporting.
- Self-Service Analytics: How businesses can build infrastructure that empowers teams with on-demand data access while reducing reliance on specialized data analysts.
- AI-Driven Change: The growing influence of AI in automating technical tasks and shifting the focus toward business-driven problem-solving.
- Future of Data Roles: The potential merging of technical and business roles as AI-driven automation reduces the need for deep technical expertise.
Episode Highlights:
- [00:00] Introduction – Overview of the episode and guest introduction.
- [01:24] Defining Data Teams – How the traditional data team model is evolving.
- [03:42] Building Self-Service Data Systems – The path toward more accessible and scalable analytics.
- [06:05] DevOps for Data Analytics – Applying DevOps principles to data team operations.
- [09:48] Evolving Data Skillsets – Shifting from SQL-heavy roles to full-stack data engineering.
- [13:53] AI’s Role in Data Teams – How AI will reshape data and software engineering functions.
- [17:29] Business-Driven Data Models – Encouraging product managers to lead tech initiatives.
- [21:55] Organizational Impacts – Where technical data roles should report in a modern organization.
- [28:33] Competitive Pressures – How automation lowers entry barriers and intensifies market competition.
Don't miss Marko’s valuable insights on building future-proof data teams and staying ahead in an AI-driven world. Like, share, and subscribe for more expert discussions!
Guest:
Marko is a seasoned technologist and CTO who's built and managed engineering, data, product, and design teams at several high-growth startups and unicorns. Marko also founded a few startups and successfully exited one. He's passionate about solving real-world problems with technology, and he is excited about the future of AI.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marmarko/
In this episode, Amir Bormand interviews Urvish Parikh, Co-Founder and CTO of Nirvana, to explore how machine learning is transforming the healthcare insurance landscape. Urvish discusses the challenges of working with legacy standards from the 1980s, how Nirvana addresses cost transparency issues, and the social responsibility of improving healthcare systems. Listeners will gain insights into integrating modern technology with entrenched systems and how Nirvana is making healthcare transactions more accessible and efficient.
Key Takeaways:
-
Legacy Standards Are a Double-Edged Sword
- The healthcare industry relies on outdated 1980s standards for transactions, creating inefficiencies but also providing a foundation to build upon.
-
The Role of Machine Learning in Healthcare
-
Nirvana uses machine learning to recompose scattered data, improving cost transparency and operational efficiency for billing teams.
-
Cost Transparency Is Essential for Access
-
Lack of transparency in healthcare costs creates financial strain and uncertainty for patients. Nirvana tackles this by increasing visibility into healthcare transactions.
-
Social Responsibility in Innovation
-
Urvish emphasizes the need to "tend to the system" by creating solutions that not only meet business needs but also address societal challenges.
-
Feedback Loops Drive Better Machine Learning
-
By engaging users in the process, Nirvana collects valuable data to improve and refine its models.
Timestamped Highlights:
- 00:56 – The Mission of Nirvana: How Nirvana simplifies healthcare transactions to enhance cost transparency.
- 03:00 – Challenges of Legacy Standards: Why healthcare is still using 1980s-era systems and how Nirvana addresses this issue.
- 05:00 – Leveraging Machine Learning: How Nirvana uses AI to process and standardize healthcare data for better usability.
- 08:00 – Operationalizing Complexity: Making the healthcare system simpler for billing teams and patients.
- 10:00 – Social Responsibility in Healthcare Innovation: The broader mission of tending to a system that serves millions of people.
- 12:00 – Competing Incentives in Healthcare: Why some legacy organizations are slow to innovate.
- 15:00 – Adoption Challenges: How Nirvana ensures adoption by focusing on user-friendly workflows and specialization.
- 18:00 – Change Management and AI: The importance of addressing human factors when introducing new technology.
- 20:00 – Looking Ahead: Nirvana’s vision for increasing cost transparency and improving healthcare systems.
Memorable Quote:
"Healthcare transactions rely on a 1980s standard, but with machine learning, we can make that old foundation work better for today’s needs." – Urvish Parikh
This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of technology, healthcare, and social impact. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share!
Guest:
Urvish Parikh is a Cofounder and CTO of Nirvana, a healthtech company committed to simplifying the healthcare ecosystem by making cost for care more transparent and accessible. With over a decade of experience in software engineering and leadership, Urvish brings deep expertise in systems thinking and strategic innovation, driving meaningful changes that enhance outcomes across complex systems.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/urvish-parikh-1534442a/
In this episode, Michael Hudes discusses the evolving landscape of advertising and media, focusing on how connected screens are reshaping consumer engagement. He explores how LG Ad Solutions leverages data, personalization, and advanced technologies to redefine advertising on connected TVs and other screens. The conversation covers key innovations in the connected TV ecosystem, privacy considerations, and the future potential of AI-driven advertising.
Key Takeaways:
- The New Definition of TV: The term "TV" has evolved into "screens connected to the internet," with viewing habits now revolving around streaming and interactive experiences.
- Bespoke Consumer Experiences: LG Ad Solutions creates tailored consumer interactions through its ecosystem of connected screens, from home TVs to in-car displays and hospitality settings.
- Data-Driven Personalization: While maintaining strong privacy compliance, LG uses first-party data and machine learning to create more relevant and engaging advertising experiences.
- Tech-First Business Model: LG Ad Solutions has evolved into a technology-driven platform business, using AI to optimize its advertising operations and content delivery.
Episode Highlights:
00:00 - Introduction: Michael Hudes joins the show to talk about the future of media and advertising.
01:00 - Redefining Television: The shift from TV as a playback device to a connected screen for video, content, and more.
03:30 - Connected Screens Beyond TV: Opportunities in connected appliances, hotel rooms, and in-car displays.
07:15 - Privacy and Data Use: How LG balances personalization with strict privacy compliance.
10:50 - Personalized User Experiences: Examples of reducing friction through smart, connected experiences.
15:00 - Future of Advertising: How AI and machine learning will play a critical role in optimizing both consumer-facing and operational processes.
20:45 - Becoming a Platform Business: LG's transformation into a platform-driven company focused on connected experiences.
23:00 - Final Thoughts: Michael Hudes shares insights on industry trends, future growth, and building a responsible, tech-driven business.
Listen Now: Discover how LG Ad Solutions is shaping the future of advertising and consumer engagement through connected screens, cutting-edge tech, and responsible data use.
Guest: Andrew Bihl, Co-Founder & CTO at Numeric
Overview:
In this episode, Andrew Bihl discusses how engineering teams can better integrate customer feedback into their development processes. He explores the concept of product engineering, the challenges of context switching, and how engineers can stay close to the customer while maintaining productivity. This episode is essential for tech leaders looking to create a culture where engineers are empowered to solve real customer problems.
Key Takeaways:
-
Customer Proximity Matters:
- Engineers should be directly exposed to customers to better understand product requirements and make informed decisions.
- Avoiding multiple layers between engineers and customers reduces miscommunication and lost context.
-
Context Switching is Costly:
-
Interruptions during deep work can derail productivity.
- Effective scheduling and batching of meetings minimize disruptions and maximize focus time for engineers.
-
Product Engineers Build with Ownership:
-
Product engineers should be involved from problem definition to implementation.
- Empowering engineers with context improves their ability to make real-time product decisions.
-
Balancing Business Needs with Engineering Focus:
-
Organizations should facilitate a balance between business engagement and technical execution.
- Cross-functional collaboration through structured processes prevents common bottlenecks.
Highlights:
[00:02:26] Defining the Role of a Product Engineer
[00:03:44] How Customer Feedback Typically Reaches Engineers
[00:05:04] Importance of Engineers Talking Directly to Customers
[00:06:54] Breaking the "Engineers Just Want to Code" Stereotype
[00:08:28] Challenges of Context Switching in Engineering
[00:13:24] Translating Engineering Work to Non-Technical Teams
[00:15:55] Effective Collaboration Between Product Managers and Engineers
[00:17:55] Real-World Example: How Numeric Handles Customer Feedback
[00:20:42] Adjusting the Product Roadmap Based on Customer Insights
[00:24:28] Managing Multiple Roles as a CTO
Final Thought:
Empowering engineers with a deep understanding of customer needs leads to better product development and more fulfilling careers. If you’re looking to refine your product development process and improve customer-driven engineering, this episode is packed with actionable insights.
Like, share, and subscribe to stay updated on future episodes exploring leadership, product innovation, and engineering excellence.
In this insightful episode, Amir Bormand speaks with Peter Swartz, Altana's Chief Science Officer and Co-Founder, about using data science and machine learning to revolutionize global supply chain management. Peter discusses his journey from quantitative political science and civil engineering to becoming a leader in AI-driven supply chain solutions. He highlights the importance of domain expertise, data-driven decision-making, and leadership growth in scaling impactful technology.
Key Takeaways:
- Cross-Disciplinary Expertise Fuels Innovation:
-
Peter’s diverse background in civil engineering and political science uniquely positioned him to tackle complex global supply chain challenges with data science and AI.
-
The Value of Domain-Specific Knowledge:
-
Understanding the global supply chain domain deeply enhances AI application effectiveness by allowing more accurate data modeling and meaningful insights.
-
Leadership Through Continuous Learning:
-
Transitioning from a technical role to a leadership position requires embracing feedback, learning from peers, and being open to evolving skill sets.
-
Building Data-Powered Systems:
-
Altana’s mission is to create a global value chain management system that maps billions of data points across supply chains to enable better decision-making at scale.
-
Balancing Technical and Business Leadership:
- Peter shares his experience of balancing technical product development with business leadership responsibilities to drive business success.
Episode Highlights:
- [00:02:30] Blending Civil Engineering with Data Science
- [00:05:00] Founding Altana: The Why and How
- [00:08:00] Applying AI to Real-World Supply Chain Problems
- [00:12:00] Developing Scalable Data-Driven Solutions
- [00:16:00] Transitioning into Leadership and Management
- [00:20:00] Importance of Mentorship and Feedback
- [00:24:00] Leadership Lessons for Technical Founders
- [00:28:00] How to Stay Passionate and Focused
Connect with Peter Swartz:
- Website: Altana.ai
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pgswartz
Don't Miss: If you're passionate about AI, data-driven decision-making, and leadership growth, this episode is a must-listen. Share with your network, like, and subscribe for more in-depth conversations on tech and leadership.
In this episode, Greg Hahn, a data strategy and governance leader, shares deep insights on building a robust data strategy, navigating AI readiness, and the growing impact of privacy laws. The discussion covers essential pillars of data management, aligning business objectives with data strategy, and how organizations can future-proof themselves through proactive governance.
Key Takeaways:
- Data Strategy & Maturity: Build an enterprise-wide strategy aligned with business goals for long-term success.
- Governance Frameworks: Adopt proven frameworks like DMBoK to streamline governance and boost data quality.
- AI Readiness: Ensure data integrity, strong infrastructure, and empowered teams before scaling AI initiatives.
- Privacy Compliance: Embrace evolving privacy laws as opportunities to strengthen trust and operational transparency.
Highlights:
- 01:00 Understanding Data Strategy & Maturity Curve
- 03:00 The Importance of Foundational Data Elements
- 05:00 Leveraging Frameworks for Quick Data Strategy Assessment
- 09:00 AI Readiness and Data Management Challenges
- 13:00 Data Literacy and Workforce Enablement
- 16:00 Governance, Security & Data Integrity
- 19:00 Navigating Privacy Laws and Regulatory Compliance
- 23:00 The Future of Data-Driven Decision-Making
Listen Now: Discover actionable strategies for transforming data into a competitive advantage through enterprise-wide governance, AI readiness, and compliance excellence. Share this episode with data leaders ready to enhance their data strategies.
,In this episode, Amir hosts Steve Van Lare, VP of Engineering at Anjuna Security, for an insightful discussion on hiring external technology leaders. They explore when and why companies might look outside their organization for tech leadership, how to manage internal dynamics and strategies for smooth transitions.
Steve shares real-world experiences and actionable advice on assessing leadership fit, fostering team cohesion, and navigating leadership changes. Whether you’re a tech leader, HR professional, or founder, this episode delivers essential insights for building a resilient and adaptable organization.
Episode Highlights:
01:55 When to Hire an Outside Technology Leader
03:39 Internal Implications of Hiring Externally
05:16 Handling Internal Friction
09:15 Leadership Style and Organizational Change
11:26 Evaluating the Need for New Leadership
18:27 Ensuring a Good Fit for New Leaders
22:36 Career Growth and Opportunities
Key Takeaways:
- When to Hire an Outside Technology Leader
Consider external hires when scaling quickly, transforming, or addressing knowledge gaps.
- Managing Internal Implications
Be transparent about the decision.
Communicate the value of new leadership to the team.
- Handling Internal Friction
Acknowledge concerns from internal staff.
Build trust through consistent communication and team alignment.
- Assessing Leadership Fit
Evaluate leadership style, technical expertise, and cultural alignment.
Focus on both business and technical problem-solving capabilities.
- Career Growth and Long-Term Opportunities
Help team members see new leadership as a growth opportunity.
Encourage collaboration between new and existing leaders for a seamless transition.
Gain valuable insights on hiring external tech leaders and fostering leadership resilience. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with your network! 🚀
In this episode, host Amir sits down with Amit Sahani, Global Head of Data at StoneX, to delve into data leadership's practical and strategic aspects. Amit shares invaluable insights on building robust data solutions, tackling data quality challenges, and fostering alignment between data engineering and business objectives.
Listeners will gain practical advice on the importance of data governance, leveraging technological advancements like cloud computing, and incorporating feedback loops to drive continuous improvement. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to bridge the gap between data and business.
Highlights
00:56 – Grounded Leadership in Data
Amit shares his philosophy on leadership and its role in successfully implementing data-driven solutions.
02:30 – Challenges in Delivering Business Solutions
Insight into the common hurdles organizations face when aligning data initiatives with business needs.
04:57 – Garbage In, Garbage Out
A deep dive into the critical issue of data quality and its impact on achieving high-fidelity business delivery.
10:00 – Adoption and Feedback Loops
Why continuous feedback loops are essential for improving data solutions and driving adoption across teams.
13:35 – Investment in Data Quality and Governance
Exploring the importance of prioritizing data governance to create a strong foundation for successful data strategies.
22:15 – The Role of Technology in Data Solutions
How advancements like cloud computing are shaping the future of data engineering and management.
Key Takeaways
-
Data Quality is Everything: Poor data leads to poor outcomes. Investing in data quality is a non-negotiable for success.
-
Feedback Loops Drive Improvement: Continuous feedback ensures that data solutions remain relevant and effective.
-
Governance is Critical: Establishing strong data governance practices enables scalability and compliance.
-
Technology is an Enabler: Leveraging tools like cloud computing enhances efficiency and flexibility in data solutions.
-
Alignment is Key: Successful data solutions bridge the gap between engineering capabilities and busi
Guest:
Amit Sahani is the Global Head of Data at StoneX, with nearly two decades of experience in business transformation, cloud adoption, and international expansion across the US, South America, EMEA, and India. At StoneX, he has built a global data team, launched an in-house data aggregator, and established a market data services group, positioning data as central to the company’s digital transformation. With expertise in regulated industries and global operations, Amit drives transformative change through empathy, strategic insight, and a sharp focus on business outcomes, effectively engaging stakeholders at all levels.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asahani/
Liked this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with your network! For more insights, follow The Tech Trek.
In this episode of The Tech Trek, host Amir sits down with Shawn Stewart, VP of Engineering at Apartment List, to unpack the complex dynamics between individual contributors (ICs) and managers. Shawn offers a deep dive into career progression, fostering growth, and building aligned high-performing teams.
This episode is packed with actionable insights for ICs and managers striving to improve their professional relationships, promote effectively, and maintain team cohesion.
Episode Highlights:
- Understanding Manager-IC Dynamics (00:10) Shawn explains the nuances of the relationship between ICs and managers, highlighting mutual responsibilities for growth and success.
- Career Progression and Managerial Roles (01:41) Managers play a crucial role in shaping the career paths of their team members. Shawn delves into how managers can act as career enablers, providing guidance, feedback, and opportunities.
- Challenges in Manager-IC Relationships (03:59) Navigating conflicts, differing goals, and maintaining alignment between ICs and managers is key to a harmonious workplace.
- Importance of Calibration and Objective Evaluations (10:45) Shawn emphasizes the need for managers to calibrate team performance and conduct objective evaluations to avoid bias and ensure fairness.
- Promotion and Growth Strategies (16:52) Shawn shares strategies for promoting ICs effectively and highlights the importance of setting clear growth paths and expectations.
- Actionable Advice for Managers and ICs (20:58) Practical tips for managers to build trust and lead with empathy, and for ICs to communicate effectively and take ownership of their growth.
Key Takeaways:
- Manager-IC Relationships Are a Two-Way Street Both parties must invest in understanding, trust, and open communication to thrive.
- Managers Are Career Enablers Their primary role is to align team goals with individual aspirations while providing mentorship and support.
- Calibration Ensures Objectivity Regular alignment on evaluations helps maintain fairness and prevents biases in promotions and feedback.
- Career Growth Requires Deliberate Effort Both ICs and managers must plan and execute career development strategies actively.
Tune in to hear Shawn’s expert insights and practical advice for navigating the challenges of the modern workplace. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with your network!
Shawn Stewart is a seasoned software engineer and entrepreneur with a track record of innovation and success. He began his career running his own software business and contributing to multiple startups with successful exits. As a software engineer at Sportline.com, later acquired by CBS to become CBSSports.com, Shawn earned over 15 software patents and contributed to major platforms like NFL.com, MLB.com, and the Emmy-winning March Madness on Demand. He has since led critical development initiatives at Fidelity Investments, LinkedIn, Ultimate Software, and Gusto. Currently, Shawn leads engineering at Apartment List, leveraging machine learning and generative AI to revolutionize the renter experience.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irietek/
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.
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Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?
Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
In this episode of The Tech Trek, Amir Bormand is joined by Neil Bhandar, VP of IT Enterprise Data Analytics and Innovation at Generac Power Systems, to discuss the evolving role of data in business strategy and decision-making. Neil shares his insights on aligning technical capabilities with strategic goals, reducing the "cost of curiosity," and the transformative power of generative AI.
Key Discussion Points:
- Aligning Business Strategy with Technical Capabilities:
Neil emphasizes ensuring technical capabilities align with business goals, enabling organizations to create meaningful value. - The Role of Data in Decision-Making:
Data’s ability to maintain a balanced perspective is crucial for making informed, strategic business decisions, especially in dynamic environments. - Generative AI and Business Transformation:
Neil explores how generative AI reshapes industries and why business leaders must develop a deeper understanding of its potential to stay competitive. - Reducing the "Cost of Curiosity":
Learn how organizations can make exploring insights easier and more affordable, fostering innovation without escalating costs. - Future of Data Technology
Neil discusses where data technology is headed, including its pivotal role in corporate strategy and innovation.
Takeaways:
This episode offers actionable insights for data leaders and executives looking to:
- Foster alignment between strategy and technology.
- Embrace AI as a competitive differentiator.
- Build data-driven cultures that empower informed decision-making.
- Drive innovation while managing operational costs effectively.
Tune in to hear Neil's expert perspectives and practical advice for navigating the ever-evolving data and technology landscape.
Guest:
Neil Bhandar is the Vice President of IT Enterprise Data Analytics and Innovation at Generac Power Systems. With over two decades of experience in data analytics, business intelligence, and IT strategy, Neil specializes in transforming technical capabilities into strategic business outcomes. He has a proven track record of driving innovation, optimizing operational processes, and leading cross-functional teams to harness the power of data in decision-making. Neil is passionate about aligning technology with business goals to foster growth and efficiency, making him a respected leader in enterprise data analytics.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/NeilBhandar/
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.
Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.com
Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?
Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
In this episode, Amir sits down with Jim Olsen, CTO of ModelOp, to explore the essential role of AI governance in today's organizations. Jim shares practical insights into managing foundational models, emphasizing their impact on regulatory compliance, business performance, and innovation.
The conversation delves into the distinct challenges of implementing AI solutions, how governance aligns AI with business objectives, and the critical role of regulations. Learn how to navigate this evolving field and position AI as a strategic enabler for your organization.
What you'll learn:
- Understanding AI governance:
Why it’s critical for managing risks, ensuring compliance, and aligning AI with business goals. - Building an AI model inventory:
The first step in AI governance—tracking and maintaining an inventory of all AI models to enable better control and oversight. - Managing the lifecycle of AI models:
From design to retirement—how to ensure models stay effective, compliant, and valuable throughout their lifecycle. - The business case for governance:
How strong governance practices support performance metrics, innovation, and long-term ROI.
Highlights:
- 01:20 The unique challenges of implementing foundational AI models
- 04:07 Defining the framework for AI governance
- 07:09 Why governance is essential for risk management and compliance
- 14:14 Measuring the performance and ROI of AI solutions
- 19:19 Practical examples of AI governance in action
- 21:48 What the future holds for AI governance
This episode is packed with actionable advice to help business leaders and technologists navigate the complexities of AI governance. Tune in to learn how to make AI work smarter for your organization.
Guest:
Jim Olsen is the Chief Technology Officer at ModelOp, where he leads the design and development of ModelOp Center, a cutting-edge product for AI Governance. With over 40 years of experience in software across a wide range of industries, Jim brings a wealth of expertise to his role. Currently, he works remotely from his off-grid cabin in Colorado, exemplifying his unique approach to innovation and technology leadership.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimolsen/
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.
Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.com
Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?
Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
In this episode of The Tech Trek, host Amir Bormand talks with Ken Kao, VP of Engineering at Rad AI, about the evolving role of engineers in driving business innovation. They explore how tech differentiation can give companies a competitive edge and how engineers can act as problem solvers and creative artists beyond just writing code.
Key Takeaways:
Tech Differentiation for Competitive Edge: Learn how technology-driven innovation can set companies apart.
Engineers as Artists and Problem Solvers: Engineers can move beyond code by creatively solving business problems.
Shifting Engineers Left: Involve engineers earlier in the business process to unlock more strategic value.
Business-Driven Tech Conversations: Bridge the gap between tech and business by fostering mutual understanding.
Future Engineering Skills: Develop critical thinking, business awareness, and adaptability to stay competitive in tech.
Episode Highlights:
01:40 - The Role of Engineering in Company Differentiation
02:42 - Real-World Examples of Tech Differentiation
06:50 - The Dynamic Nature of Tech-Driven Innovation
09:37 - Empowering Engineers for Business Impact
10:39 - Shifting Engineers Left in Business Discussions
11:47 - Competitive Edge Through Generative AI
12:47 - The Evolving Role of Software Engineers
13:19 - Engineers as Problem Solvers
14:38 - Engineers as Creative Artists Beyond Coding
16:54 - Bridging the Gap Between Tech and Business
17:43 - Future-Ready Skills for Engineers
20:40 - Automation and the Future of Engineering
Listen now for expert advice on fostering tech innovation, empowering engineers, and driving business growth through strategic tech leadership!
Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
Guest: Jordan Kaye, Head of Technology at Belvedere Trading
Episode Summary:
In this episode, Jordan Kaye redefines technical debt through a practical lens, emphasizing the importance of conscious decision-making and its impact on engineering velocity, quality, and business outcomes. He explains how technical debt should be approached like financial debt—intentionally incurred with clear trade-offs. Jordan also shares strategies for balancing agility and long-term system stability, offering actionable advice for tech leaders and engineering teams navigating high-impact projects.
Key Takeaways:
- Redefining Tech Debt: Tech debt isn’t just “bad code” — it’s a conscious decision made to accelerate progress while accepting future challenges.
- Quantifying Debt: Use tools like issue boards to track, visualize, and manage tech debt over time.
- Business-Driven Engineering: Tech teams should align with business goals to ensure solutions drive meaningful outcomes.
- Balancing Quality and Speed: Prioritize flexibility over perfection, focusing on scalable and maintainable systems.
- Avoiding Premature Problem-Solving: Use "just-in-time scoping" to prevent wasted work and maintain agility.
Episode Highlights:
01:00 - Redefining Tech Debt as a Conscious Decision
03:45 - How to Quantify and Manage Tech Debt
07:10 - Business Context and Engineering Trade-Offs
10:50 - When Legacy Code Is Not a Problem
13:15 - Organizational Buy-In for System Maintenance
16:50 - Quality vs. Velocity: Finding the Right Balance
18:30 - Building Agile and Flexible Engineering Systems
22:00 - Avoiding Premature Problem-Solving through Just-in-Time Scoping
Connect with Jordan Kaye:
- LinkedIn: Jordan Kaye on LinkedIn
- Personal Website: jordankaye.dev
Listen, learn, and redefine how your engineering team approaches tech debt! Share this episode with tech leaders and developers ready to rethink their approach. 🚀
Episode Overview:
In this episode, Amir Bormand sits down with Amnon Mishor, CTO of Gynger, to discuss startup resilience, founder mindset, and navigating tough economic times. Drawing from his experience building multiple startups during challenging market conditions, Amnon shares actionable insights on responsible growth, managing existential risks, and staying focused on core business goals.
Key Takeaways:
1. Redefining Resilience in Startups
Resilience isn’t about merely surviving tough times; it’s about positioning the company for long-term success.
The most successful companies have faced existential crises but persevered by adapting.
2. Founders’ Mindset During Tough Times
Founders must focus on what they can control, ignoring unpredictable macroeconomic shifts.
Avoid betting on the market or altering the company’s mission based on fleeting economic trends.
3. Responsible Growth vs. Rapid Expansion
Growth must be deliberate and grounded in clear, data-driven metrics.
Avoid hiring too quickly or building unnecessary features based on external pressures.
Always evaluate ROI on new product features and hiring decisions.
4. Navigating Investor Challenges
Finding the right investors who align with long-term goals is critical, even when funding is scarce.
Be ready to walk away from unfavorable deals to maintain strategic focus.
5. Managing Risks and Staying Focused
Founders often face the temptation to diversify products prematurely, risking dilution of the company’s core mission.
Focus on the startup’s superpower, avoiding the pitfalls of overextension.
Episode Highlights:
01:12 What Gynger Does: Embedded Financing for Tech Purchases
03:00 Defining Resilience Beyond Just Survival
04:23 Challenges of Building Startups During Market Downturns
06:38 Importance of Finding the Right Investors
10:45 Balancing Responsible Growth with Market Pressures
14:28 Avoiding the Trap of Overexpansion and Product Dilution
18:33 Why Startups Need to Stay Lean and Focused
20:29 Defining Responsible Growth in Practical Terms
25:55 Core Lessons from Founding Two Startups
Final Thoughts:
Amnon emphasizes that while founders can’t control market dynamics, they can build resilient companies through strategic decision-making, responsible growth, and unwavering focus. His experience in building startups during difficult economic periods offers valuable lessons for founders, investors, and tech leaders alike.
Connect with Amnon:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amnonmishor/
Email: amnon@gynger.io
Subscribe & Share:
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Join us for a deep dive into career progression in tech with Anant Gupta, SVP of Engineering and Data Science at Included Health. This episode explores the skills, decisions, and reflections that shape a fulfilling career in technology.
Anant shares lessons from his journey through senior engineering roles and leadership positions at companies like LinkedIn and Uber, offering practical advice on balancing technical mastery with leadership ambitions. Whether you're navigating transitions or striving for career happiness, this conversation provides actionable insights for every tech professional.
Episode Highlights
- The Chef Analogy for Career Growth (02:33) Anant explains how career progression is like becoming a great chef—mastery comes from honing your craft, not just moving up the ladder.
- Skills Beyond Engineering (03:45) Essential skills such as coaching, mentoring, and communication are crucial for leaders, extending beyond technical expertise.
- Transitioning to Leadership Roles (05:22) Discover the nuances of moving from IC to management and the importance of helping teams succeed.
- Finding Fulfillment (15:49) Insights on finding joy in your chosen career path and focusing on impact over titles.
Key Takeaways
- Hone Your Craft: Focus on building deep expertise in your area, whether technical or managerial. Excellence is the foundation for growth.
- Leadership Is About Others: Effective leaders focus on enabling their teams, creating a shared vision, and coaching for success.
- Pursue Skills, Not Titles: Career happiness often comes from skill mastery and meaningful work, rather than chasing hierarchical promotions.
- Reflect Often: Regularly assess where you find joy and impact, ensuring your career aligns with your values and goals.
Guest:
Anant Gupta is the SVP of Engineering and Data Science at Included Health, leading technology initiatives to redefine healthcare. Anant believes in the transformative power of technology to fundamentally alter how we live and interact with the world around us. He oversees initiatives that harness AI, comprehensive data platforms, and consumer technology to make healthcare more predictive, personalized, and accessible—aligning with the company's vision of personalized, all-in-one healthcare.Before joining Included Health, Anant held significant roles at pre-IPO giants such as Uber and LinkedIn, managing large, multidisciplinary teams. His leadership is characterized by a commitment to leveraging technology for impactful solutions and a dedication to team development. By fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence, Anant consistently drives substantial innovations, reinforcing his commitment to transforming how we experience and benefit from advanced technology.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anantgupta1/
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.
Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.com
Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?
Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
In this episode of The Tech Trek, host Amir Bormand sits down with Ron Williams, founder and CEO of Kindle, to explore the evolving world of AI models and their business implications. The conversation dives into how companies can securely leverage AI, the emerging risks tied to AI adoption, and the shift from cloud-centric models to AI-driven infrastructures. Ron shares valuable insights on managing these challenges while maximizing the potential of generative AI.
Key Takeaways:
- AI as a "Smart Intern":
- AI models are more than tools—they’re like smart interns who learn, adapt, and act on data.
-
Companies must be cautious about the risks of exposing data and intellectual property to AI systems.
-
Data Security in the AI Era:
- AI presents risks beyond traditional data breaches as it learns and retains insights from sensitive information.
-
Organizations must rethink their security policies to address these new vulnerabilities.
-
The Future of SaaS and AI:
- AI is reshaping software workflows, potentially reducing reliance on traditional SaaS platforms.
-
Companies must prepare for a shift toward personalized AI models that improve operational efficiency.
-
Ownership of AI Models:
- Businesses need to invest in their own AI models rather than relying solely on third-party solutions.
- Owning AI models ensures control over future capabilities and reduces dependency risks.
Highlights:
- [00:00] Introduction Amir introduces Ron Williams and the focus of the episode: navigating AI and business security.
- [01:00] What Kindle Does Ron explains Kindle’s role in AI orchestration and how it helps businesses manage AI capabilities securely.
- [03:00] Comparing Cloud and AI Risks Discussion on how AI risks differ from traditional cloud data risks and the importance of understanding these nuances.
- [06:00] AI and Competitive Risk Insights into how large companies and startups are navigating AI’s impact on competition and innovation.
- [09:00] AI Models in the WorkplaceHow companies are deploying AI models to augment and, in some cases, replace traditional roles like customer service.
- [12:00] Apple’s On-Device AI and Future TrendsThe benefits of localized AI models, such as privacy and operational independence, as exemplified by Apple’s approach.
- [18:00] The Importance of Custom AI ModelsWhy building proprietary AI models is crucial for maintaining competitive advantage in the future.
- [24:00] Closing ThoughtsRon emphasizes the significance of AI in shaping the future of business and offers actionable advice for leaders.
Call to Action:
Share this episode with tech leaders who are navigating the complexities of AI adoption. Remember to subscribe and leave feedback on what topics you'd like us to cover next!
In this episode, Amir Bormand speaks with John Coles, VP of Data Science and Analytics at ACV Auctions. They dive into what it means to lead with a data-first mindset, empower engineering teams, and foster a culture of innovation through hackathons. John shares insights on balancing profitability, ROI, and innovation while addressing the critical role of context and flexibility for team success.
Key Takeaways
- Data-First Culture: Building with data in mind from the start enables both immediate and future business opportunities.
- Empowering Engineers: Providing context and flexibility allows engineers to innovate and adapt to rapidly evolving technologies.
- Hackathons as Innovation Drivers: Structured and collaborative hackathons foster creativity, experimentation, and peer recognition.
- ROI-Driven Decision Making: Embedding analytics within teams ensures alignment between business goals and engineering efforts.
Highlights
[00:01:00] - Introduction to ACV Auctions and its data-first approach to the automotive wholesale market.[00:04:00] - How providing context and flexibility fosters innovative solutions in engineering teams.
[00:07:00] - The role of hackathons in driving innovation and their integration into ACV's product roadmap.[00:08:00] - Importance of peer-driven recognition in hackathons to elevate impactful ideas.
[00:14:00] - Balancing innovation with business priorities: How ACV manages hackathon outputs and roadmaps.[00:17:00] - The role of upskilling and team enablement to turn hackathon ideas into actionable products.[00:20:00] - Examples of hackathon projects that have transformed into production solutions at ACV Auctions.[00:23:00] - The importance of embedding analytics into teams to measure ROI and drive insights.
Episode Quote
"Insight without delivery doesn’t result in value in a business. It’s interesting, but it doesn’t move you forward." — John Coles
This episode offers invaluable insights for tech leaders looking to balance innovation and business outcomes while empowering their teams to lead from any position within the company.
Guest:
John Coles, Ph.D. is the Vice President of Data Science and Analytics at ACV, where he leads data infrastructure, machine learning and data analytics strategy. Prior to joining ACV, Dr. Coles held many leadership roles, including Chief Technology Officer and Chief Product Officer of Bronze Trident Inc., a startup in Buffalo, New York, where he designed the business model and product plan for an automated tax challenge software.Dr. Coles was recently recognized as an Auto Remarketing ‘40 Under 40’ Honoree (2021) and was awarded the Koopman Prize from the Military Appreciations Society of the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS)—among other accolades. He holds a Bachelor of Science from the University at Buffalo, a Master of Engineering from Texas A&M University, and a Ph.D. in Operations Research from the University at Buffalo.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-coles-28311015/
In this insightful episode, Amir Bormand interviews Anil Choudary, CTO at Alliant Credit Union, about bridging the gap between technology and business priorities. The conversation covers managing tech debt effectively, engaging with business leaders, and fostering a culture of collaboration. Anil shares strategies for empowering engineers, using hackathons to foster innovation, and building a shared understanding between business and technology teams.
Key Takeaways:
- Bridging the Gap: Understand and translate business priorities into technology initiatives to align goals effectively.
- Tech Debt Management: Position tech debt as a shared enterprise issue, not just a technical challenge.
- Empowering Engineers: Leverage initiatives like hackathons to surface bottom-up innovations and bridge the gap between business and technology.
- Culture of Collaboration: Establishing a culture of mutual understanding and collaboration is key to successful technology implementation.
- Emerging Technologies: Carefully evaluate the value and feasibility of emerging technologies like GenAI to ensure alignment with organizational needs.
Highlighted Timestamps:
- [00:00] Introduction to Anil Choudary and the topic of technology-business alignment.
- [02:00] Understanding and translating business priorities into technology initiatives.
- [05:00] Tech debt: A shared challenge and how to communicate it to business stakeholders.
- [09:00] Evaluating the feasibility of emerging technologies like GenAI for practical use cases.
- [13:00] Using hackathons to empower engineers and foster innovation within the organization.
- [18:00] Lessons from leading tech companies: Applying product-centric thinking to mainstream organizations.
- [24:00] Creating production-ready AI solutions and addressing the hype versus reality of emerging technologies.
Memorable Quote: "Tech debt isn't just a technology problem—it's an enterprise problem. It's about understanding how our decisions over time shape the organization's ability to innovate." – Anil Choudary
This episode offers a practical guide for technology and business leaders to align their strategies, foster collaboration, and embrace innovation while managing the complexities of tech debt and cultural transformation.
Anu Choudary is a seasoned technology leader with extensive experience in driving digital transformation and strategic business initiatives. With a background in both technical and managerial roles, she excels at bridging the gap between business objectives and technological innovation. Anu has led high-impact projects in cloud computing, enterprise architecture, and software development, demonstrating a keen ability to align IT solutions with organizational goals. Known for her collaborative approach, she fosters cross-functional solid relationships and emphasizes the importance of mentorship and team development. Her expertise positions her as a valuable asset in leading technology-driven growth and change within organizations.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/achoudary/
In this episode of The Tech Trek, host Amir Bormand chats with Dana Lawson, CTO at Netlify, about the complexities and nuances of stepping into a CTO role. They dive deep into the challenges of leadership, career progression, and aligning technical and business objectives. Dana shares her journey from a director role to CTO, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness, adaptability, and building relationships within and beyond the organization.
Key Takeaways:
- Rethinking Career Success: Success in technology isn’t about chasing titles; it’s about finding fulfilling roles that align with personal and organizational goals.
- Balancing Business and Technology: As you move up the ladder, the focus shifts from technical execution to strategic alignment with business goals.
- The Power of Vulnerability: Embracing vulnerability and asking for help fosters growth, collaboration, and team trust.
- Building Strong Relationships: Strong partnerships across teams, especially with finance and sales, are critical for CTO-level success.
Episode Highlights:
[00:00] Introduction
- Dana shares her role at Netlify and the platform’s mission to streamline web development for engineers.
[01:00] Is the CTO Role the Pinnacle of Success?
- Dana discusses societal pressures to climb the career ladder and why the CTO title isn’t the ultimate measure of success.
[04:00] The Role of Directors in Organizations
- The unique impact and gratification that come with the director role versus higher executive positions.
[07:00] Transitioning to the CTO Role
- Key skills Dana developed during her career that became critical as a CTO, including business acumen and data-driven decision-making.
[11:00] Balancing Strategy and Execution
- How Dana balances being a strategic leader while staying connected to the technology and product teams.
[13:00] Vulnerability in Leadership
- Why it’s essential to ask for help and leverage networks to overcome challenges in leadership roles.
[17:00] Bridging Gaps with Business Teams
- Building trust and learning the language of finance and sales teams to align technical goals with business outcomes.
[20:00] Advice for Aspiring CTOs
- Dana shares advice for senior engineers and directors looking to transition into executive leadership.
Listen to Learn:
- How to navigate career progression in tech without succumbing to societal pressures.
- Why understanding the workflows of non-technical teams is crucial for senior leaders.
- How vulnerability and openness can enhance your effectiveness as a leader.
This episode offers invaluable insights for aspiring tech leaders or anyone looking to understand the dynamics of transitioning to executive roles. Dana’s experience and candid reflections provide a roadmap for navigating challenges and fostering meaningful impact in the tech space. Don't miss out!
In this engaging episode, Amir sits down with Utkarsh Sangi, Head of Engineering at EarnUp, to explore the intricacies of the senior engineering role and the factors that influence career growth beyond it. They dive into the personal and professional considerations of staying at a senior level, the challenges of progressing to staff or management positions, and the critical role of leadership and mentorship in career advancement.
Listeners will gain valuable insights into the balance between technical expertise and leadership skills, how to identify and close gaps in personal development, and the importance of aligning career goals with personal values.
Highlights and Timestamps:
01:00 – What is a Senior Engineer?Utkarsh defines the senior engineering role as one focused on handling project-level complexity and explains why it is often considered a "terminal position" in tech careers.
03:00 – Why Engineers Stay at the Senior LevelUtkarsh discusses how personal priorities, such as work-life balance and individual happiness, influence decisions to remain at the senior level.
04:50 – The Role Change Beyond Senior EngineeringTransitioning beyond senior engineering involves unlearning certain habits and developing leadership skills, which can be challenging but rewarding.
08:00 – Manager's Role in Career GrowthA manager’s trust and feedback are critical for engineers aspiring to move beyond senior positions. Utkarsh emphasizes the importance of a strong manager-engineer relationship.
10:20 – Choosing Between Staff and Managerial TracksUtkarsh advises engineers to align their career paths with their day-to-day interests and desired outcomes, whether technical innovation or people development.
12:40 – Navigating Subjectivity in Skill AssessmentThe challenges of assessing technical skills and how managers can objectively evaluate an engineer’s impact.
14:50 – The Leadership GapUtkarsh highlights how leadership, both technical and people-oriented, is essential for moving beyond senior roles. Engineers must learn to delegate, collaborate, and drive organizational impact.
18:00 – The Value of Mentorship and Self-DevelopmentMentorship, self-awareness, and continuous learning are vital for career progression, especially for engineers aiming to take on leadership roles.
22:30 – External vs. Internal PromotionsUtkarsh explains the balance engineering leaders must strike when deciding to promote internally or hire externally for higher roles.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Senior Engineering as a Terminal Position:It’s okay to remain a senior engineer if it aligns with personal happiness and career goals. Not everyone needs to climb the corporate ladder.
✅ Leadership is the Differentiator:Whether aiming for staff engineer or managerial roles, leadership skills—such as delegation and strategic thinking—are crucial.
✅ Manager-Engineer Trust is Vital:Strong relationships with managers pave the way for growth by fostering open communication and actionable feedback.
✅ Mentorship and Self-Development Drive Success:Investing in personal development and seeking mentorship are key to bridging gaps in leadership skills.
Episode Quote:
"Leadership isn’t just about knowing more; it’s about elevating others and driving impact across the team."
This episode provides actionable advice and inspiration for engineers and tech professionals navigating career transitions, whether staying at the senior level or aspiring to higher leadership roles. Tune in to hear Utkarsh’s thoughtful perspectives on balancing career aspirations with personal fulfillment.
Guest:
Utkarsh Sangi is the Head of Engineering at EarnUp, a company focused on transforming mortgage servicing through technology. With a strong background in software engineering and technical leadership, Utkarsh has held key roles in scaling teams, driving product innovation, and managing complex engineering projects. His expertise spans various industries, including financial services and tech startups. Utkarsh is passionate about mentoring engineers, developing team leadership, and fostering a collaborative work environment that balances technical excellence with business outcomes. His experience and insights have positioned him as a leader in navigating the evolving demands of modern engineering organizations.
In this episode, Amir Bormand interviews Brian Young, Director of Engineering at Grindr, about navigating the complexities of scale and managing technical debt in engineering organizations. Brian shares his experiences from working at companies like Amazon, Wayfair, and Grindr, providing valuable insights into designing scalable systems, managing tech debt, and balancing technical and business needs.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Scaling with Intention: Scale isn’t about growing at all costs—it’s about designing systems that fit your business context.
✅ Making Smart Trade-Offs: Every engineering decision involves trade-offs. Understanding CAP theorem and applying it to system design can help balance availability, consistency, and partition tolerance.
✅ Technical Debt as a Business Asset: Tech debt isn’t inherently negative—it reflects past business needs and decisions. Successful companies embrace it while planning for future growth.
✅ Context is Everything: Capturing and preserving historical engineering context can reduce friction when making future system changes.
✅ Evolving with the Industry: As AI-powered tools mature, they may play a larger role in mitigating tech debt and supporting code maintenance.
Highlights with Timestamps:
[00:01:00] Defining Scale
Brian explains what scaling means in different business contexts, drawing comparisons between Amazon, Wayfair, and Grindr.
[00:04:00] Managing System Trade-Offs
Discussion on the CAP theorem and how Amazon designed systems to prioritize availability over consistency.
[00:07:00] Avoiding Overdesign
The importance of building for the 80% use case and iterating based on real user data instead of solving hypothetical edge cases.
[00:10:00] Embracing Tech Debt
How tech debt reflects past business realities and why companies should embrace it as a natural outcome of growth.
[00:14:00] Adapting Engineering Teams
How changing business stages impact the kinds of engineers needed and how hiring practices must evolve accordingly.
[00:17:00] The Role of Context in Tech Decisions
The importance of preserving context in decision-making and why current tools fall short in capturing engineering history.
[00:19:00] Future of AI in Software Development
Emerging tools like AI-powered coding assistants and their potential impact on mitigating tech debt.
Tune in for actionable insights on managing scale, tech debt, and engineering leadership.
Like, share, and subscribe for more expert conversations!
In this insightful episode, Amir Bormand sits down with Naama Stauber Breckler, Co-Founder and CEO of Better Health, and Adam Breckler, Co-Founder and Head of Product at Better Health. Together, they explore the transformative power of personalized patient care and the integration of medical supplies with empathetic peer support. From leveraging data to reduce healthcare costs to navigating the complexities of the healthcare system, this conversation offers a compelling look into how Better Health is reshaping the patient experience.
Key Takeaways:
- Meeting Patients Where They Are: It’s about more than physical delivery—understanding patients’ emotional and mental states is crucial.
- The Power of Peer Support: Personalized, relatable guidance from individuals who share the same conditions can transform the patient experience.
- Leveraging Data and Technology: From AI-driven back-office efficiencies to nuanced patient insights, Better Health uses technology to improve care delivery.
- Healthcare System Challenges: Navigating complex stakeholder relationships is critical to delivering better patient outcomes.
- Empathy in Innovation: Better Health combines cutting-edge solutions with a deep commitment to understanding and alleviating patient pain points.
Timestamped Highlights:
- [00:01:00] Introduction to Better Health’s mission and unique approach to chronic care management.
- [00:02:30] How Better Health’s peer support program empowers patients emotionally and practically.
- [00:07:00] Challenges in healthcare data sharing and standardization.
- [00:10:00] Understanding the complexities of stakeholder priorities in the healthcare system.
- [00:18:00] The organic evolution of peer support specialists at Better Health.
- [00:22:00] The integration of peer support with medical supplies for improved patient adherence.
- [00:30:00] Applications of AI in creating efficiencies and enhancing the patient experience.
- [00:33:00] Building trust through human connection and personalized care.
Featured Quote:
"Meeting patients where they are means understanding their mental and emotional states, not just delivering supplies." — Naama Stauber Breckler
Connect with the Guests:
- Naama Stauber Breckler: Connect on LinkedIn or visit Better Health's website.
- Adam Breckler: Connect on LinkedIn or visit Better Health's website.
Stay Connected:
Enjoyed this episode? Share it with someone in your network, and don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave a comment. Your feedback helps us grow and bring you more valuable content.
In this episode of The Tech Trek, Amir Bormand sits down with Dave McCann, CTO at Self Financial, to dive deep into scaling strategies and the art of navigating exits in both VC-backed and private equity-backed companies. With multiple successful exits, Dave shares his insights on building cohesive teams, adapting leadership styles, and evaluating opportunities for success. Whether you're a budding technologist or a seasoned leader, this episode offers valuable perspectives on creating impactful career trajectories in the tech industry.
Key Takeaways:
- The Core of Successful Teams: Early hires in startups are critical. Building a cohesive team with aligned goals can make or break a venture.
- Scaling in PE-Backed Companies: Leadership in private equity-backed companies requires a shift from hands-on management to empowering large teams and managing scalability.
- Framework for Success: Success isn't luck—it's about understanding market fit, leveraging financial acumen, and aligning with the right team and leadership.
- The Role of the CTO: Transitioning from a prescriptive leader in startups to a servant leader in large organizations is key to scaling effectively.
- P&L Understanding: For technologists, grasping the financial mechanics of an organization is as crucial as understanding the technology itself.
Timestamped Highlights:
- [00:01:00] Introduction to Self Financial and Dave’s Role as CTO.
- [00:02:00] VC vs. PE: Key differences in growth strategies and leadership.
- [00:05:00] The evolution of a CTO's role: From prescriptive to empowering leadership.
- [00:12:00] Delegation and the challenges of letting go as a leader.
- [00:15:00] The importance of financial acumen for technologists.
- [00:18:00] Patterns and frameworks for identifying successful opportunities.
- [00:25:00] Private equity’s structure and opportunities for wealth creation.
- [00:28:00] Final insights and ways to connect with Dave McCann.
Quote of the Episode:*"Great leadership isn't about controlling outcomes—it's about enabling people and trusting them to deliver their best." – Dave McCann
Connect with Dave McCann:
- LinkedIn: Dave McCann
Let’s Continue the Conversation:Enjoyed the episode? Share it with your network, leave a review, and subscribe for more insights into the tech world. Got questions for Dave or Amir? Comment below or reach out directly!
In this episode, Amir Bormand is joined by Nadav Eiron, SVP of Cloud Engineering at Crusoe, to discuss the nuances of leadership, team dynamics, and scaling engineering teams. The conversation dives into how small companies evolve into large organizations, the art of aligning teams with company missions and managing the complexities of remote work. Nadav also shares insights on balancing speed, quality, and autonomy while navigating between startup and enterprise cultures.
Key Takeaways:
- Team Alignment: The leadership’s role is to align teams with a unified mission and balance personal and team identities.
- Remote Work Dynamics: How leadership adapts to maintain effective communication and team cohesion in remote environments.
- Small vs. Big Company Mindsets: The pace, problem-solving approaches, and infrastructure differences between startups and large enterprises.
- Effective Hiring: The importance of hiring ahead for future challenges and embracing diversity of thought to drive innovation.
- Autonomy and Collaboration: How defining clear roles and minimizing unnecessary interactions leads to higher team performance.
Highlights with Timestamps:
- 00:01:00 - Crusoe’s Mission: How Crusoe integrates AI and climate-conscious computing to drive innovation.
- 00:02:00 - Leadership Beyond Management: What distinguishes a team from a group of individuals and how leaders create alignment.
- 00:05:00 - Balancing Identities: Managing team identities across geography and skill sets.
- 00:07:00 - Remote Work Challenges: The loss of informal communication in remote settings and how leaders can address it.
- 00:12:00 - Big vs. Small Companies: Differences in infrastructure, problem complexity, and productivity at various organizational scales.
- 00:15:00 - Creating Autonomy: Why autonomy and well-defined APIs for teams improve performance and efficiency.
- 00:19:00 - Hiring Ahead of Needs: The importance of hiring talent that will scale with the company’s growth.
- 00:23:00 - Transferable Skills: How leaders can identify and leverage skills that are applicable across different company sizes and contexts.
Quote of the Episode: "Building a good organization is the same as building good software—define the APIs and minimize interactions across them." – Nadav Eiron
Subscribe and Share: If you found this episode valuable, don’t forget to subscribe and share it with your network!
Engage with Nadav: Connect with Nadav Eiron on LinkedIn to dive deeper into his insights on leadership and scaling engineering teams.
Nadav Eiron is the SVP of Cloud Engineering at Crusoe, where he leverages his extensive experience in cloud technologies to drive innovation and operational efficiency. With a background that spans various leadership roles, Nadav has a proven track record of managing and scaling engineering teams, optimizing cloud infrastructure, and aligning technology initiatives with business goals. He is passionate about leveraging cloud engineering to solve complex problems and foster growth for his teams and the organizations he works with.
In this episode of The Tech Trek, Amir Bormand sits down with Harshit Shah, CTO of Kyruus Health, to discuss cultivating high-performance engineering cultures, managing distributed teams, and navigating the evolving landscape of technology. Harshit shares insights on geostrategy, the role of Gen AI in software engineering, and the importance of attributes like growth mindset and collaboration in building successful teams.
Whether you're a CTO, an engineering leader, or a technologist, this episode is packed with actionable insights and thought-provoking discussions that will resonate with professionals across the tech industry.
Key Takeaways:
-
High-Performance Culture Framework:
- Defined by three pillars: craftsmanship, operational excellence, and human-centric teamwork.
- Successful teams integrate seamlessly with business goals and foster individual professional growth.
-
Attributes of High-Performing Engineers:
-
Growth mindset, problem-solving skills, and strong collaboration abilities are essential.
- Functional expertise matters, but team dynamics and adaptability are key to sustained success.
-
Hybrid and Distributed Teams:
-
Balancing in-person collaboration with remote work creates opportunities for flexibility and talent acquisition.
- Communication, frameworks, and consistent tools are vital for aligning diverse teams.
-
Impact of Generative AI:
-
Gen AI tools like co-pilots are enhancing productivity in software engineering by automating repetitive tasks and documentation.
- While the long-term impact is uncertain, embracing these tools as enablers of efficiency is critical.
-
Leadership's Role in Culture:
-
Clear communication, alignment with organizational goals, and consistency in processes help unify diverse engineering units.
Timestamped Highlights:
- [00:00:00] - Introduction to Harshit Shah and Kyruus Health’s mission.
- [00:03:00] - Defining high-performance engineering cultures and their core attributes.
- [00:09:00] - Balancing team needs with hiring for high-performing attributes.
- [00:14:00] - Managing hybrid and distributed teams effectively.
- [00:23:00] - Discussing the role of generative AI in engineering and beyond.
- [00:27:00] - How Kyruus uses Gen AI tools to enhance productivity and onboarding.
- [00:29:00] - Future perspectives on software engineering roles and AI.
Featured Quote:
"Building a high-performing culture isn't just about technical skills; it's about fostering collaboration, problem-solving, and a growth mindset in every team member." – Harshit Shah
Call to Action:
If you enjoyed this episode, please:
- Share it with someone who might find it valuable.
- Like, subscribe, and leave a comment with your thoughts on the discussion.
To connect with Harshit Shah, visit his LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harshah/
In this episode, Amir Bormand is joined by Mukta Nandwani, the CTO of Findhelp, to explore the critical role of technology in social care. Mukta shares insights into the industry's unique constraints, the importance of accessibility and privacy, and how technology meets users where they are—especially in underserved communities. They also discuss challenges in adoption, the potential of emerging technologies like generative AI, and the intersection of innovation and humanity in social care tech.
Key Takeaways:
Understanding Social Care Tech: The spectrum of technical maturity in social care organizations varies significantly, requiring tailored solutions.
Accessibility is Key: Technology must be usable by people with limited devices, internet access, or tech skills.
Respecting Privacy and Dignity: Social care tech must prioritize user consent and protect sensitive data to maintain trust.
Adoption Challenges: The "last mile" in social care tech requires simplicity and innovative solutions like community kiosks and real-time translation tools.
Engineering in Social Care: Building solutions in this domain demands a deeper understanding of societal needs and user contexts.
Timestamped Highlights:
[00:01:00] What is social care tech, and how does it differ from health tech?
[00:04:00] Mukta explains accessibility challenges for underserved communities.
[00:07:00] Why privacy and dignity are non-negotiable in social care tech.
[00:10:00] Generative AI’s potential and its challenges in low-tech environments.
[00:13:00] The complexity of developing social care tech solutions and the engineer’s perspective.
Quote to Highlight:
"It's not always about the cool technology. It's about meeting users where they're at and respecting their dignity." – Mukta Nandwani
Connect with Mukta:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mukta-nandwani/
Call to Action:
If this episode inspired you, share it with a colleague or friend. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and tell us how this discussion resonated with you!
In this podcast episode, the host is joined by Rebecca Price, a Partner at Primary Venture Partners, to discuss the transition of founders to becoming exceptional CEOs. They explore the skills and gaps in this transition, the importance of adaptability and leadership, and the role of venture capital firms in supporting founders. Rebecca shares insights on the five key attributes of successful founders: adaptability, leadership, discipline, personal grounding, and storytelling. The conversation also delves into three main pitfalls that can hinder a founder's journey to becoming a CEO: lack of personal grounding, lack of alignment, and undervaluing the importance of recruiting. The episode provides practical advice and real-world examples to help current and future founders navigate their path to effective leadership.
Highlights:
02:43 The Difference Between Founders and CEOs
05:50 Attributes of Successful Founders
08:31 Coachability and Adaptability in Founders
14:07 Common Failures in the Founder to CEO Transition
Guest:
Rebecca Levine Price is a Partner at Primary Venture Partners, where she focuses on helping early-stage founders scale their companies and transition into effective CEOs. With a strong leadership development and talent acquisition background, Rebecca specializes in identifying key leadership attributes, supporting founders through strategic growth phases, and ensuring alignment between leadership and company goals. She has extensive experience guiding startups through critical transitions and is passionate about helping founders build high-performing teams and sustainable businesses.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-levine-price
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.
Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.com
Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?
Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
In this episode, Chris Fahey, SVP of Talent and HR at Volition Capital, discusses the often-overlooked value of org charts for growing companies. He discusses how they can pinpoint hiring gaps and the importance of focusing on roles, not just people. Chris also highlights the importance of aligning your company's strategy with its structure and regularly revisiting this alignment for smoother scaling. Great tips for founders and businesses aiming for efficient growth!
Highlights:
01:47 The Importance of Org Charts in Business02:59 Challenges and Benefits of Creating Org Charts04:56 Aligning Org Charts with Business Strategy10:09 Defining Success Criteria for Hiring13:24 Iterating and Reassessing Org Charts15:19 Advice for Founders on Organizational Alignment18:12 Frequency of Re-examining Org Charts
Guest:
Chris Fahey is the Senior Vice President of Talent and Human Resources at Volition Capital. With extensive experience in talent acquisition and HR leadership, Chris deeply understands organizational strategy and scaling businesses. He focuses on aligning a company's talent needs with its broader strategic goals, helping growing businesses optimize their organizational structure and enhance hiring processes. Chris is passionate about building high-performing teams and fostering company cultures that drive success, especially in high-growth environments.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/fahey02
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.
Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.com
Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?
Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
In this podcast episode, Amir interviews Christina Stejskalova, the Director of Data at Ontra. They discuss the optimal timing for startups to hire data professionals and the importance of data in shaping AI strategies. The conversation covers Christina’s experiences in big tech and startups, highlighting the commonly seen delays in hiring data experts in early-stage companies. Christina shares insights into the impact of early data integration on business strategies, particularly in AI-driven environments. The discussion emphasizes the critical role of a data-driven approach for optimizing product development and driving revenue growth.
Highlights:
01:17 The Importance of Early Data Hires in Startups
02:10 Challenges and Misconceptions in Data Hiring
04:07 The Role of Data in AI Strategy
05:22 Proving the Value of Data in Startups
10:50 Data Cleaning and Governance in AI
14:46 The Cost of Delaying Data Strategy
17:33 The Evolving Role of Data Professionals
Guest:
Christina Stejskalova is the Director of Data at Ontra, where she leads the development of data strategies that drive business growth and enhance decision-making through advanced analytics. With a strong background in data science, machine learning, and AI, Christina has worked in both startups and large tech companies, focusing on optimizing data platforms and managing technical debt. Her expertise lies in integrating data into business processes to shape AI strategies, improve data quality, and deliver impactful solutions. Christina holds a deep commitment to data-driven innovation and business transformation.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinastejskalova/
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.
Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.com
Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?
Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
In this podcast episode, Amir interviews Addhyan Pandey, Zoro.com's Senior Director of AI and Data. They discuss the role of data platforms in serving businesses, mainly focusing on advanced technologies like machine learning and AI. Addhyan explains Zoro's current AI maturity, the challenges posed by data quality, and the concept of technical debt in data management. He also touches on the importance of self-service and human-in-the-loop systems for enhancing business processes. Addhyan shares his experience at Zoro and provides insights on strategic prioritization and stakeholder engagement in data projects.
Highlights:
01:13 AI and Machine Learning at Zoro
03:13 Challenges in Data Quality and Technical Debt
05:45 Balancing Business Needs and Data Feasibility
11:43 Self-Service and Human in the Loop
15:14 Addhyan's Onboarding Experience at Zoro
Guest:
Addhyan Pandey is the Head of AI and Data at Zoro.com, an e-commerce platform focused on supporting businesses. Before this role, he led Machine Learning and Platform teams at Cars.com and Groupon, addressing diverse marketplace and e-commerce challenges. He also spearheaded the re-platforming of the tech stack at Cars Commerce as part of the Product and Strategy teams. With several research papers and patents in machine learning, Addhyan holds a strong technical background and a degree in electronics and communication engineering.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/addhyan-pandey
In this episode, Amir welcomes Matt Birnbaum, Partner at Pear VC, to discuss the intricacies of structuring equity in early-stage startups. They delve into factors that go into managing an option pool, the importance of setting aside the right amount of equity, and the nuanced calculations behind compensation packages. Matt shares insights from a blog article he authored, which provides a practical calculator to help founders plan equity distribution. They also explore common pitfalls, discuss the balance between attracting crucial hires and maintaining flexibility, and offer advice for having transparent equity conversations with early-stage employees. The episode aims to equip founders and potential candidates with tools and frameworks to make informed decisions about startup equity.
Highlights:
02:15 Importance of Structuring Startup Equity
05:51 Equity Spend and Flexibility for Founders
09:45 Balancing Equity for Early Hires
14:19 Presenting Equity Offers to Candidates
20:43 Nuances in Equity Allocation
Guest:
Matt Birnbaum is Partner at Pear VC, where he focuses on investing in and guiding early-stage startups. With extensive experience in talent acquisition and leadership, Matt has previously led talent functions at companies like Instacart and Optimizely. He specializes in scaling teams and building effective hiring strategies for high-growth companies. At Pear VC, Matt leverages his background to support founders in assembling world-class teams that drive innovation and success. He is passionate about helping startups navigate the complexities of growth and talent development.
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/birnbing
Blog article: https://pear.vc/how-to-structure-startup-equity-for-early-hires/
In this episode, Amir welcomes Matt Birnbaum, Partner at Pear VC, to discuss the intricacies of structuring equity in early-stage startups. They delve into factors that go into managing an option pool, the importance of setting aside the right amount of equity, and the nuanced calculations behind compensation packages. Matt shares insights from a blog article he authored, which provides a practical calculator to help founders plan equity distribution. They also explore common pitfalls, discuss the balance between attracting crucial hires and maintaining flexibility, and offer advice for having transparent equity conversations with early-stage employees. The episode aims to equip founders and potential candidates with tools and frameworks to make informed decisions about startup equity.
Highlights:
02:15 Importance of Structuring Startup Equity
05:51 Equity Spend and Flexibility for Founders
09:45 Balancing Equity for Early Hires
14:19 Presenting Equity Offers to Candidates
20:43 Nuances in Equity Allocation
Guest:
Matt Birnbaum is Partner at Pear VC, where he focuses on investing in and guiding early-stage startups. With extensive experience in talent acquisition and leadership, Matt has previously led talent functions at companies like Instacart and Optimizely. He specializes in scaling teams and building effective hiring strategies for high-growth companies. At Pear VC, Matt leverages his background to support founders in assembling world-class teams that drive innovation and success. He is passionate about helping startups navigate the complexities of growth and talent development.
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/birnbing
Blog article: https://pear.vc/how-to-structure-startup-equity-for-early-hires/
In this episode, Amir welcomes Sandeep Bhadra, General Partner at Vertex US, to discuss early-stage founders' challenges and the critical support they need. The conversation covers the loneliness of the founder's journey, the importance of coaching and mentoring, and the dynamics of candid discussions between investors and founders. Sandeep emphasizes the significance of understanding distribution and managing teams with different expertise. The episode also delves into the art of pivoting, testing ideas, and the necessity of being patient while finding the right market fit.
Highlights:
01:44 Challenges and Psychology of Founders
04:35 Importance of Coaching and Mentorship
06:28 Balancing Vision and Reality
12:24 Skills and Gaps in First-Time Founders
16:18 The Art of Pivoting and Lean Experimentation
Guest:
Sandeep Bhadra is a General Partner at Vertex Ventures US, where he focuses on early-stage investments in enterprise software, cloud infrastructure, and cybersecurity. With a strong background in venture capital and a PhD in electrical engineering from Stanford, Sandeep brings deep technical expertise and business acumen to his role. Before Vertex, he held roles at Menlo Ventures and helped lead investments in several successful tech startups. Sandeep is passionate about partnering with visionary founders to help them scale and grow their companies.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandeepbhadra/
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.
Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.com
Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?
Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
In this podcast episode, Amir Bormand interviews John Cottongim, Co-Founder and CTO at Roots Automation, discussing the impact of process automation and generative AI in the insurance industry. John shares his extensive industry background and insights into how advanced technologies, mainly digital co-workers powered by generative AI, transform legacy systems and optimize processes in insurance companies. The conversation touches on data quality issues, simplifying complex business processes, and the future potential of narrow AI models tailored specifically for insurance. John emphasizes practical strategies for successful automation while maintaining data integrity and enhancing efficiency. The episode concludes with reflections on the evolving landscape of insurance and the promising role of technology.
Highlights:
01:50 Challenges of Legacy Systems in Insurance
03:03 John's Background and Insights from AIG
05:29 Data Quality and Process Automation
09:51 Identifying and Automating Key Processes
13:03 Simplifying Complex Processes and User Adoption
22:16 The Future of Gen AI in Insurance
Guest:
John Cottongim is the Co-Founder and CTO of Roots Automation Inc., an Insurtech startup focused on delivering Digital Coworkers to the insurance industry, leveraging Roots’ industry-leading insurGPT AI capabilities.Previously, John headed the Enterprise Automation Hub at Mars Incorporated and AIG’s Automation program for Life, Retirement, and Global Business Services. Before his work in automation, John led Lean Transformation initiatives, working with teams across the globe to deliver customer value through process excellence and cultural change.John is a CFA® charter holder, Certified Scrum Product Owner®, and holds a Lean Competency System - Level 2a certificate from Cardiff University. He also holds an MBA from New York University and BS degrees in Finance and Accounting from Villanova University.
https://linkedin.com/in/john-cottongim
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.
Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.com
Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?
Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
In this podcast episode, Amir Bormand interviews Michelle Avery, Group VP of AI at WillowTree, a TELUS International Company. They discuss the process of prototyping Generative AI (Gen AI) solutions and transitioning from prototypes to production-ready applications. Key points include identifying business problems, the importance of intentional prototyping, overcoming data access challenges, and ensuring user acceptance and ROI. Michelle shares insights from her work at WillowTree, emphasizing the role of strategic planning and cross-disciplinary collaboration in successful AI implementation.
Highlights
01:34 Prototyping Gen AI Solutions
03:25 Identifying Business Problems for AI Solutions
06:40 Challenges in Prototyping and Data Access
07:55 From Prototype to Production
09:57 Ensuring User Acceptance and Feedback
16:01 Moving Beyond Chatbots
Guest:
With 17 years of experience across engineering, AI, FinTech, and Robotics, Michelle Avery is a technical leader in the Data and AI space. As the Group Vice President of AI at WillowTree, a Telus International Company, Michelle is passionate about building responsible, production-ready AI applications that address real-world business problems. She leads innovative initiatives in generative AI, oversees impactful research projects, and drives the development of data-intensive applications for Fortune 100 clients.
www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-avery-63729bb7
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.
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In this podcast episode, Amir Nathoo, Co-Founder and Head of Outschool, discusses the innovative online marketplace for live classes aimed at kids globally. He explains how Outschool empowers unconventional educators to offer diverse and creative subjects, providing alternatives to traditional learning systems. The conversation covers the impact of the pandemic on remote learning, the challenges of integrating such platforms within traditional school systems, and the role of AI in personalized education. Emphasis is placed on fostering a love of learning and shifting societal attitudes toward education.
Highlights:
02:40 The Genesis of Outschool
06:25 Impact of the Pandemic on Outschool
10:55 Challenges and Opportunities in Education
21:06 The Role of AI in Education
25:41 Future of Education and Final Thoughts
Guest:
Amir Nathoo is the Co-Founder and CEO of Outschool, an innovative online platform that connects kids globally with live, interactive classes led by expert educators. With a background in engineering and technology, Amir is passionate about transforming education by offering diverse and creative learning opportunities outside the traditional classroom. Under his leadership, Outschool has grown rapidly, especially during the shift to remote learning, and continues to pioneer new educational approaches, empowering students and educators worldwide.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirnathoo/
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.
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In this podcast episode, we explore critical technical decisions and the concept of technical debt with Brian Moseley, Co-Founder and CTO of Sixfold. Brian discusses his views on balancing short-term goals with long-term ramifications, including real-life examples from his work. The conversation delves into the use of generative AI in insurance underwriting, the importance of context in decision-making, and the challenge of remote work collaboration. Brian stresses the need for documenting reasoning and decisions to avoid future misunderstandings and highlights the role of whiteboard sessions in accelerating productive outcomes. The episode comprehensively discusses making informed and contextually aware technical choices.
Highlights:
01:28 Understanding Technical Debt
02:38 Real-World Examples of Technical Debt
05:47 The Importance of Context in Decision Making
08:38 Asynchronous Communication and Documentation
16:30 Challenges of Remote Collaboration
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.
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Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?
Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
In this episode, Amir interviews Jen Kodner, a Talent Partner at Threshold Ventures and DFJ Growth, to discuss best practices and challenges in leadership hiring for startups. They explore the importance of finding the right leadership fit for different growth phases, professionalizing key functions, and balancing the hands-on approach required at early stages. Jen shares insights on the dynamics of player-coach roles, setting appropriate expectations for new hires, and the intricacies of delegating responsibilities from founders to new leaders. The conversation provides valuable advice for founders and those involved in talent acquisition at growing startups.
Highlights:
02:56 Challenges in Leadership Hiring for Startups
03:54 Professionalizing Functions in Early-Stage Companies
04:45 The Role of Sales Leaders in Startups
06:31 Navigating Founder Expectations and Leadership Roles
17:29 Traits of Successful Leadership Hires
Guests:
Jen Kodner is the Talent Partner at Threshold Ventures and DFJ Growth, where she advises portfolio companies on strategies to identify, attract, and retain top talent. Before joining these firms in 2018, Jen was a Talent Partner at Box, where she also led recruiting efforts. With extensive experience in talent acquisition, Jen plays a crucial role in helping companies build world-class teams.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenkodner/
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.
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Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
In this episode, Joe Emison, CTO and Co-Founder of Branch Insurance, discusses achieving cheaper, faster, and better software development. Joe shares insights from his book, 'Serverless is a Game Changer,' and explains how embracing managed services can lead to substantial gains. He delves into the importance of continual education, managing technical debt, and focusing on undifferentiated value streams. Joe also talks about how Branch has worked to develop extensive applications with a smaller team, achieving significant results by leveraging modern software practices.
Highlights:
01:35 Serverless as a Game Changer
02:11 Cheaper, Faster, Better: The Managed Services Approach
06:17 Continuing Education in Software Development
09:58 Leadership and Decision-Making in Tech
16:29 Technical Debt and Managed Services
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.
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Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
In this episode, Amir interviews Rehgan Bleile, Co-Founder and CEO of AlignAI, about her transition from founding a nonprofit organization to leading a for-profit AI company. Rehgan shares insights into the differences between nonprofit and for-profit ventures, the skills required, and the lessons learned. She discusses the origins and mission of Women In Analytics (WIA), a nonprofit aimed at increasing visibility for women and diverse voices in AI and analytics. She details the challenges and strategies involved in scaling both WIA and AlignAI. Rehgan also talks about her passion for entrepreneurship, the importance of intentionality in business, and the evolving role of data science. The episode offers valuable takeaways for aspiring nonprofit founders and startup entrepreneurs.
Highlights
01:40 Women In Analytics: Mission and Recent Conference
03:25 Challenges and Growth of Women In Analytics
10:43 Transitioning to AlignAI: Motivation and Journey
16:38 Skills and Lessons from Nonprofit to For-Profit
19:07 Intentionality and Unique Positioning in Business
Guest:
Rehgan Avon is the Co-Founder and CEO of AlignAI, a company focused on developing tools and strategies to help organizations effectively implement AI and data-driven initiatives. With a background in industrial engineering and a passion for advancing AI education, Rehgan has a strong track record in the tech industry, including founding Women in Analytics, a nonprofit dedicated to increasing visibility and opportunities for women in data science and AI. She is a recognized leader in AI, analytics, and education.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rehganavon/
https://www.womeninanalytics.com/
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In this podcast episode, Eli Wachs, Co-Founder and CEO of Footprint, delves into the intricacies of managing long-term roadmaps for startups. Eli discusses Footprint's automated onboarding system, which focuses on identity and security. He shares insights on identifying and solving critical problems with intentionality, the challenges faced in balancing immediate priorities versus long-term goals, and the importance of selecting the right design partners. Eli also reflects on the debates and decisions with his co-founder about the company's future directions. This episode offers aspiring and current entrepreneurs valuable lessons about strategic planning and execution.
Highlights:
01:53 Finding the Right Problem to Solve
04:45 Building the Initial Roadmap
06:26 Evaluating and Adjusting the Roadmap
07:59 Making Strategic Bets
13:48 Choosing the Right Customers
17:07 Long-Term Vision and Daydreaming
Guest:
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.
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In this episode, Amir chats with Jai Prakash, Head of Insights and Data Engineering at Pella Corporation, about the evolution of XOps. They dive into Pella's journey in building a center of excellence, upskilling staff, and implementing AI and advanced analytics to enhance manufacturing. Jai shares insights on Pella's strategic tech transformations, including moving to the cloud and how legacy companies can innovate. He highlights the critical role of DataOps and plans for MLOps and AIOps, offering valuable takeaways for established and new XOps adopters.
Highlights:
-
01:17 The Need for XOps in Traditional Manufacturing
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03:22 Innovations in Manufacturing Processes
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05:14 Implementing Advanced Technologies
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09:51 Building a DataOps and XOps Infrastructure
-
14:07 Upskilling and Future-Proofing the Workforce
Guest:
Jai Prakash is the Head of Insights and Data Engineering at Pella Corporation, where he spearheads the company's data-driven transformation. With extensive experience in building data strategies and implementing AI and advanced analytics, Jai has been instrumental in enhancing manufacturing processes. He focuses on creating centers of excellence, upskilling staff, and establishing robust DataOps infrastructures. Jai's expertise in technological innovations, including cloud migration and the development of MLOps and AIOps, positions him as a leader in driving strategic technological transformations within traditional manufacturing environments.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaiprakashd/
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In this episode, Amir chats with Sarah Guidry, Head of Analytics and Data Science at LendingTree, about organizing data science projects. They discuss starting with the end goal in mind, managing stakeholders, and iterative delivery. Sarah shares tips on empowering business users, setting realistic expectations, and fostering a culture of partnership. They also dive into Focus Fridays and hackathons for continuous innovation. Join them for a practical guide on effectively managing and executing data science projects.
Highlights:
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01:35 The Importance of Organizing Work
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04:59 Empowering Business Users with Data
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08:14 Iterative Delivery and Stakeholder Communication
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11:26 Balancing Quick Wins and Long-Term Goals
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15:24 Managing Surprises and Prioritization
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19:58 Encouraging Innovation and R&D
Guest:
Sarah Guidry is a visionary and respected leader with a proven track record of success in analytics and data science. As the Head of Analytics and Data Science at LendingTree, she drives transformational change with powerful thought leadership and expertise. Sarah excels in building teams from the ground up, crafting strategies for team structure, analytics infrastructure, and proactive development. She leads diverse analysts to deliver insightful analytics to senior executives, adapts to changing business environments, and influences key business decisions with data-centric recommendations through advanced emotional intelligence.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-guidry-bb3a9b19/
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In this episode, Amir chats with Samir Kumar, Co-Founder and General Partner at Touring Capital, about platform shifts in technology and the role of AI in future advancements. Samir shares Touring Capital’s investment philosophy, focusing on series B investments in software-centric companies. He discusses the competitive dynamics between startups and tech giants in the AI space, challenges and opportunities in building AI-driven business models, and the future impact of technologies like the metaverse and blockchain.
Highlights:
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02:53 Platform Shifts in Technology
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06:22 AI and the Role of Incumbents
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10:30 Opportunities and Challenges for Startups
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18:34 Narrow Focus and Industry-Specific AI
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25:06 Outcome-Based Pricing and Monetization
Guest:
Samir Kumar is co-founder and General Partner at Touring Capital. Before co-founding Touring, Samir was a Managing Partner at M12 (Microsoft’s Venture Fund), where he led investment activities in horizontal/vertical AI, deep tech, and hardware-enabled software companies. Samir’s notable investments include Applied Intuition, Psi Quantum, Wandelbots, Syntiant, D-Matrix, Regrow, and Netradyne. Samir previously held senior product and strategic business development roles at Qualcomm, Samsung, and Microsoft. He developed a strong passion for AI after delving deep into neural networks a decade ago; this ultimately paved the way for him to become a venture investor. Samir is a graduate of Cornell University.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samirkum/
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In this episode, Amir chats with Sergei Azernikov, VP of CAD/CAM Software Development at Glidewell Dental, about how generative AI (Gen AI) boosts productivity and consistency in dental lab products. Sergei shares how Glidewell Dental has used AI, machine learning, and advanced tech since 2015 to scale operations and enhance user experience, making big strides in digitizing the dental industry. The episode provides practical advice on using advanced technologies in unconventional fields.
Highlights:
- 01:28 The Role of AI in Dental Labs
- 02:16 Early Adoption of AI and Machine Learning
- 05:46 Generative AI in Dental Design
- 07:33 Impact on User Experience
- 12:25 Data Management and Cloud Adoption
- 19:32 Business Impact and Future Prospects
Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sergeiazernikov/
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In this episode, the host chats with Beth Falder, AVP of Data Management and Analytics at Nuvance Health, about handling the flood of new technologies in healthcare. They dive into the challenges of data governance, the excitement and chaos of Gen AI, and balancing legacy data with new innovations. The discussion includes collaboration within the healthcare community, managing clinical versus back office data, and leveraging big partners like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft. Beth also shares tips on resource allocation, dealing with technical debt, and preparing for future tech advancements.
Highlights:
- 01:10 Challenges in Data Management
- 02:32 The Role of Data Governance
- 04:14 Balancing Innovation and Resources
- 04:59 Impact of Gen AI on Healthcare
- 06:32 Addressing Data Technical Debt
- 10:55 Evaluating New Technologies
- 16:06 Leveraging Clinical Data
Guest:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beth-falder-data-fanatic/
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In this episode, Amir talks with Nathan Fabian, Managing Director and Head of Talent at WestCap, about the essential qualities of great leaders. They explore the complexities of hiring leadership, assessing unique attributes, and balancing speed with thoroughness in the recruitment process. Nathan shares WestCap's approach, focusing on five key attributes—principles, curiosity, decisiveness, team management, and vision—that predict leadership success. They also discuss culture fit, leveraging networks, and building and retaining a diverse, high-performing leadership team.
Highlights:
- 01:48 Defining Leadership and Key Attributes
- 03:12 The Five Archetypes of Founders
- 05:37 Assessing Leadership Attributes
- 12:37 Balancing Speed and Thoroughness in Hiring
- 16:39 Onboarding and Integrating New Leaders
- 18:57 Hiring for Now vs. Future Potential
- 21:13 Focusing on Strengths vs. Weaknesses
Nathan's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanfabian/
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Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
In this episode, Chris Morgan, VP of Data Science at Lincoln Financial Group, dives into the evolving landscape of data culture. He discusses the impact of generative AI (Gen AI) on data practices, managing tech debt, and aligning stakeholder expectations. Chris emphasizes the importance of data governance, quality, literacy, and sharing strategies and analogies for fostering a robust data culture. He also addresses balancing immediate delivery with long-term vision in data management within a large, traditional organization.
Highlights:
- 01:08 Defining Data Culture
- 03:17 The Importance of Stakeholder Engagement
- 10:05 Balancing Technical Debt and Emerging Trends
- 16:31 Managing Expectations with Gen AI
Guest:
Chris Morgan has always been passionate about numbers and data, finding Statistics as the ideal application of math. He excels at the intersection of data and strategy, leading teams to provide clear, actionable insights. Chris combines technical expertise, business acumen, and strong communication skills to align data science capabilities with organizational goals. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, playing Euchre, outdoor activities, and addressing the issue of texting and driving.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morganchristopher/
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In this episode, Amir chats with Brajesh Jha, SVP and Global Business Leader of Data Tech and AI at Genpact, about scaling Generative AI (Gen AI). They explore what 'Gen AI at scale' means, drawing parallels with past technological waves like computerization and robotic process automation. Topics include the importance of data quality, strategic and technological considerations, and reimagining business models to leverage AI effectively. Brajesh shares Genpact's transformation journey and practical advice for harnessing Gen AI's power, emphasizing a strategic, data-driven, AI-first mindset.
Highlights:
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01:21 Understanding Gen AI at Scale
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02:14 Historical Context of Technological Evolution
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05:09 Challenges and Opportunities with Gen AI
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05:48 Apple Intelligence and Data Utilization
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12:10 Strategic Considerations for Gen AI
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15:23 Importance of Data Quality
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18:31 Steps for Successful Gen AI Implementation
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23:38 Future of Gen AI in Business
Guest:
Brajesh Jha is a Senior Executive with over two decades of experience in professional services at multi-billion-dollar technology companies. Currently, he leads Genpact's Technology, Media, and Entertainment vertical, managing global business operations that deploy Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, and Intelligent Automation capabilities. He also drives co-innovation with various micro-segments, including studios, cable providers, publishers, entertainment companies, and advertising agencies, to build new operating models and enhance customer experiences.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brajeshjha
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In this episode, Amir talks with JD Hannick, an Executive Advisor to Fortune 500 and private equity firms with a deep background in consumer data from Foot Locker, Adobe, and Booz Allen Hamilton. JD discusses the transformation of consumer data, the role of AI and machine learning, and the importance of first-party data. They also explore how private equity firms use data for efficiency and growth in changing economic conditions and the future role of generative AI in enhancing customer experiences.
Highlights:
- 01:28 Consumer Experience and Industry Insights
- 03:11 AI and Machine Learning in Consumer Industries
- 06:00 The Role of First-Party Data
- 10:51 Private Equity and Data Initiatives
- 13:51 Future of Gen AI in Consumer Industries
Guest:
JD Hannick is a senior executive known for building high-performing, engaged teams in next-generation data analytics, AI, machine learning, generative AI, personalization, and enhanced customer experience. With experience across various global Fortune 100 organizations, JD helps these companies, as well as private equity firms and their portfolio companies, transform into data-driven businesses. He is sought after for forming strategic initiatives, building investment cases, and realizing value creation through innovative data use.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannick/
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In this podcast episode, Amir welcomes Arjun Bansal, CEO of Log10, to discuss the ongoing challenges and solutions surrounding Large Language Model (LLM) accuracy. Arjun recounts his unique journey from computational neuroscience to founding AI-focused companies. They delve into the concept of 'hallucinations' in AI, the black box nature of LLMs, and the critical need for accurate AI systems in various domains. Arjun explains how Log10 provides a platform to measure and improve LLM accuracy and shares insights on the future of AI applications, including the transition from narrow to general AI and the importance of balancing proprietary and open-source models. The discussion also touches on strategies enterprises can adopt to mitigate hallucination risks and enhance accuracy in AI deployments.
Highlights
00:47 Arjun Bansal's Background and Log10 Overview
04:45 Understanding LLM Hallucinations
09:58 Challenges and Solutions in LLM Accuracy
16:02 Future of AI and Practical Implementations
Arjun Bansal is an entrepreneur and AI expert focused on understanding and building intelligent systems. He is currently CEO & co-founder of Log10.io, a platform for measuring and improving the accuracy of LLM applications and agents. Arjun previously co-founded Nervana Systems (acq. Intel) and XOKind (AI agents for travel). Arjun's career spans research in brain-machine interfaces, building AI processors, and AI sidekicks.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunbansal/https://arjunbansal.substack.com/
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In this episode, we dive into the nuances of how founders can effectively hire go-to-market leaders with Atli Thorkelsson, VP of Talent Network at Redpoint Ventures. The conversation covers founders' challenges in these roles, the timing and dynamics of such hires, and the importance of founder-led sales in the early stages. Atli emphasizes the need for candidates who can execute immediately while having the potential to grow with the company. The discussion also explores the intricacies of hiring outside a founder's skill set, the significance of setting up for holistic success, and the critical aspect of surrounding oneself with knowledgeable people. Atli provides insights into what to look for in candidates, highlighting the importance of long-term thinking, cultural fit, and the ability to scale with the company. The episode is rich in advice for founders on navigating the hiring process, from the initial job definition to engaging with potential candidates for long-term roles.
Highlights
00:50 The Challenge of Hiring Go-to-Market Leaders
01:23 When to Hire Go-to-Market Leaders: Insights from Atli
02:32 The Importance of Hiring for Now and Future Growth
03:07 Navigating the Hiring Process: Strategies and Challenges
08:35 Identifying the Right Sales Leadership Qualities
16:57 Advice for Founders on Hiring and Onboarding
Guest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/atlit/
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In this episode, Amir Bormand interviews Amie Bright, VP of Enterprise Data and Analytics at GitLab, about the importance of data governance, especially in the context of generative AI. Amie explains GitLab's role as an AI-powered DevSecOps platform and discusses strategies to ensure data quality and governance in modern data volumes. The conversation covers the traditional challenges data teams face and the transformative impact of generative AI on those practices. Amie also shares insights from her career and current work at GitLab, emphasizing the need for proper metadata management, certified data sources, and the shifting perception of data governance from a hindrance to an enabler of efficiency and innovation.
Highlights
01:29 Data Governance and Its Importance
04:53 Challenges and Evolution with Generative AI
07:52 Changing Perceptions and Measuring Accuracy
13:23 Future of Data Governance with Gen AI
Guest:
Amie Bright is an accomplished data and analytics leader with expertise in data management, architecture, integration, warehousing, science, and business intelligence. She excels at creating data strategies that align with long-term organizational goals.
Amie is skilled in leading data teams to implement modern, cloud-based data solutions, including ingestion, pipeline orchestration, repositories, governance, security, advanced analytics, and business intelligence.
She effectively motivates diverse teams and builds strong relationships across organizational boundaries to achieve analytics objectives.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amie-bright-03329820/
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In this episode, Amir Bormand interviews Peter Maynard, Chief Data and Analytics Officer at Guardian Life, discussing innovative thinking in the age of AI. Peter shares insights into how Guardian Life, a 160-year-old insurance company, leverages AI and data products to improve consumer and group business services. The conversation delves into the challenges and strategies of integrating new technologies into established processes, the importance of lifelong learning, and the balance between technical understanding and business value. Peter also emphasizes the role of trust, leadership, and creating space for innovation within teams to drive organizational transformation.
Highlights:
03:13 Embracing Change and Innovation in a Legacy Company
03:36 The Impact of ChatGPT and Continuous Learning
07:06 Navigating the Complexities of AI and Leadership
22:08 Fostering a Culture of Innovation and Learning
Guest:
Dr. Peter Maynard is the Chief Data and Analytics Officer at Guardian Life, a position he has held since 2022. He previously worked at Equifax, where he served as Senior VP of USIS Data and Analytics. Before joining Equifax in 2013 as SVP of Enterprise Analytics, Maynard spent over a decade at Capital One as a Model Risk Officer and VP of Global Financial Services. He was an Outcomes Analyst at Heritage Information Systems earlier in his career. Dr. Maynard holds a BS in Economics from the University of Rhode Island and a Master's Degree and PhD in Economics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-maynard-0b4b17/
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In this podcast episode, Bob Stefanski, Co-founder and Managing Director of eLab Ventures joins Amir to discuss the promising future and current landscape of AI startups. They explore the significant room for growth in AI, particularly in the context of valuations, and the importance of giving founders time to pivot. Stefanski emphasizes the focus on early-stage investments in AI, highlighting the continued relevance of deep learning and the promising potential of generative AI. The discussion covers AI founders' evolving characteristics, unique data sets' impact, and the shift towards more accessible AI application development tools. Additionally, Stefanski provides insights into the differentiation between 'true AI companies' and those merely using AI as a buzzword.
Highlights
01:38 The AI Landscape and Market Potential
04:11 Investing in AI Startups
06:41 Characteristics of Successful AI Founders
08:25 Functional vs. Generative AI
14:49 Valuations and Market Trends
18:01 Defining a True AI Company
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This episode features a conversation with Maria Latushkin, Group VP of Technology and Engineering at Albertsons, discussing AI's role in supply chain management. The discussion encompasses assessing AI options, prioritizing initiatives, and pilot programs for implementing AI solutions efficiently and effectively. The episode covers the strategic approach to AI adoption, including mistake avoidance, decision-making processes from an executive perspective, and leveraging AI for operational improvements and customer value enhancement. It also touches on the impact of COVID-19 on supply chain perceptions and innovations, the significance of data management, and the balance between building bespoke solutions versus leveraging external partnerships.
Highlights
01:05 The Role of AI in Decision-Making and Supply Chain Optimization
03:14 Leveraging AI for Supply Chain Efficiency and Innovation
04:13 Impact of COVID-19 on Supply Chain Dynamics
07:24 Adapting to Change: Speed, Technology, and Customer Experience
08:14 The Future of Engineering and AI in Business Strategy
17:12 Building vs. Buying in the Gen AI Era
21:30 Pilot Programs and Assessing ROI with Gen AI
Guest:
Maria Latushkin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-latushkin-799700/
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In this episode, Amir Bormand interviews David Ayers, SVP of Engineering at Invitation Homes. They delve into the intricacies of hiring in the engineering space, emphasizing the importance of assessing skills, consistency, continuous improvement, and potential over perfect technical ability. Ayers discusses Invitation Homes' approach to interviewing, the importance of understanding technical and soft skills, and the benefits of behavioral-based questions. They also explore the evolving role of co-pilot tools in engineering and how engineers can focus more on problem-solving and understanding business needs. The discussion includes strategies for making hiring decisions, handling mismatches, and learning from hiring experiences.
Highlights
01:05 Hiring in Engineering: Key Attributes
03:22 Balancing Soft and Technical Skills
04:34 Behavioral-Based Interviewing
07:09 Technical Assessments and Programming Languages
10:45 The Future of Programming with AI
17:09 The Imperfection of Hiring
Guest:
David Ayers: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidaayers/
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In this episode, Amir hosts Healey Cypher, CEO at BoomPop and COO at Atomic. The discussion covers various aspects of being a good and successful founder, what makes an idea backable, and the differences between successful and unsuccessful entrepreneurs. Healey shares his background as a serial entrepreneur and gives insights into his companies, BoomPop and Atomic. The conversation includes key considerations for making a business VC backable, understanding total addressable market size, the importance of trust in entrepreneurship, and tips on identifying your strengths and complementing them with the right team. Healey also emphasizes continuous learning and practical financial knowledge for entrepreneurs.
Highlights
00:35 Background and Career Journey
01:43 The Rise of BoomPop
04:02 What Makes a Good Founder?
06:23 VC Backable Ideas vs. Lifestyle Businesses
12:05 Execution and Skill Development for Founders
18:43 Building Trust as a Founder
Healey Cypher is the CEO of BoomPop, and Chief Operating Officer / Partner of Atomic. He has spent his career building and selling companies that center around great customer experience. Healey sold his last two companies: ZIVELO which he sold to Verifone in 2019 after 15 months of taking the reins as CEO, and Oak Labs, which he sold to Zivelo in 2018. Before that, Healey was the Head of Retail Innovation at eBay. Chief of Staff to the CTO of eBay, and lead all business development for milo.com which he helped sell to ebay in 2010.
He has been recognized as Silicon Valley Business Journal’s “40 under 40,” WWD’s “Ten of Tomorrow,” and one of Goldman Sach’s “Top 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs.” He has also done dozens of keynotes and live TV (most nerve-wracking: CNBC Closing Bell, for sure.)
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In this episode, Amir Bormand is joined by Willem Koenders, the Global Leader in Data Strategy at ZS, to discuss the intricacies of AI and Generative AI (Gen AI) data strategies. The conversation delves into the unique challenges and considerations that companies face when implementing AI strategies, emphasizing the importance of data quality, governance, and realistic expectations. Willem shares insights on the evolution of data trends and how businesses can leverage past learnings to enhance their current AI initiatives. They also explore industry-specific impacts, decision-making for adopting AI, and the vital role of foundational data management in ensuring successful AI implementation.
Highlights
01:54 AI and Gen AI Data Strategies
02:57 Realism and Expectations in AI Implementation
04:33 Data Management Foundations
06:56 Challenges with Legacy Data
08:37 Strategic Approaches to Data and AI
11:01 Future of AI in Enterprises
18:57 Preparing for AI Implementation
21:13 Privacy and Ethics in AI
Guest:
Willem Koenders is a global leader in data strategy at ZS Associates, boasting 10 years of experience advising top organizations on leveraging data to gain and maintain a competitive edge. He has worked with clients across Europe, Asia, the United States, and Latin America. Formerly, he led Deloitte’s data strategy and data management practice for Spanish Latin America. Willem is passionate about data-driven transformations and strongly advocates for data governance by design.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/koenders-willem
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This podcast episode features Matt Robben, Co-founder and CTO of Serif Health, discussing the importance of full-stack engineering hires and how to manage operational growth within hiring constraints. Serif Health, a price transparency data company in healthcare, navigates the challenges of being a small seed-stage startup with a limited hiring budget by prioritizing full-stack capabilities to ensure flexibility and comprehensive problem-solving. Matt highlights the transition from hiring generalist engineers to specialists as the company grows and delves into specific areas like data engineering and artificial intelligence, where specialization becomes critical. He shares insights on identifying talent that showcases eagerness and versatility, underscoring the value of adaptability in the fast-evolving tech landscape. The episode also touches on the interview process, supporting team growth towards specialization, and maintaining a balance between immediate needs and future potential in hiring decisions.
Highlights
00:22 Exploring the Trend Towards Full Stack Engineering
00:44 Introducing Serif Health: A Price Transparency Data Company
01:17 The Strategic Value of Full Stack Engineers in Startups
04:38 The Shift to Specialization: When and Why It Happens
08:20 Navigating Hiring Challenges and Interview Processes
12:31 Fostering Growth and Flexibility Within Engineering Teams
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Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
This episode features Dennis Mortensen, CEO and Co-founder of LaunchBrightly, returning as a guest to discuss the entrepreneurial mindset, his experiences as a serial entrepreneur, and the journey of his latest venture post-x.ai. Dennis shares insights on the importance of solving real pains, the dynamics of pivoting in entrepreneurship, and the personal philosophy that guides him through the ups and downs of startup life. He emphasizes the joy in the entrepreneurial process, the necessity of embracing the sport of entrepreneurship for its own sake, and strategies for maintaining balance, such as his practice of taking long walks for reflection. Additionally, Dennis extends an open invitation to the audience for further engagement and mentorship.
Highlights
00:36 The Evolution of x.ai and Launching LaunchBrightly
01:52 The Birth of a New Venture: Automating Product Screenshots
04:02 Entrepreneurial Mindset: Sticking to the Pain Points
16:59 The Emotional Rollercoaster of Entrepreneurship
23:20 The Love of the Game: Entrepreneurship as a Lifestyle
28:16 Pivoting: When to Stick and When to Shift
32:47 Staying Centered: Dennis's Personal Strategy
Guest links:
LaunchBrightly: https://launchbrightly.com/
Dennis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennismortensen/
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.
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Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
This episode features a detailed discussion with Akshay Swaminathan, a data scientist with significant contributions to health systems improvement, including 40 peer-reviewed publications and features in the New York Times. Currently an AI Researcher, medical student, and PhD candidate at Stanford University, Swaminathan discusses the potential of data science in healthcare, emphasizing the importance of delivering the right treatment to the right patient at the right time. The conversation covers domain specificity in data science, the trend of healthcare professionals engaging in data science, the importance of cross-functional teams, and the role of traditional IT and data science projects in healthcare. Swaminathan also introduces his book, 'Winning with Data Science,' designed to help non-technical domain experts collaborate effectively with data scientists. The episode highlights the potential obstacles to data-driven healthcare solutions, including data quality, biases, interoperability, and data sharing, and suggests starting with identifying key problems before applying data science solutions.
Highlights:
00:38 The Power of Data in Healthcare Delivery
02:03 The Unique Blend of Healthcare and Data Science Expertise
02:52 Cross-Functional Teams: A Trend in Healthcare Data Science
04:56 Empowering Domain Experts to Leverage Data Science
10:35 Case Study: Improving Crisis Response Times at Cerebral
13:30 The Future of AI in Healthcare: Automation and Co-Pilot Solutions
17:41 Challenges and Solutions for Data in Healthcare AI
24:09 Practical Advice for Leveraging Data in Healthcare
Guest:
.Akshay Swaminathan is a data scientist who works on strengthening health systems. He has more than forty peer-reviewed publications, and his work has been featured in the New York Times and STAT. Previously, he was a data scientist at Flatiron Health and Head of Data Science at Cerebral. He is currently an AI researcher and MD/PhD candidate at Stanford University.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akshay-swaminathan-68286b51
Book: https://cup.columbia.edu/book/winning-with-data-science/9780231206860
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.
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Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
This podcast episode features an in-depth conversation with Zach LaValley, EVP of Engineering at RapidSOS, discussing the transition towards holistic awareness in public safety. The conversation touches on the challenges of disconnected data, the evolution from landlines to mobile and IoT devices, and the significance of consistent data across distributed systems. RapidSOS's role in moving data from devices to emergency services for better decision-making, the importance of location services, and the complexity of integrating multiple data points are highlighted. Additionally, the discussion explores the future of 911 services with AI, the impact of data privacy, and the technical challenges of creating reliable and speedy responses in emergencies. Zach also sheds light on the ongoing efforts to enhance the effectiveness of 911 call centers and emergency responses through advanced mapping, cloud-based systems, and partnerships with OS providers and device manufacturers. The episode concludes with thoughts on public adoption and the potential of AI to improve emergency services.
Highlights:
01:16 The Evolution of Emergency Response: From Landlines to Digital Ecosystems
03:30 Navigating the Complexities of 911 Call Centers and Data Routing
04:50 The Technical Backbone: Cloud Systems and Data Management
05:36 Enhancing 911 with Technology: Partnerships and Privacy Concerns
11:08 Engineering Challenges: Balancing Speed and Reliability
14:37 Testing and Deployment: Ensuring System Integrity
17:23 The Future of Emergency Services: AI and Public Perception
Guest:
A lifelong learner, Zach LaValley is passionate about helping companies achieve their strategic goals through technology. He has a proven ability to create and scale successful business solutions and is adept at managing medium to large organizations with a diverse technical skill set. Experienced in agile methodologies, Zach combines excellent communication skills with technical acumen, enabling him to deliver in fast-paced and ever-changing environments.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zlavalley/
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.
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Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
In this podcast episode, Harrison Tang, CEO and Co-founder of Spokeo, discusses Gen AI's role in data creation and the complexities of entity resolution. Spokeo is highlighted as a leading platform that organizes billions of records to resolve millions of entities for user verification. The conversation delves into the nature of identity in both the physical and digital worlds, the challenges of comparing vast amounts of data, and the criteria for establishing the truth within data sets. The discussion also covers the impact of generative AI on data creation, emphasizing the importance of data quality from inception and the evolving landscape of data privacy and security. The episode concludes with insights into the future of entity resolution technology and the ongoing need to discern truth in an era of increasing digital fabrication.
Highlights
02:01 The Complex World of Entity Resolution
03:28 Challenges in Data Processing and Entity Resolution
05:20 The Role of Generative AI in Data Creation
16:02 Navigating the Future of Data Verification and Privacy
Harrison Tang is a CEO, Co-Founder and President at Spokeo.
Harrison Tang is the founder and president of Spokeo, which he created in 2006 with a group of four friends from Stanford University. They envisioned a new way to approach social networks by providing an easy user interface to keep track of friends’ activities online. Since then, Spokeo
has grown into a leading people search engine, reconnecting individuals to others all across the United States.
As founder and president, Harrison is responsible for the overall direction and product strategy for the company. He leads the team focusing on building an easy-to-use system that can aggregate billions of records and return results within one second.
Harrison grew up in the Silicon Valley. He attended Stanford University and received his Bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Electrical Engineering and his Master’s in Electrical Engineering in 2005.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tangtalks/
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.
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Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
This podcast episode features Dr. Andrea Isoni, the Chief AI Officer at AI Technologies, discussing AI's current and future integration into everyday life and the corporate world. Isoni highlights how AI already serves as a co-pilot in many aspects of daily activities and how it is adopted across various industries like cybersecurity and manufacturing automation. He also touches on the media's impact on AI perception and the potential for more complex, integrated solutions. The conversation covers the importance of AI in enhancing efficiency and the critical role of Cybersecurity as AI adoption increases. Isoni emphasizes that while AI adoption in enterprises may be slower due to legacy systems and regulations, the consumer market quickly embraces AI tools. He also discusses the evolution of software development, predicting a shift towards more integration, customization, and assurance roles rather than traditional programming.
Highlights
02:06 The Current State of AI Adoption
03:26 AI in Everyday Life and Future Technologies
07:05 AI's Impact on Industries and Consumer Adoption
10:51 Evaluating ROI in AI Projects
14:49 Adoption Challenges and Trust in AI
26:32 The Future of AI, Cybersecurity, and Job Evolution
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.
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In this podcast episode, Amir Bormand speaks with Nir Kaldero, Chief Data and AI Officer at NEORIS, about AI adoption from a leadership viewpoint. They delve into prioritizing business drivers, evaluating pilot programs, and ensuring investments lead to desired outcomes. NEORIS's role as a digital accelerator in assisting enterprises with their AI journeys is highlighted, emphasizing the importance of blending AI for cost savings and growth. Nir introduces a 'speed to value' methodology focusing on sponsorship, ROI, business readiness, and technical feasibility to prioritize AI projects effectively. Common mistakes enterprises make in AI adoption are discussed, alongside the potential of generative AI to revolutionize fields like customer service and analytics. The conversation underlines the necessity of aligning AI initiatives with business strategy and securing top-down support to ensure success and meaningful impact.
Highlights
01:17 The Role of AI in Business: A Leadership Perspective
04:50 Prioritizing Business Drivers and Pilot Programs in AI
05:49 The Four Pillars of Successful AI Adoption
12:58 Real-world Challenges and Opportunities in AI Implementation
14:39 Generative AI: Mistakes to Avoid and Opportunities to Seize
25:33 The Importance of Business Strategy in AI Adoption
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.
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Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
In this podcast episode, we discuss the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in cybersecurity, specifically how it can help close the skill gap in the field, with Shashank Tiwari, Co-founder and CEO of uno.ai. The conversation covers the background and mission of uno.ai, the challenges posed by the large number of job openings versus the number of qualified cybersecurity professionals, and the rapid evolution of threats. Tiwari highlights how AI, including large language models and generative AI, can address these challenges by supplementing human tasks, improving efficiency, and enabling proactive threat management. He also delves into the importance of trust, explainability, and user interface in adopting AI in cybersecurity. The discussion concludes with thoughts on the future of AI and cybersecurity integration and how these technologies can evolve to support cybersecurity professionals further.
Highlights
01:44 Addressing the Cybersecurity Skill Gap Challenge
05:30 The Role of AI in Bridging the Cybersecurity Skill Gap
08:56 Adoption and Trust in AI for Cybersecurity
20:00 Enhancing User Interface and Interaction with AI
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player. Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.comHave questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests? Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
In this podcast episode, Deepak Jose, a Data Analytics and AI Expert with experience in companies like Coca-Cola, ABB, Asurion, and Mars, discusses the importance of adopting a value-first mindset over a technology-first approach in leveraging data and analytics for decision-making. He emphasizes the need to invert the traditional pyramid approach by identifying key business problems and their value, thereby prioritizing business outcomes. Deepak shares insights on building adaptable and flexible data architectures that can support rapid experimentation and leverage new technologies like Generative AI (Gen AI), advocating for a future-proof and agile mindset in data analytics. He also underlines the significance of responsible AI usage, the need for a desirability, viability, and feasibility framework for prioritizing AI initiatives, and strategies for enhancing adoption and upscaling to maximize the benefits of AI tools. The conversation includes the concept of AI champions within organizations and concludes with Deepak sharing an inspirational quote from Mother Teresa, encouraging listeners to pursue their passions with great love.
Highlights
00:15 The Power of Data Analytics in Decision-Making
01:25 Inverting the Data Pyramid: A Value-First Approach
04:55 The Importance of Flexibility and Adaptability in Data Architecture
07:07 Navigating the Future with Generative AI
09:30 Building Solutions with a Business Problem-First Mindset
21:32 The Role of AI Champions in Business Transformation
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player. Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.comHave questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests? Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
In this podcast episode, Amir Bormand and guest Santona Tuli, the Head of Data at Upsolver, discuss the complexities of modern data projects and the evolving strategies for data design focused on data lake houses. They explore Upsolver's role in simplifying data ingestion and transformation, the challenges of adapting to advanced data projects without the right infrastructure, and the shift towards more accessible and abstracted data tools. Additionally, they touch upon the importance of aligning tool adoption with business needs, the potential pitfalls of rushing into trendy technologies without clear objectives, and the future of data deployment solutions.
Highlights:
02:00 The Importance of Data Design Strategies
02:26 Challenges in Implementing Complex Data Projects
03:09 The Role of Data Infrastructure and Architecture
05:57 The Evolution of Data Projects and Infrastructure
06:33 The Inevitability of Adding More Data Projects
07:48 The Emergence of the Lakehouse Concept
08:38 The Journey to Cloud and Advanced Solutions
14:53 The Challenge of Modernizing Data Stack
20:29 The Role of Tools in Modern Data Stack
25:54 Risks of Pushing for Advanced Data Solutions
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player. Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.comHave questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests? Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
This podcast episode features Vidya Eashwer, CTO at Forge, discussing the evolution and significance of treating data as core engineering within the tech industry. Highlighting the shift in perception towards data from a backend supportive role to a critical product element, Vidya shares insights from her career experiences, including her time at the New York Stock Exchange, to illustrate how data has become a foundational aspect of software engineering and product development. The conversation also covers the alignment of data engineering with software engineering best practices, the impact of AI on data strategy, and the importance of reliable, timely data for customer engagement and internal decision-making. Furthermore, Vidya discusses how the structure and positioning of data teams within an organization can enhance operational efficiency, product innovation, and customer satisfaction.
Highlights
00:10 Understanding Data as Core Engineering
00:48 Forge: A Global Private Securities Marketplace
01:11 The Evolution of Data in Engineering
03:55 Data: From Backend to Frontline in Customer Engagement
06:50 Aligning Data Engineering with Software Best Practices
08:07 The Role of Data in Product Management and Engineering
11:31 Data Integrity and Customer Engagement
15:39 Streamlining Operations with Data Engineering
18:15 Leveraging AI for Operational Efficiency and Innovation
Vidya Eashwer is the CTO of Forge. She has18+ years of experience creating and executing innovative fintech technology strategies. She's the former Head of Technology, Edge Systems, at Intercontinental Exchange and was the Managing Director of IT at the New York Stock Exchange, managing international teams.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/vidya-eashwer/
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.comHave questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
In this podcast episode, Michel Tricot, CEO and Co-founder of Airbyte, discusses the nuances of startup culture, including the importance of company values, the difference between startup and corporate cultures, and strategies for hiring people who align with those values. Tricot shares insights on Airbyte’s approach to data movement, the company’s growth, and how they maintain and evolve their company culture as they scale. The conversation also covers the critical aspect of dealing with risk and uncertainty in a startup environment, the significance of being a 'CEO of your project,' and the role of feedback and company values in guiding behavior and decision-making.
Highlights
01:22 Diving into Startup Culture: Definitions and Distinctions
02:14 Evolving Company Values at Airbyte
03:43 The Hiring Process: Aligning with Company Values
07:08 Embracing Failure and Learning from It
08:41 Maintaining Culture and Values in a Growing Startup
11:45 Revisiting and Reinforcing Company Values Regularly
20:48 Advice for Startups on Establishing Company Values
Michel Tricot is the co-founder and CEO of Airbyte, the leading open-source data integration platform that allows replicating data from any APIs, databases & files to data warehouses, data lakes, and any other destinations. Currently, the Airbyte user community is more than 18,000 members and Airbyte has been deployed more than 140,000 times. Airbyte has more than 350 data connectors available for its data integration platform. That is more than any other competitor or platform and accomplished in the company’s 3 years history. The company raised over $180M from Accel, Altimeter, Benchmark, Coatue, and Y Combinator.Prior to starting Airbyte, Michel was a founding member & Director of Engineering at rideOS, and Head of Integrations and Director of Engineering at LiveRamp.With Airbyte, Michel aims to solve one of engineers’ biggest problems with data: break down all data silos and make data accessible and available to everyone, everywhere.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/micheltricot/https://www.linkedin.com/company/airbytehq
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.
Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.comHave questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
This podcast episode features Karim Galil, CEO of Mendel AI, discussing the future of domain-specific AI, especially in the healthcare sector. Galil elaborates on how Mendel AI utilizes domain-specific AI to sift through clinical data more accurately and efficiently, providing previously unattainable insights. The conversation touches on the challenges generalized AI models face, especially those developed by large tech companies, emphasizing the importance of domain specificity in areas like healthcare, where precision is crucial. Additionally, the podcast explores the concept of narrow AI and its potential integration into broader AI systems, highlighting the importance of talent over data or models in developing effective AI solutions. The discussion also addresses adoption challenges within the healthcare industry, suggesting a strategic approach to introducing AI technologies to stakeholders, from technical users to clinicians. Finally, Galil shares his perspective on the impact of AI on user experience and the importance of distinguishing between fluency and true intelligence in AI models.
Highlights:
01:51 Challenges of AI Models from Large Tech Firms
02:27 The Reality of AI Technology Today
03:08 The Problem with AI in Healthcare
04:00 Misconceptions about AI Fluency and Intelligence
05:31 The Future of AI: Narrow AI vs AGI
09:27 The Importance of Talent in AI Development
15:28 Adoption of AI in Healthcare
19:57 The Role of AI in Clinical Practice
Karim Galil, MD, is co-founder and CEO of Mendel AI. Mendel’s mission is to make medicine objective by enabling the world’s largest index of patient journeys, leveraging AI that understands medicine like a physician. Dr. Galil’s experience as a physician demonstrated that medicine does not advance at the same rate as technology. With Mendel, he aims to bridge this gap, facilitate clinical research at scale, and make medicine truly objective.
Karim is an entrepreneur by spirit; his first company, Kryptonworx, led health tech in the MENA region with customers including Fortune 500 companies.
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.
Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.com
Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
This episode features Loic Houssier, Senior VP of Engineering at Productboard, discussing the journey and challenges of transitioning from mid-level management to top-tier executive roles within an organization. It covers essential aspects such as the roles and responsibilities at different management levels, from manager to VP, and the crucial skills needed for advancement, including delegation, decision-making, and influencing across teams. Additionally, the talk delves into Productboard's mission and functionality, emphasizing its utility for product managers in streamlining customer feedback, prioritization, and integration with execution tools. The conversation also highlights personal growth strategies for managers aspiring to executive positions, the importance of external networking and mentorship, and recognizing the often overlooked emotional and strategic complexities of climbing the corporate ladder.
Highlights:
03:52 The Journey Up the Management Ladder: Challenges and Skills
05:41 Understanding the Roles: From Manager to Senior Manager
08:22 The Leap to Director: Managing Managers and Budgets
10:28 Ascending to VP: A Shift in Perspective and Responsibilities
14:36 Navigating the Transition: From IC to Manager and Beyond
20:10 The Importance of Delegation and Decision-Making in Leadership
28:49 Expanding Your Network: The Key to Navigating Management Isolation
As the Senior Vice President of Engineering at Productboard, Loic Houssier leads a global team of engineers building the leading product management platform for remote teams. He has over 18 years of experience in engineering leadership and executive management across various industries and regions.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/houssier/
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.
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Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
In this podcast episode, Jay Nanduri, CTO and Co-founder of Truveta, shares his journey from spending over 20 years at Microsoft to founding a healthcare data company. Jay discusses the personal reasons behind his shift to healthcare, motivated by his family's struggles with cancer and the difficulties of transferring medical records. He also touches on the challenges of leaving a well-established company like Microsoft, the differences in working in a startup versus a large corporation, and the importance of purpose, trust, risk management, and financial planning in building a new company. Jay's story highlights the value of leveraging one's network, reputation, and experience in entrepreneurial ventures.
Highlights:
00:10 The Genesis of Truveta: From Microsoft to Healthcare Innovation
03:22 Personal Motivations: A Family's Health Crisis Sparks a Vision
05:32 The Leap of Faith: Transitioning from Microsoft to Startup Life
10:42 The Startup Journey: Challenges, Insights, and the Drive for Purpose
20:47 Reflections and Advice: Navigating the Startup Ecosystem
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.
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Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
In this podcast episode, Mo Villagran, Associate Director of Insights, Analytics, and Data at Cambrex and author of 'Data Insights Delivered', shares her insights on managing stakeholder expectations and delivering expected value in data analytics. She explains Cambrex's role as a global CDMO in the pharmaceutical industry and highlights the importance of customer service in technical fields. Mo asserts that the core of managing stakeholder expectations and delivering value lies in simple, effective communication and starting with manageable, scalable solutions. She emphasizes showing progress in real-time to stakeholders, the significance of qualitative feedback over quantitative KPIs, and the importance of prioritizing projects that directly impact the company's financial performance. The conversation also touches on the challenges of integrating new technologies and focusing on business outcomes over technological complexities.
Highlights:
02:12 The Essence of Stakeholder Expectation Management
02:22 The Importance of Customer Service in Data Analytics
03:32 Balancing Technology and Business Outcomes
05:00 Defining and Delivering Value to Stakeholders
08:39 The Art of Negotiation and Setting Expectations
10:53 Choosing Simplicity Over Complexity in Solutions
17:38 Demonstrating Progress and Value in Real-Time
21:47 Measuring Success Beyond Quantitative Metrics
Mo Villagran is a data concierge, an experienced business analytics veteran, is well-versed in data analytics and healthcare across sectors, including pharmaceutical manufacturing, fraud detection, insurance pricing, etc.In her current role, Mo established Cambrex's first business analytics program and now leads global cross-functional teams to deliver automated visualization and AI-enabled automation processes, providing actionable insights. Her goal is to deliver a world-class stakeholder experience in data analytics.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mo-villagran/
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.
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Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
This podcast episode features Gregg Altschul, the Vice President of Technology at FanDuel. The discussion focuses on aligning personal, team, and company goals to reduce conflicts, enhance goal setting, and improve transparency across the board. Altschul shares insights on FanDuel's business operations, including its role as a leading online sportsbook and its iGaming division. He explains the top-down process of setting goals at FanDuel, highlighting the importance of ensuring that individual and team objectives support overarching company goals. Altschul discusses how he manages goal alignment within his organization, emphasizing the significance of transparency, understanding employees' personal growth goals, and the role of succession planning. He also touches on fostering a culture that supports employees' long-term career aspirations, even if those plans include leaving the company. The conversation delves into the importance of having a 'North Star'—a long-term goal or vision—to guide one's career development and the necessity of open communication between managers and their teams to achieve effective goal alignment.
Highlights
01:12 The Importance of Goal Alignment
02:18 The Process of Setting Goals
03:38 Translating Goals to Different Levels
04:55 Maintaining Transparency in Goal Setting
06:50 Balancing Personal and Company Goals
09:11 Creating a Safe Space for Open Discussions
09:27 The Role of Trust in Goal Setting
11:14 The Shift in Employee Retention Perspective
17:37 The Importance of Long-Term Growth Goals
20:23 The Role of North Star Goals in Career Development
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.
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Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?
Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
In this podcast episode, Otkrist Gupta, VP of Research and Development at LendBuzz, talks about the process he utilizes to evaluate machine learning (ML) models and handle the ever-changing landscape of ML with his team. He also highlights the core role of ML in the creation of LendBuzz’s proprietary financial scoring model to assist individuals often underserved in the lending market and explains how continued innovation via in-house development of models has maintained the company's competitive advantage. Gupta provides insights into various projects his R&D team has worked on, from financial to computer vision models, and discusses the balance of research, development, and product delivery. He underscores the importance of having well-defined metrics, continuous model improvement, and keeping current with technology trends. Although not directly involved in measuring particular models' profit and loss impacts, Gupta notes that all team members indirectly contribute to the company’s overall performance.
Highlights:
01:50 Understanding the Lendbuzz Business Model
03:37 Exploring the Role of Research and Development in Fintech
07:35 The Intersection of Machine Learning and Product Development
13:35 The Process of Building and Evaluating ML Models
19:49 The Impact of Machine Learning on Competitive Advantage
23:20 The Relationship Between Machine Learning and Profit & Loss
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.
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Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?
Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
In this podcast episode, Amir Bormand interviews Barb Wixom, a Principal Research Scientist at MIT Sloan's Center for IS Research. They discuss the concept of data monetization, touching on its various aspects, such as the three ways to monetize data, the capabilities needed, governance, and potential challenges with advanced technologies. Wixom emphasizes the importance of understanding an organization's data assets, focusing on quality rather than quantity, and the journey toward improving, wrapping, and selling data. She also talks about her recent book, which packages everything essential to know to succeed with data monetization.
Highlights
00:13 Understanding Data Monetization
01:05 The Role of Research in Data Monetization
01:55 The Evolution of Data Monetization
03:23 The Importance of Language in Data Monetization
05:49 The Three Ways to Monetize Data
06:23 The Challenges of Data Monetization
12:32 The Role of Data Assets in Monetization
16:51 The Journey of Data Monetization
31:57 The Future of Data Monetization
Guest:
Since 1994, Barbara Wixom’s research has explored how organizations generate business value from data assets. Her methods include large-scale surveys, meta-analyses, lab experiments and in-depth case studies; five of her cases have placed in the Society for Information Management Paper Awards competition. Wixom is a leading academic scholar, who regularly presents her work to academic and business audiences around the world.
Wixom joined MIT Sloan in June 2013 to serve as a Principal Research Scientist at the Center for Information Systems Research (CISR). She leads the MIT CISR Data Research Advisory Board, comprised of one hundred data and analytics executives from CISR organizations. Wixom authored her new book Data is Everybody’s Business (MIT Press, September 2023) to inspire workers across organizations to monetize data. She actively works to encourage women, young people, and underrepresented populations to learn about data and pursue data-related careers.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/barb-wixom-0976983/
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In this podcast episode, Naomi Yudanin, the Director of Medical Data at Munich Re, discusses the relevance of domain-specific data science expertise. She shares her journey, starting in biochemistry and molecular biology, transitioning into systems immunology, and eventually ending up in medical data and EHR product management. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the objective of generating insights from data and how clear business objectives and proper questions drive successful data analysis in healthcare. Beyond the typical technical questions, Naomi encourages stakeholders to think about the stories they want to tell with their data. She links them to the business value to derive actionable insights. She also touches on the perception of data quality in the healthcare industry and how the interpretation of analytics can result in different business outcomes.
Highlights
01:42 Understanding the Role of Domain-Specific Knowledge in Data Science
03:33 The Value of Domain Expertise in Data Science
04:24 Challenges and Advantages of Having a Non-Technical Background
07:30 The Importance of Understanding the Data and its Relevance
10:14 The Gap between Business Outcomes and Technical Delivery
16:27 The Role of Data in Achieving Business Outcomes
19:29 The Importance of Telling the Right Story with Data
Dr. Naomi Yudanin is currently the Director of Medical Data at Munich Re, a leading global provider of reinsurance, primary insurance and insurance-related risk solutions. Throughout her career, Naomi has integrated healthcare domain expertise with machine learning approaches to derive clinically relevant insights and provide actionable guidance for health product development and care delivery. Prior to joining Munich Re, Dr. Yudanin led enterprise-wide AI/ML development in several health tech startups, most recently as the Chief Data Scientist at Nanowear. Naomi obtained a PhD in Systems Immunology at Columbia University, where she received the Parker Graduate Award for innovative research, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in computational genomics at Weill Cornell. The results of her research comprise multiple publications in high-impact journals, including Cell, Science, and Nature. Since transitioning to industry, Naomi has been awarded over $2 million in grants and co-authored two patents for AI/ML applications in healthcare. She continues to serve on the NIH study section for translational AI and as an advisor on several SBIR awards and regulatory committees focused on digital health.
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.
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The podcast features Suresh Martha, Head of Data-Driven Innovation and Analytics at EMD Serono, discussing extending technical impact, particularly in AI and Machine Learning. He gives insights into managing technological advances within a team, ensuring resources are utilized efficiently, and delivering capabilities to stakeholders. Martha also elaborates on the challenges of upskilling oneself to understand better and manage new technologies. Further, he explains strategies to evaluate new tools and technologies and ways to upscale resources and highlights the careful balance between exploration and delivery. Strategies to build roadmaps and adapt to emerging technologies and trends, such as generative AI, are also discussed alongside data security and privacy considerations.
Highlights
01:03 Challenges of Leadership in Tech
01:54 Suresh's Role and Responsibilities at EMD Serono
03:25 Approach to New Technologies and Upskilling
05:37 Hiring for New Skills and Roles
11:04 Balancing Technical Skills and Leadership
17:22 Building a Roadmap for Data-Driven Innovation
17:45 Exploring Generative AI and Future Plans
Guest: Suresh Martha is the Head of Data Driven Innovations & Analytics at EMD Serono (US), the healthcare business of Merck KGaA, in Darmstadt, Germany. He is a renowned information technology professional with over 18 years of experience in data warehousing and business intelligence (BI). He is a highly skilled, passionate professional with a proven track record of delivering sophisticated reporting and analytical solutions to stakeholders. He is a senior Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) member. He has participated as a judge for the Stevie Awards, the Globee Awards, the Smart India Hackathon 2022, and the Brandon Hall Excellence Awards. He is a co-mentor for small business owners at SCORE, acts as a Journal Peer Reviewer, and is a renowned speaker.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/suresh-martha-85209629/
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In this podcast episode, Amir interviews John O'Toole, the Senior Director of Data Analytics at Tendo, a software-first company specializing in improving patient care journey. They discuss how Tendo uses data and analytics to improve patient care, help hospitals improve their rankings, and decrease the burden on healthcare providers. Integrating AI as a tool of assistance rather than a replacement in the healthcare industry is emphasized. John also highlights how Tendo creates a centralized, standardized patient data system to ease patient and provider processes. He sees future developments where patient-centric services become increasingly integrated and efficient.
Highlights:
02:01 The Impact of Data on Patient Care
03:26 Innovative Approaches to Patient Care
04:26 The Challenges and Opportunities of Data in Healthcare
05:15 The Process of Evaluating and Utilizing Data
06:56 The Importance of Partnership in Data Analysis
16:28 The Future of AI in Healthcare
22:20 The Role of Tendo in Streamlining Patient Information
Guest:
John O'Toole is a healthcare industry expert with over 15 years of experience. Throughout his career, John has worked in various clinical areas, with the last eight years focused on Analytics. His data analysis, management skills, and expertise have led him to successfully manage enterprise analytics teams in the healthcare provider space. John holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Applied Psychology from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a Master of Arts degree in Health Systems Management from Rush University. In July 2023, John accepted a position as Senior Director of Analytics at Tendo, a health tech startup.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jotoole1/
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Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
In this episode, Amir Bormand talks to Will Ross, the CEO and co-founder of Federato, about how insurance companies are adopting AI. They discuss the transformative impact of AI on the insurance industry, particularly in underwriting. Ross underscores the significant role of underwriters in influencing both the top and bottom lines of growth in insurance companies. He then explains how Federato leverages AI technologies to help underwriters optimize their process. The conversation also delves into the future of AI, the evolving definition of AI, and the importance of understanding its potential applications beyond popular mainstream concepts like ChatGPT. Ross shares real-life examples of how AI can substantially enhance efficiency in the insurance industry, such as 'win ability' modeling. Ultimately, he envisions AI as bolstering human capabilities in the insurance sector rather than replacing jobs.
Highlights:
00:30 Understanding Federato and its Role in the Insurance Industry
02:41 The Evolution and Impact of AI in Various Industries
03:38 The AI Paradox and its Implications
05:19 The Role of AI in Insurance
06:20 Understanding the Perception and Application of AI in Different Industries
10:48 The Role of AI in Optimizing Business Processes
18:49 The Future of AI in Job Roles and Industries
Co-Founder & CEO at Federato
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In this episode, Jason Ash, Chief of Data at Symetra, joins the podcast to discuss the transformation happening within the insurance industry. He highlights the dynamic relationship between business and technology and the importance of stakeholders in rolling out solutions. Jason also delves into the non-technical side of the insurance business and how it contributes to overall success. This conversation transcends the industry and offers insights that can be applied to other sectors.
Highlights:
[00:02:20] Technology adoption in business.
[00:04:56] Bridging business and technology.
[00:08:08] Importance of diverse perspectives.
[00:10:49] Rolling out insurance products.
[00:13:41] Thinking about data early.
[00:19:29] Broader participation in data.
[00:19:56] Collaborative approach to problem-solving.
[00:22:20] Onboarding new team members.
[00:24:31] Stakeholder expectations and data delivery.
[00:26:22] Building foundational infrastructure.
[00:31:02] Insurance and healthcare battle.
[00:34:29] Advancing career paths for team.
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Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
In this episode, Vineeth Loganathan, the Director of Machine Learning at ViralGains, discusses building a successful data program. He explores the importance of a clear vision and steps in delivering value through data. Vineeth also explains the concept of zero-party data and how it can be used for targeted marketing. Tune in to gain insights on balancing short-term and long-term data needs and delivering value to customers.
Highlights:
[00:00:57] Zero-party data for ads.
[00:06:00] Closing the loop on data.
[00:07:20] Understanding stakeholder needs.
[00:11:51-00:12:01] Defining metrics and understanding churn.
[00:16:10] Delivering value with machine learning.
[00:20:46] Research in machine learning.
[00:22:03] NLP advancements and their impact.
[00:26:10] Analyst in a box.
[00:30:22] Prompt engineering and ML ops.
[00:34:49] Formulating strategies in ML.
Vineeth Loganathan leads Machine Learning and Data Science at ViralGains, an ad-tech company based in Boston. His team's charter is to leverage the power of machine learning to deliver an audience-driven marketing strategy for brands that optimize outcomes across the customer decision journey. He has 15+ years of experience leading data science teams across Disney, Amazon, Microsoft, and Airbnb.
Connect:
https://twitter.com/VineethLoganhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/vineeth-loganathan/
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Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
In this podcast episode, Clay Callaway shares his journey of bringing about digital transformation in Delta Dental of California. He talks about their challenges due to siloed data within the organization and how the approach pivoted towards enterprise-wide data management. They began resolving these issues by implementing data governance and building a solid data foundation. Clay emphasizes how combining this data with the right technologies has allowed Delta Dental to think about its business in new ways and improve customer service.
Highlights:
01:26 Start of the Digital Transformation Journey
01:44 The Problem of Data Silos
03:15 Shift to an Enterprise Approach to Data
03:46 Role of Data Governance and Strategy
04:57 Importance of Understanding Business Use Cases
06:01 Evolution of Data Strategy and Roadmap
07:46 Impact of Data on Business Outcomes
10:44 Role of Technology in Data Transformation
14:13 Future of Data-Driven Decision Making
18:14 Impact of Data on Customer Experience
Clay Callaway is the Director of Ops Data Insights and Analytics at Delta Dental of California. He works with business leaders to make data-driven Insights a critical step in decision making. Clay has been with Delta Dental for more than 15 years of his 25+ year career; previously, he was in DDC’s Technology Organization as the Director of Applications Development for Data and Analytics. In this role, he directed data strategy, data architecture, and data management to build and deliver technologies, tools, and solutions, including the implementation of a data governance office and a modern cloud data platform. He was previously an Architect and Manager, where he developed analytics, business intelligence solutions, and tools to help customers, providers, and employees navigate business challenges.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/claycallaway/
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On this podcast episode, Amir Bormand interviews Madeline Minshew, the Vice President of Culture at True Ventures. They discuss the importance of hiring your first head of people and what to look for when taking a job as the first people leader hire. True Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm that invests in extraordinary founders and their innovative ideas. They are sector-agnostic and focus on backing exceptional individuals in various markets. This episode explores the characteristics of successful founders and the significance of building a strong team.
Highlights:
[00:02:26] Characteristics of extraordinary founders.
[00:07:11] Letting go of control.
[00:09:25] Preserving culture while scaling.
[00:13:40] Building the right company.
[00:18:58] Questions for job seekers.
[00:24:14] HR's evolving role in organizations.
[00:27:21] Asking questions and viewing problems.
Guest:
As True’s VP of Culture, Madeline guides True Founders as they evolve as leaders, grow their teams, and intentionally build organizational cultures. She believes authentic, honest relationships that value trust, diversity of perspectives, and open feedback are the quintessential cornerstone of healthy, high-performing teams.
Above all, Madeline is a super-connector across the True Portfolio; she brings together founders, executives, and portfolio team members to create deeper synergy, build collective wisdom, and encourage a sense of belonging.
Prior to joining True, Madeline was the VP of people and talent at Handshake, a True Portfolio company that’s since grown into the leading career development network for college students and recent graduates. Before Handshake, Madeline focused on hiring high-performing talent and building strong, inclusive cultures at Cadre, Tumblr, and Google.
A San Francisco native, Madeline also speaks French and German fluently. Madeline graduated magna cum laude from Barnard College of Columbia University with a major in political science and a minor in French literature.
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and we would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.
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Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
In this episode, Amir Bormand interviews Tariq Shaukat, co-CEO at Sonar, about the impact of software and AI on companies. They discuss how every company wants to be a software company and how AI is accelerating this trend. They delve into the challenges companies face in pivoting to deliver software and the importance of clean code. The conversation also touches on the role of the board in driving digital transformation. Tune in to gain insights into the evolving landscape of enterprise software and AI.
Highlights:
[00:00:04] Software is eating the world.
[00:03:02] Companies becoming software-enabled.
[00:05:36] Importance of software in industries.
[00:09:11] Cultural and educational aspects.
[00:11:58] Education and deployment of AI.
[00:14:21] Trust but verify AI governance.
[00:17:18] AI and cybersecurity governance.
[00:21:39] AI impact on software development.
[00:24:13] Software pricing models in AI.
[00:28:06] Per seat pricing vs. value delivery.
Guest:
Tariq Shaukat is co-CEO of Sonar, the world's leading Clean Code solution, and is a member of Sonar's Board of Directors. Tariq has extensive experience in growing and scaling private and public companies across many domains, including cloud computing, social media, travel, and entertainment.
Before joining Sonar, Tariq was the President of Bumble Inc., the parent company that operates the Bumble, Badoo, Fruitz and Official mobile apps. He joined Bumble as the company’s first ever President, and partnered with the Founder and CEO to successfully IPO and scale the company to over $900M in revenue in 2022. Prior to that, Tariq was President of Google Cloud. There, he played a key role in establishing its go-to-market operations as well as its industry and AI solutions, and scaling the company to over $12B in revenue. He has also held senior roles at Caesars Entertainment, McKinsey & Company, and Trilogy Software.
Tariq serves on the Board of Trustees of Public Storage, a leading self-storage REIT, and on the Board of Directors of Gap Inc, the iconic fashion and apparel retailer. He holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and an M.S. in Technology and Policy from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, as well as an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University.
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In this episode, Amir Bormand interviews Marissa Saunders, Senior Director of Data Science at Recursion. They discuss the importance of research and development (R&D) in data science and its various implications for different companies. They emphasize the need to balance accuracy and completion with understanding business value and return on investment (ROI). Marissa explains how Recursion is focused on revolutionizing drug discovery by industrializing the process and incorporating more hypotheses to accelerate results and reduce costs. The goal is to move from traditional biotech to tech bio.
Highlights:
[00:01:50] Failing fast in drug discovery.
[00:03:14] Drug discovery and AI capabilities.
[00:08:25] Cooperating to gather clean data.
[00:10:02] Industrializing the drug discovery process.
[00:13:52] Ideation and problem-solving process.
[00:17:08] Refining pipeline for drug development.
[00:21:07] R&D and team setup.
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In this episode, Ivan Lee, the CEO of Datasaur.ai, joins Amir Bormand to discuss productizing LLMs and dealing with labeling issues. Ivan shares his insights on the productization of LLMs and provides his thoughts on the future of this technology. Tune in to learn more about the work of Datasaur.ai and the exciting developments in the AI industry.
Highlights:
[00:02:44] The importance of data labeling.
[00:03:34] The challenge of harnessing AI.
[00:06:04] Disconnect in AI capabilities.
[00:09:04] The future of AI models.
[00:14:41] Productization of LLMs.
[00:15:36] LLMs in product innovation.
[00:18:52] LLMs and evolving business models.
[00:22:25] ROI in AI implementation.
[00:27:10] Exploring the potential of AI.
[00:29:13] NLP's transformative power.
Ivan Lee graduated with a Computer Science B.S. from Stanford University and dropped out of his master’s degree to found his first company, Loki Studios. After raising institutional funding and building a profitable game, Yahoo acquired Loki.Lee spent the next 10 years building AI products at several companies and discovered a gap in serving the rapid evolution of Natural Language Processing (NLP) technologies. He built Datasaur to focus on democratizing access to NLP - Datasaur now serves companies such as Google, Netflix, Qualtrics, Spotify, and more.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iylee/
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In this episode, Amir Bormand interviews Ross Fubini, the managing partner at XYZ Venture Capital, to discuss the growing AI opportunity and how to identify lasting trends in the field. They delve into the impact of AI on enterprise software models and its potential for cost savings. Ross shares insights on XYZ's investment focus on enterprise and fintech companies, including those in the public sector. With a portfolio of 107 businesses, XYZ aims to support and build these companies actively. Please tune in to gain valuable insights into the AI landscape and its potential for transformative growth.
Highlights:
[00:00:04] Growing AI opportunity.
[00:02:43] AI and market shifts.
[00:05:45] The Internet's transformative potential.
[00:09:18] AI opportunity and emerging technologies.
[00:10:20] AI-powered consulting and new enterprise systems.
[00:15:38] Narrow AI application opportunities.
[00:19:27] Pricing and market disruption.
[00:23:12] AI growth in technology.
[00:24:29] AI Opportunities and Adoption.
[00:28:42] Leveraging AI for legacy brands.
[00:30:04] Generative AI and business opportunities.
[00:35:10] Looking back on emerging technologies.
Guest:
Ross Fubini is the founder and Managing Partner of XYZ Venture Capital. He’s made a career as a successful early-stage technology investor and is passionate about connecting people to build insightful products. Ross is from Virginia and is now based in San Francisco, where he married a local with whom he has two children and goes over the top on holidays. He is an avid triathlete, marathon runner, and previous Ironman competitor. Ross likes to go faster in all things - from races to building companies.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/fubini/
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In this episode, Amir interviews Stephen Chu, the Chief Legal and People Officer at InStride, about the impact of education on talent retention, attraction, and tenure. InStride partners with academic institutions to offer education programs for large enterprise companies, including high school degrees, college degrees, non-degree certificates, and coding courses. The goal is to create a win-win situation for employees, employers, and academic institutions. As employees gain new skills, employers benefit from upskilled talent, and academic institutions gain more learners.
Highlights
[00:00:04] Impact of education on talent.
[00:02:26] Importance of combined legal and HR role.
[00:05:30] Retention and Mobility.
[00:09:30] Facilitating professional growth opportunities.
[00:10:23] CEO buy-in and program success.
[00:13:44] Advanced professionals are improving their skills.
[00:15:03] The importance of continuous learning.
[00:18:28] Education improves retention.
[00:21:42] Educational benefits and improvement.
Stephen Chu is the Chief Legal and People Officer at InStride, the partner of choice for businesses creating sustainable advantage and social impact through strategic workforce education programs that enable continuous growth for their people. As Chief Legal and People Officer, Stephen oversees legal and human resources.
Prior to InStride, Stephen was the General Counsel at Zwift, a global fitness platform for cyclists and runners, where he led all legal and compliance matters.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-chu-2189042a/
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In this episode, Ofer Shterling, CTO of Amberflo.io, joins the podcast to discuss the evolution of the CTPO role (Chief Technology and Product Officer). They dive into why this role is becoming a trend and why companies are adopting it. Ofer also explains the main problem his company solves - the pricing problem for businesses. They believe that measuring usage and understanding customer behavior can help companies achieve their pricing objectives. The conversation also touches on Ofer's decision to join a startup and the importance of product and ideation in his role. Please tune in to learn more about the CTPO role and its impact on companies.
Highlights:
[00:01:02] Solving the pricing problem.
[00:05:11] The CTO as CPO.
[00:10:11] Not scalable as CTO.
[00:14:23] Balancing passion, compassion, and inner peace.
Ofer Shterling is the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Amberflo.io. He joined the company nearly three years ago, shortly after it secured seed funding, as one of the first two founding engineers. Ofer played a pivotal role in developing many of Amberflo's core pipelines and now serves as the CTO, guiding the company's technological direction.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ofer-shterling-32739b31
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In this episode, host Amir interviews Ramiro Berrelleza, the founder and CEO of Okteto. They discuss the concept of building software cheaper and faster, exploring the changing landscape of development costs and productivity. They also delve into the impact of tools like GitHub Copilot on team efficiency and delivery. Ramiro highlights how Okteto's platform automates development workflows in Kubernetes, allowing developers to focus on coding and creating value rather than setting up environments manually. The conversation explores the challenge of balancing cost, speed, and quality in software development. Tune in to gain insights into optimizing development processes and achieving cost-effective results.
Highlights:
[00:02:30] Producing software cheaper and faster.
[00:05:57] Cost savings through automation.
[00:09:14] Sizing environments correctly.
[00:12:04] Agile tools.
[00:17:07] Feedback loop in development.
[00:20:23] Customer feedback.
[00:23:45] Bridging the gap as companies grow.
[00:27:39] Innovating the web experience.
Ramiro Berrelleza is the CEO and Co-founder of Okteto, the leading platform for Development Experience Automation. With over 20 years of experience in engineering, Ramiro is a seasoned professional with a passion for building developer tooling.A visionary, Ramiro is always looking for ways to improve the software development process. He firmly believes that building modern applications is a team sport and understands the importance of removing friction from the development process. He is also a passionate advocate for building a more inclusive tech industry. With Ramiro at the helm, Okteto is well-positioned to continue to grow and shape the way companies architect development experience for their teams.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramiroberrelleza/
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In this episode, Amir interviews Ugur Tigli, the CTO of MinIO, a high-performance object storage company. They discuss the infrastructure components of cloud storage, data protection, operating models, and costs and how they tie into AI workloads. Ugur explains that MinIO is an open-source, S3-compatible distributed object storage solution popular for its simplicity and ease of deployment. They also delve into why MinIO chose the open-source path and its benefits. Listen to the episode to learn more about cloud and AI workloads and the impact on cloud costs.
Highlights
[00:02:40] Dual licensing model.
[00:04:15] Open source and security.
[00:07:36] AI and data growth.
[00:14:15] Complex data infrastructure evolution.
[00:16:39] Object storage simplification.
[00:20:19] AI and storage cost.
[00:24:07] Integrating with external systems.
Ugur Tigli is CTO at MinIO. In this current role, he oversees enterprise strategy and interfaces with MinIO’s enterprise client base. He helps clients architect and deploy API-driven, cloud-native, and scalable enterprise-grade data infrastructure using MinIO. Ugur has almost two decades of experience building high-performance data infrastructure for global financial institutions. Before MinIO, he was a technology leader at Bank of America, serving as the Senior Vice President and Global Head of Hardware Engineering. He joined Bank of America through the acquisition of Merrill Lynch, where he was the Vice President for Storage Engineering. Ugur has a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Lafayette College.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ugur-tigli-9a9323/
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In this episode, we have Max Bruner, founder and CEO of Anzen, a marketplace for executive liability insurance. Max shares his unconventional journey from foreign policy to becoming a founder in the insurance industry. He discusses Anzen's mission and how they are working to accelerate change in the insurance sector. Additionally, Max talks about the impact of AI and the challenges of securing funding. Tune in to gain insights into Max's unique career path and the innovative work being done at Anzen.
Highlights:
[00:01:18] A path through foreign policy.
[00:04:10] Educating about the world.
[00:08:12] Learning about new technology.
[00:13:12] Risk insurance and its appeal.
[00:15:20] Applying AI to existing industries.
[00:19:06] Becoming a technology company.
[00:23:44] Helping founders and building companies.
Max Bruner, CEO and Founder of Anzen Insurance, a platform that is saving insurance brokers and companies thousands of hours and tons of stress, that has raised $10 Million in funding.
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In this episode, Amir Bormand introduces two guests, Ajax Trueblood and Chris Ieva, who discuss the book "Bastards and Brothers" written by Ajax. The book focuses on the Marines and their fight for al-Qaim in Iraq. Ajax, a retired Air Force intel officer, shares his motivations for writing the book, while Chris, a Marine who served in Iraq, provides his unique perspective. The conversation delves into the book's significance and connections to everyday experiences, including agile practices.
Highlights
[00:03:53] Dark times in Iraq.
[00:07:36] Marine battalion's fascinating story.
[00:14:48] John Boyd and the OODA Loop
[00:16:27] The OODA Loop concept.
[00:20:23] Thinking in cycles
[00:25:51] Rules for winning firefights.
[00:29:19] The courage it takes.
[00:34:26] Coordinated strike on enemy.
[00:36:14] Marines rushing headlong into combat.
[00:39:10] Tying explosives on a rope.
[00:47:20] Communication techniques and gratitude.
[00:50:27] Building trust through honest communication.
[00:54:18] Risk and decision-making.
[00:59:02] Fighting with a small footprint.
[01:02:32] Outreach to local tribes.
[01:07:46] The ripple of wartime experience.
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In this episode, Prashanth Sarpamale, CEO of Althea.ai, discusses the company's focus on integrating health equity with patient engagement and closing care gaps. He explains how they use healthcare analytics and AI methodology to identify social determinants of health and their impact on patient health. Prashanth also shares insights on his journey from chief data analytics officer to CEO and the importance of leveraging data and analytics to drive clinical outcomes. This episode provides valuable information on the intersection of technology and healthcare.
Highlights:
[00:01:03] Closing care gaps in healthcare.
[00:04:06] Ensuring care teams have the necessary data.
[00:09:08] Non-traditional sources of data.
[00:14:29] Interoperability and healthcare systems.
[00:16:53] Medicare spending stabilization.
[00:23:12] Building analytics skills for transition.
[00:26:04] Progressions into high levels of management.
Guest:
Prashanth is the CEO of Althea.ai, which is focused on using analytics to integrate Health Equity with Whole Person Care. Before joining Althea.ai, he was Chief Data & Analytics Officer at Oak Street Health. In this leading Value-Based Care company, he leveraged data to drive innovation and enhance patient care. Before his tenure at Oak Street Health, Prashanth served as Senior Vice President for Operations Analytics at United Health Care, where he led all Data Engineering, Business Insights, and Advanced Analytics and Research for all lines of business – Medicare, Medicaid, and Commercial. Before this, he set up and led global analytics practices at UnitedHealth and Hewlett-Packard.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prashanth-sarpamale-99ba7b/
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In this episode, Katelyn Donnelly, the founder and general partner at Avalanche VC, joins the podcast to discuss the concept of an avalanche in the startup and venture capital world. She explains that Avalanche VC invests in companies that transform how people learn, earn, and own, focusing on disruptive ideas and technologies that have the potential to create sweeping societal change. Katelyn also distinguishes between the terms "unicorn" and "avalanche," highlighting that a unicorn refers to a company with a billion-dollar valuation. In contrast, an avalanche represents a massive trend that can lead to significant market disruption. Please tune in to learn more about how founders and entrepreneurs can take advantage of these trends and position themselves for success.
Highlights
[00:01:58] What is an avalanche?
[00:06:11] The impacts of the avalanche.
[00:09:04] Founders and founding teams.
[00:12:57] Pivoting vs changing ideas.
[00:16:39] Learnable skills of successful founders.
[00:19:18] Exceptional judgment.
[00:24:01] Risk of backing first-time founders.
Katelyn is the Managing Director of Avalanche VC, an early-stage venture firm investing in massive sector trends starting with how people learn, earn, and own. She is active in web3 as the genesis member of VC3DAO, a Kernel Fellow, and a crypto investor. She is co-founder and board director of Delivery Associates, the leading public sector advisory and technology firm focused on government operations and achieving results. She has worked with governments and invested in companies in over 20 countries globally. Previously, she co-founded and served as the Managing Director of Pearson Ventures (prior PALF), a $65M venture fund that invests in edtech companies in emerging markets. Katelyn also led the strategy and implementation of Pearson’s global efficacy strategy. Katelyn started her career as a consultant at McKinsey in San Francisco. Katelyn is a Kauffman Fellow - Class 21. She was named to the Corporate Venturing Power List and recognized on Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2014. Venture Capital Journal named her to 40 under 40 Rising Stars in 2022. Katelyn currently serves on Duke University's Learning Innovation Advisory Council, helping Duke imagine the future of on-campus and online learning. Katelyn is a published author on innovation, education, and market disruption. She writes a newsletter called Obviously The Future. www.katelyndonnelly.com
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In this episode, Shadi Rostami, the Senior Executive VP of Engineering at Amplitude, joins the podcast to discuss the role of prompt engineering in fueling innovation and speeding up hackathons. She emphasizes that prompt engineering is a team sport and explores how experimentation and data analytics can impact business outcomes. Amplitude aims to help companies build better products by leveraging data and user behavior insights. Shadi also shares her responsibilities overseeing engineering, security, and support at Amplitude. Tune in for an insightful conversation on driving innovation through prompt engineering.
Highlights:
[00:00:22] Hackathons and LLMs speeding up innovation.
[00:06:27] Features originated in hackathon.
[00:11:13] Prompt engineering and model changes.
[00:17:23] Hackathon ideas and roadmap.
[00:19:58] Relying on user behavior.
[00:22:00] Balancing hackathon experience for developers.
[00:26:06] AI as a tool for innovation.
[00:29:06] Hackathons impact business outcomes.
Shadi Rostami is SVP of engineering at leading digital analytics platform Amplitude. She is a passionate, seasoned technology leader and architect experienced in building and managing highly proficient engineering teams. Before Amplitude, she was VP of Engineering at Palo Alto Networks. She has innovated and delivered several product lines and services specializing in distributed systems, cloud computing, big data, machine learning, and security. She has a Ph.D. in computer engineering from the University of British Columbia and a B.Sc. from Sharif University of Technology.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shadi-rostami-b6a636/
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In this episode, Amir Bormand interviews Ryan Glasgow, the CEO of Sprig. They discuss Ryan's journey from pre-Sprig to launching the company, focusing on building products centered around experience data. Ryan explains how Sprig is a product experience insights platform that helps companies understand what their customers think of their products. They delve into the different products offered by Sprig, including in-product surveys, session replay, prototype testing, and AI. Tune in and learn more about how Sprig revolutionizes customer feedback and product development.
Highlights
[00:01:06] Sprig's core product: in-product surveys.
[00:04:02] Early-stage company experiences.
[00:07:36] The evolution of CDs.
[00:11:38] Customer journey and product fit.
[00:15:25] Outbound feedback is crucial.
[00:18:12] User experience management.
[00:23:48] Identifying core supporters of the product.
[00:26:06] Product market fit and learnings.
Guest:
Ryan Glasgow is the founder and CEO of Sprig. Sprig is the leading product experience insights platform and works with high-growth companies, including Figma, Notion, Loom, and Dropbox.
Before starting the company, Ryan was a Product Manager and early team member at five different companies that he helped scale from startup to successful exit, including Weebly, which was acquired by Square, and Vurb, which Snapchat acquired.
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and we would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.
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In this episode, host Amir interviews Zach Wasserman, Co-founder and CTO of Fleet, an open-source device management platform. They discuss the features and functionalities of Fleet, including its use in mobile device management (MDM) and telemetry collection. Zach explains how Fleet is built on top of OSQuery and supports managing Mac workstations, with plans to expand to Windows, mobile devices, and Linux. Tune in to learn more about the benefits of Fleet and why they decided to open-source their product.
Highlights:
[00:01:23] Device Management Use Cases.
[00:05:55] Telemetry data.
[00:09:54] Vulnerability management platform.
[00:13:20] Bringing DevOps principles into IT and security.
[00:15:28] Business requirements and efficiency gains.
[00:19:27] Shifting left in endpoint management.
[00:24:23] Open source business model.
Zach Wasserman is a serial entrepreneur, engineer, co-founder, and CTO of Fleet, where he works to unlock the full potential of osquery for enterprise and open-source customers. He brings the vision and experience of co-creating and working with osquery since the earliest design documents at Facebook in 2014. He has been a member of the Linux Foundation osquery Technical Steering Committee since its inception in 2019. Before Fleet, Zach founded open-source security consultancy Dactiv, and co-founded endpoint security company Kolide. Zach graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BSE in computer science from the University of Pennsylvania, where he conducted wireless security research and lectured on the Python programming language.
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In this episode, Amir interviews Siddharth Ram, the CTO of Velocity Global, about the impact of hackathons on innovation. They discuss the benefits and challenges of hackathons, as well as the importance of compliance in today's borderless work environment. Siddharth explains that Velocity Global helps companies navigate hiring and compliance regulations worldwide. The hackathons at Velocity Global provide engineers with four days of uninterrupted work, fostering creativity and collaboration. Tune in to learn more about the power of hackathons in driving innovation.
Highlights:
[00:02:45] Impactful hackathon projects.
[00:05:58] Happiness and productivity in hackathons.
[00:08:37] Surprising customer impact.
[00:14:21] AI and generative AI.
[00:15:10] Celebrating customer feedback.
[00:19:07] The genesis of giving everyone three uninterrupted days.
[00:23:07] R&D/hackathon budget.
Guest:
Siddharth Ram is the CTO of Velocity Global, which helps businesses hire and manage employees in 185 countries worldwide. Before Velocity Global, he was the CTO of Inflection.com/GoodHire.com, which was acquired by Checkr.com in 2022. He held leadership positions at Intuit before this.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/siddharthram/
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In this episode, host Amir speaks with Keenan Wyrobek, Co-founder and CTO of Zipline. They discuss the challenges and design choices involved in managing the intersection of hardware and software for Zipline's mission-critical product. They also dive into the unique product that Zipline offers and the mission driving their work. Tune in to gain insights into the world of hardware and software integration and the importance of building a strong team.
Highlights:
[00:01:27] Zipline's unique product and mission.
[00:06:18] Expired medicine in warehouses.
[00:07:38] The journey of starting.
[00:10:14] Bumps in the road.
[00:13:05] Hiring for principles.
[00:16:18] Evaluating team fit and performance.
[00:20:35] New product exploration and iteration.
[00:23:31] Flying in stormy weather.
[00:28:19] Simplifying architectural design.
[00:29:04] A holy grail.
[00:32:17] What matters to the customer?
Guest:
Keenan Wyrobek is co-founder and head of product and engineering at Zipline, the world’s first drone delivery service whose focus is delivering life-saving medicine to the most difficult-to-reach places on earth. Prior to Zipline, Keenan was a co-founder and director of the Personal Robotics Program at Willow Garage. He was involved in launching and growing the Robot Operating System (ROS) and shipping PR2, the first personal robot for software R&D. Keenan has spent years delivering high-tech products to market across a range of fields, including consumer electronics, sportswear, and medical robotics.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keenanwyrobek/
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In this episode, the host interviews Hoang Bao, the Director of Privacy and Data Privacy Officer at Axon, about privacy engineering. They discuss the emerging field of privacy engineering, its definition, and the career opportunities it offers. Wang explains that there is no common definition for privacy engineering and highlights the work of the IAPP Privacy Engineering Advisory Board in shaping the field. This episode provides valuable insights for anyone interested in the intersection of privacy and technology.
Highlights:
[00:01:06] Definition of privacy engineering.
[00:04:39] Data governance and privacy.
[00:11:42] More diversity in the privacy profession.
[00:14:21] Getting into the privacy profession.
[00:17:07] Privacy champions in organizations.
[00:22:15] The role of the data protection officer.
[00:26:45] Career opportunities in privacy engineering.
Hoang Bao has over 15 years of experience building and leading privacy and data governance programs. He is currently serving as Director of Privacy and Data Privacy Officer for Axon, where he helps ensure Axon is always at the forefront in fulfilling its commitment to protecting privacy for all global Axon Customers and the communities they serve.
He is also a member of the IAPP Privacy Engineering Advisory Board. Additionally, he is a Principal at Virtual Privacy, focusing on empowering the privacy and data protection ecosystem through pro bono services and research about businesses, consumers, and trust in the digital space. Previously, he also served in senior leadership roles at Google, Twitch, Netflix, Walmart Global eCommerce, and Yahoo!. He was also a Senior Consultant at KPMG LLP.
Hoang received his Master of Science in Computer Science from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. He has the following privacy designations: CIPP/US, CIPP/E, CIPT, and CIPM. He also has the ECPC-B Professional DPO Certification from the European Centre on Privacy and Cybersecurity, Maastricht University.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/hoangbao/
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In this episode, Adam Jacob, CEO and co-founder of System Initiative, joins the podcast to discuss the reasons behind less than ideal results in DevOps. He explains the failure rates and highlights important insights to look for in reports. Adam also discusses the second wave of DevOps tools and their impact. The conversation delves into the work of System Initiative. This company has reimagined the workflow for DevOps work by creating a collaborative power tool that removes the challenges faced in current DevOps practices. The goal is to enhance collaboration, shorten feedback loops, and create high-fidelity models while allowing for higher-level abstractions.
Highlights
[00:00:23] Rethinking DevOps workflow.
[00:03:46] Ideal implementation of DevOps.
[00:08:35] Collaboration in remote culture.
[00:10:19] Collaboration in remote work.
[00:14:35] What's wrong with our DevOps outcomes?
[00:17:46] Lead time for cloud infrastructure.
[00:21:19] Transparency and collaboration.
[00:24:08] Collaboration and complexity in deployments.
[00:27:14] Second wave of DevOps.
[00:31:18] Second wave DevOps and change.
[00:36:02] Building something better than mediocrity.
[00:38:03] Building new deployment automation scripting language.
[00:41:15] Fixing Bad Outcomes.
Guest:
Adam Jacob is an engineering and product innovator with decades of experience designing, building, and managing large production systems. He is the CEO, Chairman, and Co-founder of System Initiative. Adam previously co-founded Chef Software was the original author of Chef, served as CTO, and was on the board of directors.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjacob/
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In this episode, Gary Cao, an Analytics leader, joins the podcast to discuss proactive and reactive states of data, defensive and offensive strategies, and the value of data in both contexts. Gary shares his extensive experience as an analytics officer leader and offers insights into how companies often misunderstand the true value of their data. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of how to leverage data for revenue generation and strategic decision-making.
Highlights:
00:01:36 Unlocking data value: Offensive vs Defensive00:09:01 Data is essential for decision-making.00:12:02 Data analytics drives revenue growth.00:22:01 Benchmarking competitors is essential.00:25:11 Data analytics is a strategic resource.00:31:21 Properly serve data and analytics.
Guest:
Gary Cao, known as 'Mr. Ge,' provides expert guidance to CEOs and boards on analytics and AI strategy, taking on roles such as a fractional Chief Data and Analytics Officer (CDAO) or Chief AI Officer (CAIO). Boasting a 20-year tenure as a CDAO and a seasoned founder of internal analytics startups, Cao has demonstrated a robust track record across eight companies, with revenues ranging from $40 million to $120 billion.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garycao/
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In this episode, Amir interviews Aaron Wilkerson, Carhartt's Senior Manager of Data Strategy and Governance. They discuss improving business outcomes and the importance of data in achieving that goal. Aaron shares insights on the strategy and accountability required for data-driven decision-making. They also touch on the role of technology in driving business success. Overall, this episode provides valuable insights for those responsible for data and technology in any industry.
Highlights
[00:04:26] Tying data strategy to brand.
[00:07:12] Data as the centerpiece.
[00:13:39] Elevated strategic vision
[00:15:54] Data governance and challenges.
[00:19:35] Change management and education.
[00:22:10] Finding the champion.
[00:26:23] Tying data to business outcomes.
[00:28:14] The evolving role of CDOs.
[00:32:39] Attributing work to forecast.
[00:34:35] Attaching work to business outcomes.
[00:37:56] Revenue growth through digital channels.
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and we would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.
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In this episode, Amir interviews Kunal Agarwal, the co-founder and CEO of Unravel Data. They discuss purpose-built AI and how Unravel Data leverages AI in their platform. They also explore the symbiotic relationship between AI-driven products and engineering teams. Kunal explains that Unravel Data is a data observability and FinOps platform data engineering teams use to ensure data applications run smoothly and efficiently. They also discuss the importance of scaling data operations and managing costs in a rapidly growing data landscape. This episode highlights AI's role in improving engineers' lives and optimizing data operations.
Highlights:
[00:01:25] Purpose-built AI for data.
[00:05:39] Shift to narrow AI solutions.
[00:09:54] Automating repetitive tasks.
[00:12:09] Data engineers' time-consuming tasks.
[00:17:33] Automated testing and checks.
[00:19:43] Why is this thing so expensive?
[00:24:44] Understanding unit cost and optimization.
[00:27:57] Optimization opportunities with AI.
Guest
Kunal Agarwal is CEO and Co-founder of Unravel Data, a data observability and FinOps platform that utilizes purpose-built AI to enable large enterprises to deliver on the promise of data-driven products and insights with speed, scale, and cost efficiency.Kunal started his entrepreneurial journey by co-founding Yuuze.com, a pioneer in e-commerce personalization. He has held sales and implementation leadership roles for Oracle products at several Fortune 100 organizations and helped Sun Microsystems run its Grid Computing Engine.In addition to building and steering the Unravel Data team, Kunal is passionate about drifting cars sideways around the track at 100 mph+.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kunalkunal/
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In this episode, host Amir welcomes Sue Nallapeta, the CTO of Trusted Health, to discuss the implementation of AI in products and the importance of data quality. They emphasize the need for a solid framework and data structure before integrating AI solutions. Sue shares examples of how AI can bring value to customers and improve business outcomes. They also explore how Trusted Health, a marketplace connecting nurses with jobs, incorporates AI into their operations. Tune in to gain insights into leveraging AI effectively in your product.
Highlights
[00:02:27] Leveraging AI in healthcare.
[00:03:51] Nurses uploading their resumes.
[00:08:12] Data governance and AI.
[00:12:35] Complexity of nursing recruitment.
[00:16:46] AI's presence in every workflow.
[00:19:30] Technology trends and industry evolution.
[00:24:43] Understanding nursing complexities.
[00:26:10] Nursing complexities.
Sushma (Sue) Nallapeta is the Chief Technology Officer at Trusted Health, where she leads a team of more than 100 engineers who are building the leading career marketplace for healthcare professionals. Sue has more than 15 years of experience leading engineering teams across various consumer-facing businesses and marketplaces, including Apartment List, Zoosk (acquired by Spark Networks), and Kodak Gallery (acquired by Shutterfly). She is a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion initiatives and for creating products that help people solve everyday problems through the power of technology. Sue serves as a mentor and a resource for other aspiring female engineers and engineering leaders through her work as an ambassador for SheTO and as a mentor with Plato. Sue holds a master's degree in Computer Science and is a mother to an 8-year-old daughter.
linkedin.com/in/sushmanallapeta
twitter.com/sushmars
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In this episode, Hari Kodakalla, the Head of Data Analytics at Frost Bank, joins the podcast to discuss responsible AI and the challenges of last-mile adoption. They explore topics such as regulatory protection from a customer perspective, the composition of an effective AI team, and the ongoing importance of human involvement in AI processes. The conversation delves into the impact of AI and machine learning in various areas, including deepfake videos and content issues. The concept of responsible AI is explored, highlighting the need for ethical and accountable use of AI technology.
Highlights
[00:00:56] Responsible AI explained.
[00:04:20] The governance aspect of AI implementation.
[00:11:56] Trust and transparency in AI.
[00:14:48] Responsible AI implementation.
[00:19:51] Responsible AI in corporate environments.
[00:22:39] The impact of the cloud on cybersecurity.
[00:26:45] Responsible AI in an AI-driven world.
Hari Kodakalla is the Head of Data and Analytics at Frost Bank, with over 27 years of experience in various industries. Hari is a visionary leader in the field of data-driven transformation. He has a track record of leveraging technology to drive impactful change and has held executive positions in innovative technology companies specializing in big data and analytics.
Hari is known for turning data into actionable insights using AI and ML and has championed a data-centric culture at Frost Bank. Under his leadership, Frost Bank has seen transformative outcomes, including optimized propensity models, streamlined operations, and personalized customer interactions. Hari advocates for embracing cutting-edge technologies like Gen-Ai and is recognized as a leading authority for adopting AI in his bank. He holds an MBA from the University of Texas @ Dallas and is dedicated to steering Frost Bank toward a data-driven future. You can connect with him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harikodakalla
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In this episode, Amir interviews Fady Matar, the VP of Engineering at Spotter, about his approach to being a super hands-on engineering leader. Fadi shares his views on how he relates to his team, avoids being a bottleneck, and understands the work at a deep level. They discuss the pros and cons of different engineering management styles and how being hands-on can benefit a team. Fadi also provides insight into the size and organization of his team at Spotter, highlighting their exciting product and the need for scalability. Tune in to learn more about Fadi's super-involved approach to engineering leadership.
Highlights:
[00:00:19] Being a super involved engineering leader.
[00:06:52] Choosing the right vertical.
[00:09:38] Sustainability in team growth.
[00:12:40] Avoiding being a bottleneck.
[00:16:17] Managers understanding code and standards.
[00:20:25] Engineering culture and data.
[00:27:29] Startups as jazz bands.
[00:31:52] Defining product specifications.
[00:32:10] Product specifications and frameworks.
As Spotter's VP of Software Engineering, Fady Matar is spearheading the development of AI-focused tools for creators. Known for his curiosity and enthusiasm, he has a rich background in Open Source Frameworks like vertx.io, quarkus.io, and hibernate.org. Fady is committed to pushing the boundaries of AI and software engineering. With the goal of becoming a transformative figure in the AI field, Fady is dedicated to integrating AI advancements with software engineering best practices. Outside of tech, he is a professional musician, proficient in classical, flamenco, and jazz guitar.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fmatar
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In this episode, Phil Freo, the VP of Product and Engineering at Close, discusses his journey from being a founding engineer to the VP of Engineering. Phil has been with Close for almost 12 years and has witnessed the company's growth firsthand. We delve into topics like retention, what mattered in the early days, and what Phil is focused on now. Tune in to gain insights into the evolution of a startup and the importance of staying committed to a company's mission.
Highlights
[00:00:52] Longevity at Close.
[00:06:45] The job keeps changing.
[00:08:03] Evolving skill sets.
[00:13:38] Retention and opportunity for growth.
[00:15:02] Remote work and company culture.
[00:20:42] Over-documentation in remote work.
[00:23:00] VC-backed growth vs. steady growth.
[00:27:10] Progress and happiness.
Guest:
Phil Freo is a founding team member and VP of Product and Engineering at Close.com, a profitable SaaS CRM for startups & SMBs. Phil helped build, launch, and grow Close from the beginning and now leads the 50-person Product, Design, and Engineering org there. Previously, Phil led Product/Engineering for two years at Quizlet, building study tools that help millions of students learn, and also interned at Google. Phil spent several years in Silicon Valley before returning to Florida and focusing on scaling remote teams.
Connect with Phil:
https://twitter.com/philfreohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/philfreo/
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and we would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.
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In this episode, Chintan Shah, VP of Engineering at Collective, discusses the application of AI in business outcomes and how it benefits consumers. The focus is on Collective's product, which caters to consultants and contractors who run their small businesses. Chintan explains the advantages of representing their work as a business and touches on tax laws and liability. Tune in to learn more about the role of generative AI in improving the consumer experience.
Highlights:
[00:00:38] Collective benefiting consumers using AI.
[00:05:33] Subjective interpretation in accounting.
[00:10:58] Co-pilot model and generative AI.
[00:13:09] Bookkeeper's comprehensive view of books.
[00:18:05] Quarterly tax estimates and cash flow.
[00:24:04] Giving time back to businesses.
[00:26:14] Applying assistance to end users.
Guest:
Chintan Shah, as Collective’s VP of Engineering, brings over 20 years of technology experience to build software products that maximize the value for customers. He has led globally distributed engineering teams at companies like Nextdoor, Uber, Netflix, and Apple and at startups like Zencoder and Justin.tv (Twitch) before his tenure at Collective. Chintan’s team at Netflix created Conductor workflow engine.
He has an MS in Cryptography and likes to learn new computer languages in his spare time.
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/chintan
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In this episode, host Amir interviews Jeff DeVerter, Chief Technology Evangelist at Rackspace, about the key factors that can impact the success of an AI project. They discuss the importance of data quality, enterprise adoption, and organizational structure in driving successful AI implementation. Jeff provides valuable insights and feedback in these areas, highlighting the need for a new approach to AI in the enterprise. This episode offers valuable insights for anyone looking to navigate the challenges and achieve success in AI projects.
Highlights:
[00:02:31] AI in personal lives.
[00:03:33] Companies' real-time interaction needs.
[00:07:05] Intelligent Co-Pilot for the Enterprise
[00:11:10] AI's impact on IT.
[00:15:10] First steps in AI adoption.
[00:18:02] LLMs as ongoing AI projects.
[00:21:01] Identifying impactful opportunities.
[00:25:45] Hallucination in AI models.
[00:28:09] The importance of source data.
[00:32:00] AI and cybersecurity misconceptions.
Jeff DeVerter is the chief technology evangelist at Rackspace Technology, an end-to-end, multi-cloud technology services provider.
He has 25 years of experience in IT and technology and has worked at Rackspace Technology for over 10 years. Jeff is a proven strategic leader who has helped insurers create and execute against multi-year digital transformation strategies. During his time at Rackspace Technology, Jeff has launched and managed many of the products and services that Rackspace Technology offers, as well as supporting merger and acquisition activities to enhance those offerings.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdeverter/
--
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In this episode, Mir Ali, the Head of Digital Engineering at the Kraft Heinz Company, joins the show to discuss the enterprise-wide adoption of Gen AI (generative AI). They delve into topics such as platform evaluation, ROI, legal and regulatory considerations, and maturity planning. The conversation focuses on how enterprises can adopt Gen AI, including selecting the right platform, developing a strategy, and justifying its costs. This episode offers valuable insights into the practical application of Gen AI in the business world.
Highlights:
[00:02:40] Use cases in CPG.
[00:05:43] AI strategy
[00:08:19] AI strategy for Kraft Hines.
[00:14:10] Building AI literacy.
[00:16:27] Pilot success metrics.
[00:19:05] Evaluating AI's revenue opportunities.
[00:23:39] Co-pilot integration into daily life.
Guest:
Mir Ali is the Head of Digital Engineering at Kraft Heinz (KHC). He leads a team of product, data, and platform engineers who are responsible for developing and managing the company's digital products and platforms. He has more than 20 years of experience in technology, working in various roles and sectors, including aviation, consulting, automotive, and financial services.
His current role focuses on building a robust platform that supports KHC’s growth strategies, improves analytics-driven decision-making, and aligns the vision across stakeholders, including IT, business, and external partners.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miryali/
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In this episode, I speak with Jyri Engestrom, an investor and partner at YesVC, about angel vesting. Jyri shares his insights on how to get into angel investing and how it can benefit your career as a founder or executive. We discuss the popularity of angel investing and the platforms that allow investors to deploy small tickets into companies. Jyri emphasizes the importance of building a diversified portfolio, even if you're running your own company. Tune in to learn more about the world of angel investing.
Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast should not be considered as legal, financial, or any other type of advice. We encourage you to seek guidance from qualified professionals and conduct your own research before making any investment decisions.
Highlights:
[00:00:40] Angel investing and career benefits.
[00:04:00] Investing in startups for equity.
[00:09:09] Investing too much in startups.
[00:12:30] Skipping angel investing vintages.
[00:17:10] Angel investing ticket size.
[00:20:04] Legal protection when investing.
[00:24:19] The value of angel investors.
[00:28:05] Private investments and angel investors.
[00:34:37] Cultivating relationships as an investor.
[00:37:06] Investing in competitors for success.
Guest:
Jyri Engeström co-founded Jaiku, a mobile social network acquired by Google, and Ditto, a recommendations app acquired by Groupon. He is an early investor in Unity (NYSE:U), Oura, Iceye and many other companies. Before co-founding Yes VC with Caterina, he was on the investing team at True Ventures (early investors in Peloton, Ring, WordPress and others).
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jyriengestrom/
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and we would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.
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In this episode, Amir Bormand interviews Pete Hunt, the CEO of Dagster Labs. They discuss the open-source nature of Dagster, a product that helps businesses with data orchestration. They explore the product's benefits, the challenges in the data orchestration market, and why Dagster Labs decided to open-source their product. Pete shares his background in open source and the importance of data pipelines in making sense of messy data. Tune in to learn more about how Dagster is revolutionizing the data industry.
Highlights:
[00:01:02] Building with data in businesses.
[00:04:08] Data hygiene in organizations.
[00:08:09] Building multi-tenancy from day one.
[00:14:14] Data pipeline unpredictability.
[00:18:00] Open source mentality.
[00:21:10] Open source led business models.
[00:23:05] Open source pricing strategy.
Guest:
Pete joined Dagster Labs as Head of Engineering in early 2022 and took over the reins as CEO in November of that year. Pete was previously co-founder and CEO of Smyte, an anti-abuse provider that Twitter acquired. Before this, Pete led Instagram’s web team, built Instagram’s business analytics products, and helped to open-source Facebook’s React.js.
Connect with Pete:
https://twitter.com/floydophone
https://www.linkedin.com/in/pwhunt/
In this episode, Engin Anil, the VP of Software Engineering at Gatik, joins the podcast to discuss the complexities and challenges in the autonomous vehicle space. Amir and Engin explore the sophistication of autonomous vehicle technology and the need to build confidence and trust in these vehicles. The episode sheds light on the intricate nature of coding for autonomous vehicles, comparing it to the coding required for Boeing or Airbus airplanes. Tune in to gain insights into the impacts and complexities of autonomous vehicles and the software behind them.
Highlights:
[00:01:05] Complexity of autonomous vehicles.
[00:05:48] Differentiating between vehicles.
[00:10:38] Transferable skills in computer vision.
[00:13:41] Ramp up on history
[00:18:04] Cross-disciplinary work in perception.
[00:19:13] Perception problem in AI algorithms.
[00:23:01] The magnitude of ambition.
Guest:
Engin Anil is the VP of Software Engineering at Gatik. Engin focuses on operational excellence in autonomous technology and robotics by hyper-focusing organizations on what is important. He empowers engineering, product, and operations teams to take products to market quicker by rapid development and customer feedback iterations. He bridges his teams and executive leadership, ensuring open communications. Engin creates a safe environment where people can lean on both individual and team strengths while continuing to learn and grow. Engin earned a PhD from Carnegie Mellon University.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ebanil/
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In this episode, Phanii Pydimarri, Head of Strategic Planning and Partnerships at Healthcare Service Corporation, joins the podcast to discuss the topic of productizing data. They explore this process's opportunities, challenges, and common mistakes. Phanii shares insights on the mindset required to view data as a product effectively. Tune in to gain valuable insights into productizing data and its impact on healthcare analytics.
Highlights:
[00:02:33] Productizing data.
[00:04:23] Transitioning to digital productization.
[00:07:17] Siloed nature within an organization.
[00:13:10] Data product manager roles.
[00:15:28] Data products in organizations.
[00:19:27] Internal vs. external data products.
[00:23:32] Internal products and data leaders.
[00:25:59] Lack of clear vision.
Guest:
Phanii Pydimarri is an industry-agnostic Global Digital, Product, and Data Analytics Leader in driving Digital Transformation, Commercialization, and end-to-end Data Management with key focus areas such as Strategy, Data Analytics, Business Transformation, Product Management, and Customer Success. He has a Master of Science in Computer Science from the New Jersey Institute of Technology and an Executive MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.
Phanii has extensive experience working for organizations across the US in different industries. He is a strong believer in economies of scale, is outcome-driven, and is passionate about solving key business challenges by using Digital and Data technologies. He has strong experience using Data Science to drive innovation and improve key operational metrics and has experience standing up Data Governance programs across various public and private sector organizations. Phanii has successful experience in Productizing Data, AI, and other Digital products with the right Go-To-Market strategies and achieving commercial value for Fortune 500 organizations. Over the years, Phanii has transformed cultures and delivered digital and data solutions that can be leveraged to deliver measurable outcomes to drive organizational goals.
Phanii sits on multiple Data & Analytics and Product advisory boards and is a regular public speaker. Some notable organizations include Chief Data Officer Magazine, Modal.ai, the International Society of CDOs (isCDO), and Evanta. He won CDO 40 under 40 and the Top 50 Data & Analytics Professional award for 2023.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phaniipydimarricdo/
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In this episode, Amir Bormand interviews Joel Dolisy, the CTO of WellSky. They discuss different aspects of organizational design regarding innovation versus transformation, PE versus VC, and different company sizes. Joel also explains how WellSky provides software solutions and analytics capabilities to help healthcare organizations optimize patient care and performance across the acute, post-acute, and community care continuum.
00:03:30 Organizational design requires maximizing collaboration.
00:05:28 Anticipate changes and innovate.
00:10:49 Software as an enabler.
00:16:23 Balancing innovation and risk.
00:23:08 Context is vital for growth.
00:28:56 Design principles guide organizational growth.
Guest:
In his role as chief technology officer, Joel Dolisy manages both product development and information technology for WellSky. Before joining WellSky as CTO, Joel was CTO of Kinnser Software, leading the company’s engineering and product organizations. Before Kinnser, Joel was SVP, CTO, and CIO for SolarWinds, a leading provider of IT management software. With more than 20 years of experience in product strategy and software engineering, Joel is a leader in developing and delivering commercial software products to market.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdolisy/
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In this episode, Kris Shinn, the VP of Engineering at Consensus, shares insights on scaling a single-focus engineering team to a broader or different type of engineering team. The conversation covers the impact on engineering leaders and engineers, managing tribal knowledge, and accommodating different preferences in organization size. Kris also provides an overview of Consensus, a blockchain company specializing in the Ethereum ecosystem. Tune in to gain valuable perspectives on navigating team growth and adapting to a changing industry.
Highlights:
00:00:09 Scaling a single-focused engineering team
00:05:45 Leaders must evolve and adapt.
00:11:08 Managing change requires clear communication.
00:18:10 Navigating career growth in scaling companies.
00:22:10 Importance of process in scaling.
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and we would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.
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In this podcast episode, Amir Bormand interviews Cassie Brown, the VP of Engineering at Bitly. They discuss the importance of the relationship between customer success and engineering teams in improving customer experience. They delve into topics such as feedback loops, improving triage, and ultimately driving adoption and usage. Cassie shares her responsibilities as VP of Engineering at Bitly and the company's mission as a connections platform. Overall, this episode highlights the significance of collaboration between customer success and engineering in enhancing the customer experience.
Highlights:
[00:02:50] Bridging the gap between engineering and customer support.
[00:06:25] Michelin star restaurant analogy.
[00:08:27] Investigating and resolving issues.
[00:13:22] Building relationships for success.
[00:18:22] Service stewardship and bug management.
Guest:
Cassandra Brown is Bitly’s VP of Engineering. She is a people-first leader who manages engineering efforts for Bitly's core product – she ensures that the functionality takes into account user experience and that Bitly can scale and provide a quality experience for all of our users.
Before Bitly, Cassandra earned a Master’s in Computer Information Systems and held roles at Cloud Elements and Oracle.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassandradbrown/
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In this episode, Amir Bormand interviews Salil Joshi, the VP of Engineering at Viant Technology. They discuss the topic of new managers and how to help them succeed. They also touch on the importance of building on their strengths and what they should do in anticipation of becoming a manager. They explore how to measure the effectiveness of a new manager. Salil explains the role of digital advertising and the demand side platform in connecting advertisers with consumers. Overall, this episode offers valuable insights for new and aspiring engineering managers.
Highlights:
[00:01:02] Advertising platform explained.
[00:07:33] Essential and effective management.
[00:11:02] Mentorship and career growth.
[00:12:05] Closing the skills gap.
[00:18:04] AMC Framework
[00:21:31] Asking the right questions.
[00:26:34] Hiring pressure for new managers.
[00:30:09] Adjusting the hiring bar.
[00:34:09] The definition of done.
Guest:
Salil Joshi is a VP of Engineering at Viant Technology. He has 23 years of software industry experience, including 17 as a line manager, 5+ as a manager-of-managers leading multiple onsite and off-shore engineering teams, and 10 years of hands-on software development experience in scalable, distributed, cloud, storage, virtualization, and networking systems. He has experience in SDLC / waterfall, Agile development, and Scrum processes. Salil has worked in Startups and large organizations, service-based and product-based. He holds six patents granted by USPTO and has more than four patents pending.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salil-joshi-52a2334/
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In this episode, Amir Bormand interviews Vinny Sharma, Managing Director at Ernst & Young, about delivery frameworks. They discuss the importance of being a good listener and understanding the root cause of a problem before implementing a solution. Vinny shares his expertise in cloud engineering, cloud-native development, IoT, and agile delivery.
Highlights:
[00:01:33] Consulting and listening skills.
[00:03:52] Short-term wins and long-term vision
[00:09:05] Transformation Approach in Business.
[00:13:32] Creating a value framework.
[00:16:57] AI and its impact.
[00:19:33] Tech maturity and data reliance.
Guest:
As a Transformation Leader, Vinny Sharma leads Emerging technology practices, including Cloud transformation, Cloud native development, Industry 4.0, IOT, DevSecOps, and tech modernization globally. Playing a key technology leadership role around how the various Emerging Technologies, processes, and strategies tie into end-to-end Digital transformation roadmap to drive additional value and efficiencies for Fortune 500 organizations worldwide.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vinnysh/
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In this episode, Amir interviews Ryan Fox, VP of Engineering at Super, about their journey with developer internal tooling and CICD. Ryan talks about the growth of the engineering team and the current focus on internal tooling. He discusses how the team views these internal tools as a competitive advantage.
Highlights:
[00:00:00] Super's journey and growth.
[00:04:27] Mission-aligned teams.
[00:08:33] Elastic Beanstalk's limitations.
[00:13:26] Canarying support.
[00:17:00] Deploy time and frequency.
[00:19:27] Engineering team competitive advantage.
[00:24:37] How to measure team productivity.
[00:26:55] Continuous deployment and lessons learned.
[00:31:09] Maintaining end-to-end testing.
Guest:
Ryan Fox is the VP of Engineering at Super.com, a mobile commerce and fintech platform focused on saving money for people who need to save, not just want to save. Super.com is one of the fastest-growing tech companies in North America and has raised more than USD 100 million to date. Previously, Ryan worked as both a SWE and SRE at Google, where he worked on systems handling millions of requests per second.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-m-fox/
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In this episode, Carlos Peralta, the Director of Data Engineering and Cloud Platform at Moderna Therapeutics, joins Amir Bormand to discuss data transformation and its role as a growth driver. He also highlights his responsibilities as the Director of Cloud Data Platform, which include data strategy, acquisition, and organization. Tune in to learn more about aligning company needs, ROI and overcoming challenges in delivering short-term and long-term data solutions.
Highlights:
[00:02:34] Data transformation and growth.
[00:03:40] Cloud infrastructure and services.
[00:09:09] Offensive capabilities of data.
[00:12:30] Enabling business stakeholders with data.
[00:16:28] New trends in technology.
[00:19:34] Handling urgent requests outside the roadmap.
[00:24:33] Cloud transformation challenges.
[00:25:36] Skill transfer to the cloud.
Carlos Peralta has built, acquired, and scaled technology companies from inception to successful acquisitions by publicly-traded large enterprise companies as a strategic and cloud data platform enthusiast.
Throughout his 18+ year career, he has managed, developed, and launched state-of-the-art cloud data platforms, including the Moderna Cloud Data Platform that supports multiple studies today.
Additionally, Mr. Peralta has been selected to present multiple times at AWS Reinvent on Data Management, Data Platform, AWS Data Exchange, and ETL tools and how they speed, improve, centralize, and standardize data acquisition across the pharma space.
Carlos Peralta holds a BS In Computer Science from the EAN University in Colombia and recently completed an Executive HBS Program at Harvard focused on Data Enablement / AI. He has extensive experience in strategic partnership development, distributed systems, AWS Services, data centers, and cloud infrastructure operations at scale.
Outside of work, Carlos enjoys playing golf, world traveling, practicing CrossFit, and spending time with his wife. His profile can be found at https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlos-a-peralta/
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In this episode, Randy Bean joins the podcast to discuss the evolving role of data and AI leadership. As an advisor to Fortune 1000 CEOs and a best-selling author, Randy shares insights on the challenges companies face in becoming data-driven and how to build a data culture. He draws from his diverse background in the industry to provide valuable expertise on leveraging data for business success. Tune in to learn more about the lessons in data-driven leadership in an age of disruption, big data, and AI.
Highlights:
[00:03:06] The evolving role of data and AI leadership.
[00:04:00] Evolution of the CDO role.
[00:09:01] Power of data in organizations.
[00:12:20] Culture as a barrier.
[00:17:05] Adoption of digital banking.
[00:21:06] Getting business value from data and analytics investments
[00:24:00] Ethics and privacy in data.
Randy Bean has been an advisor to Fortune 1000 organizations on data-driven leadership for 3+ decades. He was CEO of NewVantage Partners, an advisory firm to Fortune 1000 firms on data leadership, which he founded in 2001 and was acquired by Paris-based global consultancy, Wavestone in December 2021. Randy is the author of the bestselling Fail Fast, Learn Faster: Lessons in Data-Driven Leadership in an Age of Disruption, Big Data, and AI, and a current contributor to Forbes, Harvard Business Review, and MIT Sloan Management Review. Randy serves as Innovation Fellow, Data Strategy for Paris-based consultancy Wavestone. You can follow him on LinkedIn at RandyBeanNVP.
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In this episode, Amir Bormand interviews Emilio Schapira, VP of Engineering at Clear Street. They discuss the importance of innovation and migrating applications and processes with care. Emilio shares insights on the challenges and impact of migrations, especially in the complex world of finance. With his expertise in modern technology and infrastructure, Emilio sheds light on how Clear Street is revolutionizing the industry by rebuilding traditional banking practices using cloud-based solutions. Tune in to learn more about the role of engineering in the prime broker space and the careful approach required for successful migrations.
Highlights:
00:02:07 Migrations require careful planning.
00:06:52 Agile testing enables faster innovation.
00:12:09 Testing and comparing systems for data quality during migration.
00:17:21 Deep specialization in the finance industry.
Guest
Emilio Schapira is VP of Engineering at Clear Street, a fintech prime broker building a completely cloud-native prime brokerage and clearing system designed for a complex, modern global market. Before joining Clear Street, Emilio founded two Google Cloud Platform services, Pub/Sub and IoT Core, and led engineering for Waze Ads & Monetization. Emilio has led teams of 60+ engineers and is a founding member of VideoMining Inc., which uses ML and Computer Vision for passive customer behavior research. He has a master's in Computer Science and Engineering from Penn State University and a bachelor's in Computer Science from Universidad Simon Bolivar in Venezuela.
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and we would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.
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In this episode, Hrishank Jhildiyal, the Head of Analytics at Rokt, discusses the impact and growth of engineering in data. He explains how data is becoming more software engineering and how data is becoming more complex to deliver. Tune in to learn more about the evolving role of engineering in data.
Highlights:
00:04:33 Analytics drives business impact.
00:09:56 Metrics drive team performance and impact.
00:12:03 Engineering mindset is key.
00:19:26 Exploring new technologies drives value.
Hrishank is an Analytics and Data Science leader with a strong track record of transforming teams to drive value to organizations through data, models, analyses, and structured analytical thinking. He loves all things data and believes in driving business outcomes by forging a connection between company strategy and data.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/hrishank/
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In this episode, Amir Bormand speaks with Vikas Kumar, the Head of Data, AI, and ML at CNA Insurance. Vikas discusses the importance of a holistic approach to data transformation in moving from legacy to cloud systems. He emphasizes the need to tie this journey to business value, starting with small KPIs, metrics, and OKRs, and involving the business from the beginning to get the best value from the journey.
00:00:12 Productize data with business value. 00:07:44 Data product needs stakeholder trust. 00:13:31 Build based on customer needs. 00:19:34 Crawl, walk, run philosophy. 00:21:34 Leadership style adapts to situations. 00:27:30 Always be learning.
Guest: Vikas Kumar is the Head of Data, AI & ML at CNA Insurance. He is a customer-focused visionary, an accomplished executive, technologist, change agent, innovator, inquisitive, and entrepreneur with over 20+ years of building software, data products, and platforms with solid leadership/technical/product management experience. Deep knowledge in data, AI/ML, on-premises to cloud transformations, and analytics space. Intentional, methodical, and progressive track record at C-level in building and growing teams from start-up to large enterprise with ownership of overall data transformations and product strategies and delivery functions.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vksnov9/
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In this episode, Amir Bormand interviews Utkarsh Sengar, the Director of Engineering at Webflow, about growth engineering and measuring customer behavior. They discuss Webflow's mission to make website building accessible to everyone, regardless of their coding skills, through their no-code platform. Utkarsh explains his role in managing the growth team and building the third-party ecosystem. This episode provides valuable insights into growth engineering and its importance in driving business success.
Highlights
00:03:13 Growth engineering bridges product and business needs.
00:09:21 Partnership with data drives growth.
00:12:03 Impact measurement challenges for growth teams.
00:20:14 Balance FOMO with concrete use cases.
00:22:35 Importance of growth engineering collaboration.
Utkarsh Sengar is a Director of Engineering at Webflow, leading their Growth and Ecosystem pillars. He has previously held various roles at eBay, OpenTable, and Upwork. Moreover, he utilizes his expertise as a technical advisor for startups and as a scout for Cowboy Ventures.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/utsengar
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In this podcast episode, the VP of Engineering at Fond, Srividhya “Vidhya” Chandrasekaran, shares her insights on getting the best out of engineers. She discusses the importance of empowerment, accountability, and mentorship. Vidhya emphasizes the need for leaders to lead the way of their teams rather than telling them what to do. She encourages empowering engineers to come up with their own solutions and ideas, promoting involvement and accountability.
Highlights:
00:02:52 Empower your engineers for success. 00:05:45 Empower employees, take calculated risks. 00:10:05 Focus on continuous feedback. 00:17:30 Managing customer requests and employee burnout.
Guest:
Srividhya “Vidhya” Chandrasekaran is a passionate leader in the software and technology sector with a knack for solving complex problems by synergizing technology and people.
She has consistently held leadership positions throughout their career, guiding teams and products to success while enjoying the process of mentoring others. She's committed to personal and professional development, often seeking insights from expert speakers and literature.
Believing in the potential of everyone, they strive to uplift those who may not be performing at their best, tracing root causes and offering solutions. She encourages continual learning and the challenge of conventional methods in favor of innovation.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/srividhya-chandrasekaran
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In this episode, Nav's VP of Engineering, Gian Perrone, joins Amir Bormand to discuss organizational design and leadership styles. The discussion focuses on how leaders can adapt to the company's culture or change the organization to fit their leadership style. They discuss the importance of assessing the organization before making any changes and the potential pitfalls of imposing a leadership style that doesn't fit the company culture.
Highlights
[00:01:29] Adapting leadership style to organization.
[00:05:21] New leaders and reorgs.
[00:07:04] Change management in organizations.
[00:10:23] Comms plan and collaboration.
[00:14:43] Dealing with organizational change.
Guest:
Gian Perrone is the Head of Engineering at Nav. Before joining Nav, he served as an Engineering Lead at Square Banking, where he played a key role in launching various financial products. Before Square, he worked as a web developer at The Folio Society and a research programmer at the University of Waikato.
He holds a BS and MS in Computer Science from the University of Waikato and a Ph.D. from the IT University of Copenhagen.
With a decade of witnessing small business owners' financial challenges, Gian looks forward to simplifying business financing at Nav. He works from Milwaukee, adding to Nav's distributed team across 23 states.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gianp/
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In this episode, Amir Bormand interviews Prabhath Karanth (PK), the Global Head of Security & Trust at Navan, an all-in-one travel and expense management SaaS platform. They discuss the growth and evolution of the security function and how it interacts with engineering and technology. PK shares insights into how security is scaling and taking on more functions, with everything becoming "as a code." The conversation also covers the role of PK's team in relation to their other peers.
Highlights:
[00:02:02] Security in hypergrowth companies.
[00:03:56] Emerging Technologies and Security.
[00:08:31] Embracing AI technology.
[00:11:11] Privacy risks in document summarization.
[00:16:52] Emerging AI Testing Companies.
[00:17:54] Connecting with experts.
Prabhath Karanth is the Global Head of Security & Trust at Navan, where he oversees product and platform security, detection and response, enterprise security, security architecture, engineering, and GRC & Trust functions.
Prior to joining Navan, Prabhath oversaw cybersecurity at Adobe during the company’s cloud journey and hyper-growth trajectory from $30B to $300B. With 18+ years of experience in the industry, he also has a passion for working with startups and sitting on boards of directors to advise on product & business strategy, market positioning, governance, and solving security and business problems at scale.
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In this episode of Tech Trek, Amir Bormand interviews Andy Foglia, the Director of Engineering at JupiterOne, to discuss adjusting management styles after joining a new company. Andy talks about his experience of transitioning from a big company to a startup and gives insights on how to adapt to new management styles. He also sheds light on the Jupiter One product that helps security practitioners understand what assets they have within their enterprise and identify potential vulnerabilities.
Highlights:
[00:01:15] Adjusting your management style.
[00:03:05] Transitioning to a new challenge.
[00:06:36] Taking risks in management.
[00:10:05] Startup planning cycles.
[00:11:26] Building relationships for success.
[00:15:31] Transitioning to startups.
[00:17:29] Managing engineers and staff.
Guest: Andy Foglia has over eight years of experience as a Director of Software Engineering in education technology and Cybersecurity. Andy currently works at JupiterOne, a data platform applied to security use cases that delivers unified cyber insights to organizations. He manages the Integrations and Site Reliability engineering teams, which focus on data collection from 100+ platforms and enabling the engineering organization to improve the design and operation of its systems to be more reliable and scalable. JupiterOne secured Series C funding in 2022 with a $1B valuation. Previously, Andy worked at McGraw Hill as a Director of Software Engineering focused on Enterprise Integrations with 3rd party systems and all K12 digital products. During his time there, the organization transformed its business towards digital solutions, and Andy was responsible for building and managing several engineering teams focused on new digital products. Andy received a BS in Computer Science and Engineering from UCLA.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-foglia-ab244758/
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In this episode, the host interviews Rebecca Greene, the co-founder and CTO of Regal.io, about her journey from a product background to engineering leadership. Regal.io is an outbound phone and SMS sales solution that helps B2C brands drive more conversations. Greene is responsible for the product, engineering, design, data, and people and talent teams at Regal.io. She started her career in financial services and consulting but later transitioned to product and engineering leadership. The conversation covers her experiences and insights on balancing different hats and leading a team.
Highlights:
00:00:00 Balancing product and engineering leadership. 00:05:13 Product and engineering blurred lines. 00:10:09 CTOs need to think beyond the product. 00:15:16 Early-stage company employees benefit from wearing multiple hats.
Guest:
Rebecca Greene is Co-Founder and CTO of Regal.io -- an outbound phone and sms sales solution for B2C brands. She leads the engineering, product, and data teams. Prior to Regal, Rebecca was an early employee and Chief Product Officer at Handy, sold to ANGI. Rebecca grew up in South Florida and received her BA from Columbia and MBA from Harvard.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-greene-31b98513/
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In this episode, the host interviews Peter Kapur, the Head of Data Governance and Data Quality at CarMax. They discuss the importance of data governance as an offensive strategy rather than just a defensive one. Peter explains his role in making data an asset that drives business and improves profitability, customer experience, and associate experience. They also touch on privacy as a component of data governance and the need to change the mindset around data governance from a defensive weapon to an offensive one.
Highlights:
00:00:09 Data governance as an offensive enabler.
00:07:00 Shift from defense to offense.
00:12:40 Think outside the framework.
00:19:25 Data governance adds business value.
Guest:
Peter Kapur has more than 25 years in driving innovation in Data Management, with a focus on practical operationalization of Product Strategy, Data Strategy, Data Governance, Master Data, Data Quality, Metadata, and Data Stewardship. He is an Industry leader & Visionary, having led the operationalization of Data Analytics and Data Governance for several organizations, including Waste Management, JP Morgan, AIG, Depository Trust, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs & Credit Suisse.
An industry pioneer in driving a business-centric view in leveraging a component-based Data Strategy tied to specific business objectives International Speaker, including a keynote at FIMA conference, MDM/DQ, DGIQ, Data Summit Strategic Product & Industry Advisor to several Data vendors
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterkapur
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In this episode of the podcast, Peter Teitelbaum, director of site reliability engineering at Peacock, discusses the SRE function and the business impact of building it out. Peacock is a TV streaming service that offers both video-on-demand and live offerings. Peter's role at Peacock was to build out the SRE team and define what SRE meant at Peacock. The discussion covers the importance of resiliency, stability, automation, infrastructure management, and observability in ensuring the platform is robust and reliable.
Highlights:
[00:03:04] Building SRE on Four Pillars.
[00:06:25] Relationship between SRE and security.
[00:08:15] Importance of resiliency.
[00:11:53] Remote vs On-site Work.
[00:17:30] SRE maturity never ends.
[00:18:23] Managing code for automation.
[00:21:56] SRE Job Technologies.
Peter Teitelbaum is the Director of Site Reliability Engineering for NBCUniversal's Peacock TV streaming service. As part of the team that launched Peacock in 2020, he created a SRE culture and established several SRE teams that support the platform. Prior to joining Peacock, Peter spent over ten years at iHeartMedia, where he was focused on technology across several products, including a radio station web platform, launching iHeartRadio, and audio streaming.
Peter's roots are in software engineering, learning his first programming language in the mid-90s. Peter has focused on software engineering, platform architecture, operations, software delivery, infrastructure management, and Site Reliability Engineering throughout his career.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-teitelbaum/
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In this episode, Amir Bormand interviews Karan Uppal, EVP of Engineering at Evolution IQ, about building AI native products. They discuss the difference between building AI native products and what goes into it. Karan's responsibilities include hiring and growing the engineering team, ensuring technology strategy aligns with business goals, and ensuring the organization can execute and deliver on product commitments.
Highlights
[00:02:23] AI native products.
[00:07:16] Thinking about higher dimensions.
[00:10:48] Variability in AI outcomes.
[00:14:16] Ramp up time for AI.
[00:18:07] Building Confidence in Software.
[00:22:19] Hiring in the market economy.
Guest
Karan Uppal is a data science leader with experience at the forefront of Natural Language Processing, time series data ingestion, and product creation. Karan leads our data science organization but also is a hands-on client advocate and engagement partner.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karanuppal/
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In this episode, the host interviews Jordan Adler, Head of Product Engineering at OneSignal, a customer engagement platform. Jordan discusses how his team sets up and measures objectives and key results (OKRs) from a team, company, and personal perspective. OKRs are used to drive retention, revenue, re-engagement, resurrection, and other major kinds of lifecycle marketing metrics. Jordan also explains how his team operates independently with their OKRs. This episode is a useful guide for anyone interested in implementing OKRs in their organization.
Highlights:
[00:00:23] Customer engagement platform.
[00:03:49] Setting stretch goals.
[00:08:04] Personal and team goals.
[00:13:02] Personal career development plan.
[00:17:24] OKRs: A Critical Management Tool.
[00:20:06] Implementing OKRs in startups.
Jordan M. Adler is the Head of Product Engineering at OneSignal, where he drives the cutting edge of customer engagement and messaging.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanmadler
In this episode, Amir Bormand talks with Ashu Agte, the CTO at Artera, about dealing with an exit and its impact on organizational transformation and design. Artera is a messaging platform for health systems that aims to improve patient experience and satisfaction. Ashu shares his experience and insights on the responsibilities of an engineering leader, organizational restructuring, and the challenges of managing a team during an exit. He also highlights the importance of communication and transparency in the process.
Highlights:
[00:01:06] Improving patient experience.
[00:04:19] Startup leadership and acquisition.
[00:08:34] Post-acquisition challenges.
[00:14:21] Criteria for choosing a job.
[00:17:18] Uncomfortable vs Patient.
[00:22:24] Situational leadership.
[00:24:21] Empathy in Leadership.
[00:30:08] Executive coaching and self-improvement.
[00:35:30] Measuring engineering success.
[00:37:10] Engineering Analytics Metrics.
Guest:
Ashu Agte is the Chief Technology Officer at Artera. A seasoned software engineering leader, he brings over 20+ years of experience overseeing engineering organizations at hyper-growth SaaS companies, including through multiple successful exits. Ashu has a proven track record of product development, team growth, and technical innovation.
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In this episode, the host interviews Chris Majka, staff VP of Business Intelligence at FM Global, a commercial property insurer. Chris shares insights about his team's structure, which includes ten analysts with a mix of experience levels. He also explains how they approach working with stakeholders with a centralized and advanced data analytics team. The discussion also touches on onboarding new team members and making them valuable contributors. Overall, the episode provides valuable insights into data analytics in a commercial insurance context.
Highlights:
[00:02:30] Stakeholder discussions and requirements.
[00:04:08] Building a talent pipeline.
[00:08:39] Providing and incorporating feedback.
[00:12:02] Prioritizing stakeholders and requirements.
[00:16:37] Technology FOMO.
[00:18:27] Re-platforming and team morale.
Christopher Majka has been managing and leading teams for ten years in various industries. Chris is currently a Staff Vice President of Business Intelligence at FM Global, where he manages a team of 11. The Business Intelligence team strives to empower the larger org by providing tools and insights so they can make better decisions. Away from work, he is a husband and father, star wars fan, and enjoys playing golf and running (occasionally).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-majka-mba/
https://twitter.com/CJMajka
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In this episode of the podcast, the host interviews Anna Chalon, Head of People at Runway, a content creation platform powered by machine learning. The discussion focuses on building a feedback culture, with Anna defining it as ingrained in the day-to-day without additional efforts. Topics covered include the benefits of a feedback culture, the steps to building one, and lessons learned from implementing it at Runway. The episode offers insights into creating a healthy culture where employees can learn, grow, and thrive.
Highlights:
[00:01:51] Feedback culture defined
[00:04:13] Demystifying feedback culture.
[00:08:06] Giving and Receiving Feedback.
[00:11:44] Giving constructive feedback.
[00:17:10] Radical candor and feedback.
[00:19:27] Psychological safety and inclusion.
[00:23:24] Company culture and feedback.
[00:29:26] Feedback training in triads.
[00:31:37] Giving Feedback and Validation.
[00:35:08] Feedback culture in relationships.
[00:40:03] Culture of remote vs hybrid.
Guest:
Anna Chalon is originally from Paris, France, where she studied Private Law before moving to London to study guitar and songwriting and eventually moving to NYC in 2012.
She pursued a singer-songwriter career for a few years, allowing her to receive a Green Card and transition into a different career!
She joined the Recruiting team at Percolate, a Marketing SaaS company, and led the department a few years later. She then went on to join Frame.io as the 50th employee to build the Recruiting and DE&I functions.
For 4.5 years there, she helped the company scale to over 300 by the time of its acquisition by Adobe. She stayed on for six months post-acquisition to work on integration initiatives before transitioning to a new role as Head of People at Runway.
Runway is a Series C content creation software powered by AI. The company has scaled from 30 to 45 employees in less than a year and has exciting growth plans for the remainder of 2023.
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In this episode, Amir Bormand interviews Aruneesh Salhotra, Nomura's global head of application security. They discuss the future of attack surface management (ASM) and the additional risks posed by shadow IT. Aruneesh explains the differences between ASM and other components of security and shares his experience as a fractional CISO for his own consulting company, S&M Consulting, where he advises organizations on setting up security programs. They also touch on Aruneesh's experience helping numerous organizations with their cloud assessments, including AWS and Azure.
Highlights:
[00:02:26] Attack Surface Management and Risks.
[00:06:33] Cloud security and attack surface.
[00:10:29] Attack Surface Management program.
[00:12:17] Integrating DAS with ASM.
[00:17:30] Keeping Technology FOMO in check.
Security, Infrastructure, Fractional-CISO | Lifetime learner | Generalist | All views expressed are my personal opinions | Ex-Oracle | Ex-Liquidnet / Ex-Nortel
https://www.linkedin.com/in/aruneeshsalhotra/
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In this episode, Amir Bormand interviews James Turnbull, SVP of Engineering at Sotheby's, about organizational design. James shares his experience working with early-stage startups and emphasizes the importance of scaling best practices. He also talks about dealing with cultural changes and logistics while working with legacy companies. James explains his role as the owner of all engineering functions, including mobile and data engineering, at Sotheby's. They touch upon Sotheby's diverse business ventures, including an e-commerce luxury goods marketplace and a financial services business, SFS, that lends money against art.
Highlights:
[00:02:30] Scaling a growing company.
[00:04:09] Hiring with forethought.
[00:08:09] Suitability of Name Brands.
[00:12:08] Working with RSUs.
[00:16:12] Technology as a cost center.
[00:17:38] Suitability for startup vs mature company.
[00:21:21] Attracting talent with brand reputation.
[00:24:26] Managing technology FOMO.
James is an engineering, product, and business leader with over twenty-five years of experience. He focuses on helping companies build culture, leaders, and teams that develop and ship products that delight users. James coaches people to become better leaders and engineers and to build environments that make teams and individuals more productive and effective.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/turnbulljames/
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In this episode of the podcast, Amir interviews Matt Drozdz, the Engineering Manager of Observability at Okta. They discuss best practices for observability, differentiation with SRE teams, and hiring challenges. Matt explains Okta's role in simplifying security for developers and shares his journey as a new observability manager at the company.
Highlights:
[00:01:43] Observability and its importance.
[00:03:07] Observability in SRE teams.
[00:08:56] Cost reduction in observability.
[00:09:36] Observability and OpenTelemetry.
[00:14:36] Finding purpose in observability.
[00:18:35] Moving into the observability role.
[00:19:56] Skills gap in tracing.
[00:23:28] Impact of AI on observability.
[00:25:57] Observability in software development.
Matt Drozdz is a lover of technology and a people-first servant leader who firmly believes that in order to get the most out of your team, you need to lead with great empathy and understanding so everyone can bring their most authentic selves to work. In my spare time, I love to spend time with my wife and four kids, being active in my church, trying new foods, and traveling.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mdrozdz17/
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In this episode of the podcast, Amir talks to Vlad Eidelman. Vlad is the CTO of Fiscal Note and joins this podcast to discuss his journey toward becoming CTO. Fiscal Note is a software-as-a-service company that collects, analyzes, and refines policy and regulation data from local to global levels to help its customers understand how laws and regulations can impact their businesses and nonprofits. Vlad has been working in the industry for 15 years, focusing on building machine learning systems, becoming the first data science hire, and ultimately managing the R&D side of the business.
[00:05:48] Perseverance in career growth.
[00:06:33] Continuous Learning and Development.
[00:11:21] Helping People Ask Questions Comfortably.
[00:14:20] Overcoming communication barriers.
[00:17:06] Importance of self-assessment.
[00:19:50] Leadership and team structure.
[00:24:30] Transitioning to a manager.
[00:28:13] Value of computer science education.
Vlad Eidelman is the CTO and Chief Scientist at FiscalNote, where he is responsible for setting the technology vision and execution strategy for the global R&D organization. He holds a Ph.D. in CS and has over 15 years of experience developing, leading, and advising technology teams, building diverse SaaS and consumer products with state-of-the-art machine learning and NLP systems.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veidelman/
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On this episode of Tech Trek, Amir asks Suresh Teckchandani, the VP of Product and Engineering at Ancestry, how to balance the need for speed with quality when delivering value at scale. As companies grow and expectations increase, quality becomes crucial to making or breaking a product. Suresh explains that the key is to focus on automation and establishing good communication channels between teams to ensure that quality is not sacrificed for speed.
Highlights
[00:01:15] Balancing quality and velocity.
[00:03:44] Experimenting with ideas.
[00:07:15] Managing tech debt properly.
[00:10:51] Team-specific metrics.
[00:14:26] Company's Purpose and Execution.
[00:19:26] Successful team values and principles.
Suresh Teckchandani
Technology executive with over 25 years of experience building customer-facing SaaS products and services, technology platforms, and mar-tech stacks at scale.
Connect with Suresh at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teckchandani/
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On this episode of Tech Trek, Lisa Hall, Chief Information Security Officer, talks about her experiences building a security program at the genetic testing company. The program covers infrastructure security, application security, product security, governance, risk, and compliance. Lisa discusses the challenges and strategies in building and maintaining a security program in a constantly evolving landscape.
Highlights
[00:02:29] Building security strategies.
[00:03:42] Adapting to different company cultures.
[00:07:16] Engineering first organizations.
[00:11:16] Finding security champions.
[00:14:30] Celebrating quick wins.
[00:17:25] Finding the right leadership voice.
[00:20:49] Cybersecurity and Business Impact.
[00:23:55] Productivity and motivation.
[00:27:47] Call-to-action for engagement.
With over 16 years of experience in information security, Lisa Hall has built security programs from the ground up and optimized existing security and compliance initiatives at scale. She focuses on building holistic security strategies and comprehensive information security management programs- ensuring products and business systems are developed with security in mind.
Lisa has experience building and growing teams, leading companies through IPO, acquisitions & mergers, and leading Application/Product Security, Infrastructure Security, and Compliance programs (SOX, SOC2, ISO 27001, FISMA, FedRAMP, & HITRUST). She believes security should make it easy to do the right thing. Lisa has previously held Information Security roles at PagerDuty, Twilio, and EY.
Lisa is a Venture Advisor at YL Ventures and an Advisory Board Member for Day of Shecurity. She is also a co-author in "Reinventing Cybersecurity"- A JupiterOne book authored by female and non-binary security practitioners.
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In this episode of Tech Trek, the host interviews AJ Wasserman, Portfolio Product Owner of Cloud FinOps & Tech Data Insights at Liberty Mutual Insurance, about the financial aspects of cloud computing. She discusses the challenges and cost considerations that come with cloud migration and the importance of monitoring and optimizing cloud usage to maximize cost savings. She provides valuable insights for businesses considering or currently utilizing cloud computing.
Highlights:
[00:02:34] Cloud financial operations.
[00:03:26] Cloud cost management.
[00:08:50] Cloud adoption challenges.
[00:11:29] Automation for optimization.
[00:13:03] Cloud cost optimization strategies.
[00:17:50] FinOps and DevOps integration.
[00:19:15] Cloud cost optimization advice.
[00:23:23] Pace of change in the cloud.
Guest:
Angela “AJ” Wasserman, Portfolio Product Owner of Cloud FinOps & Tech Data Insights, Liberty Mutual Insurance
AJ has over 20 years of experience in both financial management and data analytics. In her current role, she is responsible for the development and execution of strategic global priorities within the Cloud FinOps and Tech Data Insight spaces, with a focus on leveraging data to improve the developer experience and to optimize technology investments.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-aj-wasserman-0871146/
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On this episode of The Tech Trek, Shiva Parinandi, SVP of Cloud Infrastructure and Advancement at Paramount+, joins as a guest to discuss the challenges of dealing with the cloud at a large scale. He discusses the scale of his company and how they handle the technical aspects of dealing with cloud operations at a large scale. He explains that the amount of preparation needed depends on the size of the event. Shiva guides us through the significance of both the science and art of scaling for such large operations.
Highlights
[00:01:31] Large-scale live events on a streaming platform.
[00:07:30] Website traffic monitoring.
[00:10:20] Scaling for high-pressure situations.
[00:13:14] Scaling cloud infrastructure horizontally.
[00:18:06] Cloud Security Implications.
[00:22:05] Competition in the entertainment industry.
Guest:
Shiva Paranandi
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shivaparanandi/
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In this episode of Tech Trek, Amir interviews Charlie Greene, the co-founder, and CEO of Rimento. This mobile app allows users to collect and enrich their family's most treasured stories and memories. Charlie talks about his journey of chasing his passion and turning it into a business. He shares details about Rimento's science-backed framework for uncovering stories and how it provides the tools to record, organize, and share memories with loved ones. Charlie also discusses his responsibilities as CEO, including fundraising, finance, strategy, marketing, and partnerships. Overall, this episode offers insight into the intersection of personal interests and business growth.
Notes:
[00:02:31] Finding purpose through storytelling.
[00:03:42] Importance of home video footage.
[00:08:43] Career pivots and Steve Jobs.
[00:12:06] Solving the problem of legacy.
[00:14:11] Starting a Business. Just Start!
[00:17:30] Building without code.
[00:20:41] Importance of storytelling.
[00:23:47] Contact Information.
Guest:
Charlie is the Co-Founder and CEO of Remento, an early-stage venture making it easier than ever to collect and enrich your family’s most treasured memories. Before founding Remento, Charlie held a variety of media and storytelling roles, including as a speechwriter in the Obama Administration and Public Affairs Director at 21st Century Fox. Previously, Charlie was a consultant with Burson-Marsteller’s crisis communications team and held multiple roles at NBC News. Charlie received a BA in Political Science from Brown University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlie-greene-2b649b23/
https://twitter.com/greenechar
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This episode of Tech Trek features Susan Dikramanjan, a member of the IT leadership team at John Hancock, a Manulife company, who shares her insights on upskilling and ensuring optimal team efficiency, performance, and execution. Susan discusses her experience setting up an upskilling program at Manulife and the benefits of promoting a culture of lifelong learning within a team. As a lifelong learner, she highlights the importance of constantly seeking new knowledge and developing new skills for personal and professional growth.
Highlights:
[00:01:09] Upskilling program.
[00:03:54] Gamifying Learning with Salesforce.
[00:07:39] Balancing workload and upskilling.
[00:11:37] Upskilling for marketability.
[00:16:28] Learning new technologies.
[00:20:24] Upskilling program insights.
[00:23:59] Delivery efficiency in management.
Susan Dikramanjian is part of the IT Leadership Team at John Hancock / Manulife. Susan is accountable for the teams building the Storefronts, Contact Center Automation, Chatbots /AI, Back End APIs, and the Platform Teams. Susan has been with Manulife for nearly four years and has over 20 years of industry experience. Before Manulife, Susan worked in various Software Provider Companies. Susan holds an undergraduate Computer Science Degree as well as a Finance MBA.
www.linkedin.com/in/susan-dikramanjian
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How do you become a company owner, especially with few resources or capital? Ken Babcock, Co-Founder and CEO of Tango, offers his insights on this episode of The Tech Trek. Ken also discusses several key moments in his career with host Amir Bormand.
Show Notes
03:23 - Ken discusses his past experiences with Uber and Atomic.
08:05 - How do you know when you’re ready to start a company?
11:43 - Going back to school vs. searching for more opportunities.
20:26 - How can you resolve your weaknesses as a founder?
27:28 - Do priorities and goals change during your tenure as a founder?
About:
Ken Babcock is the Co-founder and CEO of Tango, which allows users to create step-by-step how-to guides with perfectly cropped screenshots, in seconds. Ken, along with his co-founders Brian Shultz and Dan Giovacchini, dropped out of Harvard Business School during the pandemic to start the company. Since then, the company has grown to over 300,000 users and 35 full-time team members. Tango’s launch on Product Hunt in September 2021 earned many accolades: #1 Product of the Day, #1 Product of the Week, and one of four finalists for Product Hunt’s Product of the Year.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenbabcock/
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Allan Cutler, Director of Engineering at Endpoint, discusses why data-driven leadership is important on this episode of The Tech Trek. Allan also shares several standout moments from his 15 years as a technology leader with host Amir Bormand.
Highlights
00:47 - Allan explains what data-driven leadership means to him.
06:03 - Finding the right software for the right job.
11:17 - Using data to overcome tech debt.
16:35 - The impact of high-level metrics on data.
21:12 - Allan’s best practices for continued education concerning data.
About:
Allan Cutler is a technology leader with 15+ years in the software industry. Extensive experience leading engineering and creative teams through the software delivery lifecycle, while staying customer and product-driven. Proven track record for building highly capable technology organizations to meet business goals within startup and enterprise environments.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamcutler/
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This episode of The Tech Trek features Harish Parwani, the VP of Platform Engineering at CarGurus. Host Amir Bormand and Harish discuss the intricacies of shared services and how teams can maximize their productivity.
Highlights
00:56 - Harish offers his perspective and experience with shared services.
03:12 - Why do we need shared services?
06:37 - How do shared services impact team structure?
13:02 - Demonstrating the value of shared services to leadership teams.
16:45 - Prepping shared service teams for mergers and acquisitions.
21:04 - What’s the “wrong way” of organizing shared services?
About:
Harish Parwani is VP of Platform Engineering at CarGurus. He is responsible for managing and leading multiple teams responsible for varying aspects of platform engineering. He brings with him almost 20 years of experience in the tech industry focused on DevOps and the previous avatars of DevOps. Harish holds a Master of Science Degree from New York University and is fluent in English, Danish and Hindi.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/harishparwani/
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Partha Chakraborty, security executive at Humana, joins host Amir Bormand in episode #230 of The Tech Trek. He and Amir explore the critical factors contributing to successful - and unsuccessful - cloud security projects.
Highlights
00:51 - Partha shares his perspective on what contributes to the successful adoption of Cloud security services.
09:20 - What is the “Fail-Fast” approach, and how does it apply to Cloud Security?
15:46 - How to keep matrix teams aligned on Cloud transformation projects.
22:48 - Partha offers advice for dealing with common (cloud security) challenges when adopting the Cloud.
About:
Partha has over 20 years of cyber security leadership experience in the financial services and healthcare industry. An active speaker and panelist in major cyber security conferences worldwide, and frequently called in for views and interviews in electronic media like The Economist, UK. Very passionate about learning new technologies and writing on recent groundbreaking cyber trends. He is also the founder of the Cloud Security Practitioner Council, a practitioner-driven forum to create security guidelines for the industry. Partha sits on the advisory board of a few security startups like Oak9 and TrueFort and on the Dean's Board at the New Jersey Institute of Technology.
Currently, he is heading up security architecture, engineering, and cloud for Humana Inc, a Fortune 46 healthcare company. Prior to Humana, Partha held executive leadership roles with Bank of Montreal, JP Morgan Chase, Merrill Lynch, Bank of America, and Guardian Life Insurance Company. A CISSP, CCSP, CEH, CHFI certified security evangelist holding a Bachelor’s degree in engineering from NIT Rourkela, a Master's in Cyber Security from Western Governors University, another Master's in Technology Management from Columbia University, a cyber security professional certificate from Stanford University and executive CTO university credit program from Wharton Business School and the University of Pennsylvania. Currently researching security challenges in API, Microservices, Key, and posture management space. Partha also has two patents under his name for JP Morgan and Humana Inc.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/parthasarathi-chakraborty-baa24810/
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In this episode of The Tech Trek, host Amir Bormand interviews Roman Kleiner, the VP of Engineering at Egnyte. How and when do you decide to hire external talent when working on a task? When should you promote internally over hiring externally? These are just some of today’s topics.
Show Notes
00:50 - What factors cause companies to look for external help?
06:27 - Is it possible to seamlessly integrate external talent with your team?
11:03 - The pros and cons of letting internal talent handle a challenging task.
13:21 - How far does institutional knowledge go?
17:22 - Culture fit versus culture add when hiring externally.
About Our Guest:
Roman is a technical engineering leader specializing in rapidly building and scaling SaaS products. He brings a strong focus on execution, domain expertise, and operating at a global scale. Roman was responsible for building and expanding teams that took new cybersecurity products to market, which then saw growth into billions of daily transactions, and grew ARR from zero to seven figures.
Guest Social Media:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/romankleiner/
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Jonathan Villa, Practice Director of Cloud Security at GuidePoint, meets with host Amir Bormand in this episode of The Tech Trek. Jonathan shares his insights on how organizations can build effective Cloud security teams and adapt to a changing environment.
Highlights
2:29 - How to upskill your Security team for the Cloud.
7:46 - Best practices for integrating Cloud security.
11:21 - Which skills best equip you for Cloud Security?
14:02 - Working with Cloud Security for the first time.
19:21 - How do you start learning and training for Cloud Security?
Guest:
For more than twenty-two years Jonathan (“JV”) has served as a hands-on leader in various roles throughout information technology and cyber security. JV has been responsible for the growth and leadership of a national cloud security practice and worked side-by-side with his team to deliver services across various verticals. JV has served as an advisor to startups providing CIO/CTO services and consulted with enterprise-level CIO, CTO, and CISO leaders.
Social Media:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanvilla/-----Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and we would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.comHave questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
This episode of The Tech Trek features Vinod Ralhan, Director of Engineering at SurePrep. Vinod has immense experience managing projects and working with Microsoft Azure. He shares his best practices for using Azure for migration and modernization.
Highlights
2:50 - Vinod recalls what his on-premises environments looked like before Azure.
4:36 - Which internal and external professionals can help with the transition?
8:09 - What sort of timeline can you expect when integrating Azure?
10:41 - Best practices for building your Azure implementation roadmap.
11:59 - How to hire the right people while implementing new technology.
16:09 - How to help your team adapt to Azure quickly
Guest:
Vinod Ralhan is a results-driven technology leader with 25+ years’ of experience in software architecture and development. A great mix of hands-on technical skills as well as management exposure. Implemented large-scale projects to impact the organization’s bottom line directly. Worked with off-shore development teams with proven results. Excellent communication skills. Believes in work-life balance, and when not at work, he spends time with family or swimming with his eleven-year-old daughter.
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Host Amir Bormand speaks with Leadership Coach Taha Hussain in Episode 226 of The Tech Trek. Taha started his career as a software engineer who made his way into management. Now, he helps teams and individuals improve their leadership skills.
Highlights:
2:05 - How can you motivate someone to try something they’re initially uncomfortable with?
5:34 - Can a blameless culture help or hinder growth?
9:11 - Making time to learn new skills.
14:04 - How can leaders overcome their own fears?
22:36 - Best practices for motivating people via 1 on 1’s.
Guest:
Taha Hussain is an accomplished executive leader with 20+ years of experience leading teams and delivering billions in value. He's a visionary leader with a philosophy on leadership and teamwork that's popular in the personal development community. Taha has held key leadership positions at companies such as Microsoft, Walmart, Yahoo, and startups. He holds a master's in software management from Carnegie Mellon University. As an executive coach, Taha helps individuals grow their leadership skills and transform their careers. His ultimate goal is to empower everyone to become the best version of themselves and make the world a better place.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tahahussain/
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Host Amir Bormand speaks with Indy Khare, the Head of Engineering at Convex. Indy previously worked with Google to reach 1 billion users for Google Photos. Transitioning back to a startup has a host of challenges and opportunities that Indy is happy to discuss.
Highlights:
2:25 - Indy shares how he landed his position with Google.
8:26 - How to know if you should leave a large company for a startup.
11:04 - Learning which organization is right for you.
14:39 - Readjusting to a work environment with fewer resources.
17:03 - Why do talented people leave large companies in the first place?
Guest:
Indy is the Head of Engineering at Convex, a modern application platform with a database and backend. Before Convex, Indy helped build and grow Google Photos from 0 to 1 billion users. Indy is passionate about building great human experiences and how products fit into people’s lives.
Contact Indy:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/indrajitkhare/
https://twitter.com/ikhare
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Host Amir Bormand sits down with Paul Kocan in this episode of The Tech Trek. Paul is the Senior Director of Infrastructure Services at CCC Intelligent Solutions. Today, he shares his experience with promoting a culture of accountability on a company-wide scale.
Highlights
04:29 - Paul explains how “the power of focus” can strengthen infrastructure.
10:34 - Transparency makes all the difference regarding accountability.
18:00 - Here’s how leaders can support their teams when tackling new challenges.
20:43 - Can leaders increase their tolerance for mistakes and failures?
25:32 - How to effectively keep track of what works and doesn’t work for your team.
Guest: Paul Kocan
When they’re not at CCC, Paul is a devoted family man and loves spending time learning and discussing history, philosophy, and political theory.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-kocan-68b995/
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Is it possible for a team to think and act quickly without sacrificing quality? This episode of The Tech Trek delves into this ever-divisive topic. Host Amir Bormand asks Ross Desmond, Head of Software at Butlr, to share his insights and experience on building fast and functional teams.
Highlights:
03:57 - Here’s how to start building fast teams the right way.
06:55 - Ross recommends asking yourself this question before broadening your scope.
12:54 - How can you keep your teams focused as they separate and expand?
17:59 - Building confidence and trust with your team.
20:03 - Ross shares his insights for dealing with the errors and mistakes that your team might make.
Guest:
Ross Desmond is currently Head of Software for Butlr, previously a manager, robotics engineer, and software engineer at Amazon. His professional passion is developing people while delivering difficult projects. He finds we grow the most when working on hard problems together, and enjoy the challenges of management in these scenarios. In his spare time, he paraglides, snowboards/skis, and generally enjoys the outdoors.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rossdesmond/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ross.desmond
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Vijay Rudrappa joins The Tech Trek to share his extensive experience working with manufacturing-first organizations. Vijay is the Head of Security, Cloud, and DevOps at Lennox. Wearing many different hats over the years has granted Vijay unique insights.
Highlights:
05:48 - Vijay discusses how he’s helped companies transition into the tech space.
09:38 - Which priorities matter the most when a company transitions?
16:53 - How to ensure your team reaches targets and not just metrics.
21:40 - Here’s how you can effectively measure your metrics.
24:28 - What is a “center of excellence” team?
Guest
Technology Evangelist. I Live and Breathe "agile & automation".
Vijay enjoys bringing organization-wide transformations and helping teams realize their untapped potential.
Backed by 22 years of experience working at small, medium, and large organizations, he continues to leverage his technical expertise in areas of DevOps, Security, Infrastructure, Cloud, and Automation to solve problems, and develop work class products, in the most efficient and "secure" way.
He has led multi-site teams across the globe and has been responsible for innovations in the software development lifecycle, with 5+ times ROI and tens of millions in savings realization.
He is an active speaker in conferences, forums, and round table conferences on topics that he is passionate about such as:
Automation | DevOps | Cloud | Security | Infrastructure as Code | DevSecOps | CyberSecurity | SASE | Containerization | Microservices
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vijay-rudrappa/
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In today’s episode of The Tech Trek, host Amir Bormand talks with Atul Tulshibagwale, the Chief Technology Officer at Signal. Amir and Atul discuss Open Standards and the various factors that contribute to the creation of new standards.
Highlights
03:39 - Atul explains what Open Standards are.
06:56 - How to determine if a phenomenon could be an Open Standard
11:35 - How can you encourage more people to support your ideas?
15:49 - What are some of the best ways to join in on a project, even if you have little experience?
20:17 - Atul shares his best practices for finding the right Standards body to contribute to.
Guest:
Atul Tulshibagwale is a federated identity pioneer and the inventor of CAEP. He provides technical leadership at SGNL. He conceptualized the Continuous Access Evaluation Protocol (CAEP), which forms the basis of the Shared Signals and Events working group in the OpenID Foundation. Prior to joining SGNL, he was a technical leader at Google where he focussed on access security. He was a co-founder and the CEO of Trustgenix (acquired by Hewlett Packard), where he defined the federation server, a concept that was later adopted by almost all identity vendors. He helped define open standards such as the Liberty Alliance and SAML 2.0. He continued with HP as the Director of the Federation. Prior to joining Google, Atul was at MobileIron as an Identity Architect.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tulshi/
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Host Amir Bormand interviews Dr. Lauran Star on this episode of The Tech Trek. Dr. Star is a Workplace Inclusion, Diversity & Equity Psychologist. She and Amir explore virtual diversity and inclusion.
Highlights:
03:08 - Dr. Star explains why your organization needs both diversity and inclusion.
08:50 - Here’s how D&I can improve your workspace both culturally and productively.
17:59 - What are some of the limits of inclusion in the workplace?
24:09 - How can you practice D&I at every level of your organization?
28:09 - Is it possible to stay connected with your employees as your company grows?
Guest:
Dr. Lauran Star’s known for transforming leadership and organizational culture, by pushing the edge of the status quo to achieve greater employee engagement, culture, inclusion, and diversity. Being the first Inclusion & Diversity Psychologist in the United States, Dr. Star’s focus is Evidence-Based Inclusion, Diversity & Equality (ID&E).
As a Senior HR leader with 20+ years of success driving high-performing organizational cultures and employees, Dr. Star is raising the ID&E bar while driving measurable change within organizations through data-driven strategies. Known for uncovering blind spots to achieve optimal performance and enhanced retention, she dives in where others tread lightly yet is insightful, warm, and approachable.
Her own affinities go beyond being a woman, as she is a veteran of the United States Armed
Forces, serving in Desert Storm, has a learning disability and was raised in a multicultural family. Prior to her corporate life, she performed on and off Broadway.
Dr. Star holds a Ph.D. in Industrial Organizational Psychology specializing in Inclusion, Diversity & Equity. A bestselling author and well-known media expert, her thought leadership touches many. She is an extinguished researcher and practitioner in the field of inclusion, diversity & equality.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauranstar/
Website: https://www.drlauranstar.com/
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Ben Rothke, Senior Information Security Manager at Tapad, is the featured guest on this episode of The Tech Trek. Host Amir Bormand asks Ben to share his insights about Cyber Security and employee burnout.
Highlights:
2:09 - Ben gives us an overview of burnout in the Cyber Security industry.
6:43 - Which signs should managers look for that indicate burnout?
10:32 - How can people get into the Cyber Security industry?
16:55 - The relationship between security and information technology.
19:18 - Ben offers his perspective on the near future of Cyber Security.
About:
Ben Rothke, CISSP, CISA is a Senior Information Security Specialist at Tapad and has over 20 years of industry experience in information systems security and privacy.
His areas of expertise are in risk management and mitigation, security, and privacy regulatory issues, design & implementation of systems security, encryption, cryptography, and security policy development.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrothke/
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In this episode of The Tech Trek, host Amir Bormand speaks with Asish Soudhamma. Asish is the Vice President of Platform Engineering at PIMCO. He and Amir delve into the topics of Cloud Security and Developer Experience.
Show Notes
05:08 - Asish shares his outlook on developer experience.
07:53 - Here’s how leaders can effectively improve the developer experience.
10:50 - Can products clash with customer experience?
15:00 - Asish discusses how he effectively gathers customer feedback.
18:53 - How can you serve every developer in your team equally?
Guest:
Asish Soudhamma is an engineering leader passionate about building teams that develop secure cloud infrastructure and applications while optimizing the developer experience. He has a minimalist mindset. As Vice President of PIMCO's Platform Engineering group, Asish oversees Cloud Platform and Developer Experience and simplifies application security. Before this, he held engineering roles at several Fortune 100 financial companies.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asishrs/
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Host Amir Bormand speaks with Jack Kora in this episode of The Tech Trek. Jack is the Vice President of Engineering at dscout. He and Amir talk about the various ways organizations can drastically improve their software development process.
Highlights
3:00 - Jack recounts his early experience with dscout.
6:41 - How do you decide on a process when two or more different teams are working together?
9:14 - Look out for factors when deciding when it’s time to change a process.
13:45 - Best practices for implementing process changes.
16:50 - Do process changes always come with velocity hits? And are they worth it?
22:30 - Jack shares some of the big lessons he’s learned throughout his career.
Guest:
Jack Kora is currently the VP of Engineering at dscout. He is a business-focused technology executive with a focus on building high-performance teams and delivering customer-focused products and experiences. Jack is also an engineer with a passion for learning organizations, lean/agile/DevOps, and scalable distributed systems.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackkora/
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This episode of The Tech Trek explores the field of Information Security. Host Amir Bormand sits down with Rohit Parchuri, the Chief Information Security Officer of Yext, to discuss Rohit’s background, experiences, and insights concerning the world of Cyber Security.
Highlights
02:09 - Amir and Rohit briefly discuss the history of the CISO (Chief Information Security Officer) role.
06:23 - Rohit explains his strategies for building out Security Information teams.
10:14 - How do Security Architects fit into the Cloud Security pipeline?
14:12 - Rohit shares his insights on dealing with human issues versus technical issues.
21:52 - How to meet the needs of your team by anticipating potential challenges that may arise later.
Guest:
Rohit Parchuri is an accomplished Information Security executive with an established record building, structuring, and institutionalizing Cyber Security principles and disciplines in a variety of organizational domains. He is currently leading the Cybersecurity program at Yext, a bleeding-edge AI Search platform. In this role, Rohit is responsible for building and executing Cyber Security and Compliance program.
In addition to his day job at Yext, Rohit serves as a Board Advisor for a multitude of technology companies and educational institutions. As a part of these roles, he assumes the responsibility of advising on Cybersecurity matters, market penetration, and product strategy while educating and assisting in curriculum building for the Cybersecurity executive degree program/s at CSU, California.
Rohit graduated from Depaul University at Chicago with a Master's degree in Computer and Network Security Assurance, specializing in Application Security. He has also achieved a Master in Business Administration degree. Originally from India, Rohit is an avid hiker and tries his hand at tennis every chance he gets.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit-parchuri/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitparchuri
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Host Amir Bormand meets with Sunil Mallya in this episode of The Tech Trek. Sunil is the Vice President of Engineering at OncoHealth and he has many years of experience in the digital healthcare space. He and Amir discuss the unique challenges that engineering teams often face in digital healthcare.
Highlights:
03:44 - Sunil discusses some of the common challenges in the healthcare industry.
07:12 - Strategies for properly staffing a team when off-shore assistance isn’t available.
10:38 - Distinguishing and connecting with HIPAA-compliant vendors.
13:10 - How does build vs. buy affect relationships with third parties?
15:48 - What to look for when hiring new team members in digital healthcare.
17:49 - Dealing with unanticipated challenges in the digital healthcare space.
Guest: Sunil Mallya
A digital healthcare engineering leader with a passion for building great teams and delivering technical solutions loved by consumers. Creative problem solver with an eye for design and customer experience. Passionate about gaining a deep understanding of complex business problems and delivering simple technical solutions that drive business value. Focused on consistently improving organizational processes and building high-performance teams.
Currently building Iris - a 24x7 mobile first telehealth service focused on high-quality cancer mental-health care and physical symptom management
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ssmallya/
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Host Amir Bormand meets with Eric Labourdette, a seasoned Cloud Services Consultant in this episode of The Tech Trek. Amir and Eric dissect the Cloud Services industry and leverage Eric’s experience to paint a fuller picture of cloud computing trends.
Highlights:
01:15 - Eric shares his philosophy for improving Cloud efficiency.
03:23 - Which metrics can companies use to gauge how well they’re adopting Cloud strategy?
07:50 - How can you effectively transition from old processes to Cloud efficiency?
12:13 - How can Cloud technology help build and maintain 24/7 organizations?
17:01 - What’s the best way to measure customer satisfaction with an early team?
18:52 - Eric sheds light on his process for interviewing candidates around the world.
About Eric:
Eric Labourdette is a Cloud Business Operation consultant and former VP of Global Cloud Operations at Axway, helping customers to drive successful cloud transformation through SaaS operational efficiency.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericlabourdette/
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On this episode of The Tech Trek, host Amir Bormand meets with Kelsey Steinbeck, the Director of Software Engineering DevOps at Indigo. Amir and Kelsey delve into the subject of DevOps best practices and break down various ways that teams can stay agile when working on large and small projects.
Key Takeaways
04:24 - Kelsey shares her strategies for determining when and how she makes adjustments to her team’s processes.
09:07 - What to do when a process doesn’t suit the capabilities of your team?
13:32 - Kelsey breaks down the real impact velocity hits have on SDLC.
19:12 - How can companies account for changes to their processes as they shift through different phases of growth?
21:34 - How can people learn to set healthy boundaries as they move into management roles?
About Kelsey Steinbeck:
Kelsey started her career at Liberty Mutual doing DevOps tasks when DevOps wasn't really a thing. Kelsey drove DevOps processes and tooling while trying her hardest to help streamline and enhance legacy engineering practices including helping migrate from on-prem to the cloud. She really wanted to transition to a company with a mission and IndigoAg hit that mark. She’s from and currently lives in a farming community and working for a company that puts farmers front and center is really rewarding. Kelsey started with Indigo as the 3rd engineering hire, built out the DevOps organization, and has helped engineering scale to hundreds of engineers. She loves DevOps and the practices and culture it helps produce. Her Fiancee is a professional outdoorsman, which allows them to adventure doing a wide variety of outdoor activities.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelsey-steinbeck-449a6817/
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Host Amir Bormand meets with Vivek Menon in this episode of The Tech Trek. Vivek is the Head of Cybersecurity & Compliance at Digital Turbine who also boasts a strong background in Data. He and Amir explore Vivek’s unique experiences and discuss how more Data experts can impact Cybersecurity.
Highlights:
04:12 - Why aren’t there more Data experts in Cybersecurity?
11:12 - Will the CISO role drastically change in the foreseeable future?
17:02 - Vivek discusses this unique background, experiences, and goals in Data and Cybersecurity.
21:43 - What are some of the benefits of closely integrated Data teams and Security teams?
26:32 - Vivek sheds light on how his Data experience helps him with his current role.
About the guest:
Vivek Menon is currently with Digital Turbine where he is the Head of Cybersecurity & Compliance and has global responsibility for securing the firm's critical assets, ensuring regulatory compliance, and building a security-aware culture for the firm.
Vivek has 20+ years of corporate and consulting experience as a results-oriented technology leader in delivering cybersecurity and data solutions with a specialized focus on the financial services sector. Before Digital Turbine, he held leadership roles at JPMorgan Chase, Capital One and EY Consulting. He primarily focuses on ensuring that the company’s Information Security posture supports business growth objectives, protects public trust in the company’s brand, and meets regulatory requirements.
Vivek got his engineering degree from India and his MBA from the University of Texas at Austin. He holds CISSP and CISM certifications. He has been conducting guest lectures at UT and Emory university for the past 8 years and speaks regularly at conferences.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/menonv/
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On this episode of The Tech Trek, host Amir Bormand speaks with Tony Dong, the Senior Director of Engineering at Rippling. Tony is a major advocate for maintaining a startup mindset regardless of your team’s size. He and Amir also discuss strategies for effectively scaling a team.
Notes
04:29 - Tony explains why he prefers to maintain a startup mindset even as his teams grow.
09:03 - How can engineering leaders stay connected with their teams as companies start to scale?
12:41 - Tony shares his experiences dealing with changing team structures.
16:34 - Best practices for engineering leaders who are scaling their teams for the first time.
18:21 - What are the best ways to preserve quality and culture as a company grows?
About the guest:
Tony Dong is a Senior Director of Engineering at Rippling, leading Platform and Core HR Products. Prior to Rippling was the co-founder and CTO of a YC-backed startup.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonydong3/
https://twitter.com/TonyDong3
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In this episode of The Tech Trek, host Amir Bormand speaks with Amit Gulati, the Senior Vice President of Engineering at Angi. Amit reflects on his 20 years of experience as an engineering leader - sharing the ups, downs, ins, and outs of the various roles he’s taken on.
Highlights
00:02:51 - Amit discusses some of the changes that he encountered while he progressed as an engineering leader.
00:05:33 - How do you develop and refine your leadership skills when you’re promoted to a new position?
00:08:05 - What’s the best way to establish your priorities in a new role and prevent yourself from being spread too thin?
00:13:11 - Why it’s important to cultivate a supportive workplace culture where people feel comfortable asking for help.
00:16:24 - Learning when and how to ask for help.
00:21:24 - Amit shares how he’s built confidence and established trust with his teams as he advanced through his career.
00:26:00 - The benefits and importance of supporting your team as they fail and learn.
About the guest:
Amit Gulati is a seasoned engineering leader with over 20 years of experience delivering software and leading teams to create business value through the intelligent use of technology. He believes in empowering his teams to own not only the software they deliver but also the business outcomes they enable. In his current role as the SVP of Engineering at Angi, he oversees a team of approximately 300 engineers working to help people love where they live by connecting homeowners and service providers for all of your home maintenance and home improvement needs.
Prior to working at Angi, he spent the first half of his career working as a consultant where he delivered custom solutions for a diverse set of clients including ExxonMobile, NJDOT, Verizon, FRBNY, and Rolling Stone magazine. In the past decade, he transitioned into working on in-house product development across the FinTech, digital music, and now home services sectors.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amit-gulati-he-him-5a7b33/
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In this episode of The Tech Trek, our host Amir Bormand speaks with Lee Eason, the Director of Digital Branch Experience at Edward Jones. Amir and Lee share insights about working with distributed/remote teams, supporting new leaders, and prioritizing team health.
Highlights:
00:05:35 - Lee shares his experience with adapting to leading a distributed/mostly remote team.
00:12:55 - What’s the link between team health and team performance?
00:19:05 - Strategies to support new leaders taking on their roles for the first time.
00:21:39 - How can autonomy strengthen the confidence and effectiveness of a team?
About Lee Eason:
“Do you know much about computers?” After a moment of consideration, desperate for a job, Lee Eason replied, “I can do anything you need with computers.” As a just-graduated History Education major, he knew almost nothing about computers. But he made up for what he lacked in experience with determination and curiosity. That first job at a small furniture plant in Raleigh, NC, launched a 20+ year career that would take Lee through roles as an IT manager, software developer, architect, Agile and DevOps leader, entrepreneur, Chief Technology Officer, and now Director of Digital Branch Experience at Edward Jones. Those roles have spanned several industries including marketing, education, healthcare, and financial technology. His passion for learning and teaching has been central to his success as a leader and change agent. You can read more about Lee at https://eason.blog.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leejeason/
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In this episode of The Tech Trek, Amir Bormand speaks with Shruthi Murthy, the Executive Vice President of Engineering at Modern Treasury. Amir and Shruthi discuss the various phases of growth that companies like Modern Treasury and WhatsApp experience. They also discuss how businesses and entrepreneurs can choose the right growth strategies for their needs.
Highlights:
00:01:47 - Shruthi breaks down her role and responsibilities as the Head of Engineering at Modern Treasury.
00:04:53 - What were the phases of growth for Modern Treasury? How can an organization determine the right approach for itself?
00:09:25 - Shruthi discusses her time working at WhatsApp and how the company adapted to an incredibly uneven user-to-employee ratio.
00:13:46 - Can the same strategies that large companies use to be applied by smaller businesses and start-ups? If so, how?
00:23:04 - How can organizations make better decisions as they transition through different growth phases?
Guest:
Shruthi Murthy is EVP of Engineering for payments operations software provider Modern Treasury. Modern Treasury’s platform automates each step of the money-moving process, enabling companies to instantly close books with continuous accounting, manage payments via dashboard or API, and automatically reconcile cash across multiple bank accounts versus having to spend hours or days doing so with more legacy or even manual systems.
Before joining Modern Treasury, Shruthi was with messaging giant WhatsApp for eight years, where she served as Director of Engineering, leading the zero-to-one product and engineering teams.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shruthi-murthy-abb731/
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In this episode, Hadi Radwan, Co-founder at Asteya, talks about leadership and the core function of facilitation!
Key takeaways:
- Executing the strategy
- The leader should not be the bottleneck
- 2-way communication
- Wearing different hats when communicating
- Fail fast, learn fast
- Lines of communication: remove yourself from the centerpiece
- Thinking frameworks - how do you structure problems
- Dunning-Kruger effect
- Shape the culture
- You always don’t have the answer unless you have seen the situation before
About today’s guest:
Hadi Radwan is an industry-leading expert in insurance technology, product, and operations.
Hadi has conceptualized, designed, and developed Asteya’s state-of-the-art cloud-based insurance platform, leading Asteya from conceptualization to its launch and post-launch performance. Hadi holds an MBA from IE Business School and a BA in Accounting from the American University of Beirut. He also graduated from the Program for Leadership Development at Harvard Business School. In addition, he is an avid biohacker who is big on wellness.
Hadi is passionate about traveling, martial arts, and music in his free time. In addition, he is obsessed with productivity and likes to find solutions to problems simply and efficiently.
Hadi is a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) and a Certified Financial Consultant (CFC).
Hadi is also the host of the Podcast “The First 100”, a podcast about how successful entrepreneurs acquired the First 100 paying customers.
LinkedIn Hadi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hadiradwan/
Podcast: https://thefirst100.buzzsprout.com/
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In this episode, Ozan Bilgen, Co-founder and CEO at base64.ai, talks about technical debt and why you should avoid over-engineering!
Key takeaways:
- Tech debt is a conscious way of something things can wait
- Knowingly you under-engineer certain parts where you can afford to
- Focusing on the thing that does 99% of the job
- SW is short-lived anyways, so why over-engineer
- Scale and compliance are drivers for revisiting the architecture
- Tech debt is the delta between MVP and V1
- When to decide to through away your MVP and restart
- The tradeoffs between over or under engineer something - the tradeoffs
- To get sizing correct, it takes time (and over-analysis)
About today’s guest:
Ozan Eren Bilgen is the CEO of Base64.ai, the artificial intelligence solution that can process all types of documents worldwide. Ozan has BSc and MSc degrees in computer sciences. He previously worked as a software engineer and manager in top tech companies such as Microsoft, Netflix, PayPal, Uber, and Palantir. Some of his notable works include Netflix's credit card payments system, PayPal's online gateway, and Uber's vehicle leasing services. Ozan is a Turkish American who is also an airplane pilot and a scuba diver in his free time.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ozanerenbilgen/
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In this episode, Rob Phillips talks about making an impact through data transformation at a large public company.
Key takeaways:
- Becoming a more data-driven company
- Using data to predict what’s going to happen
- What does that mean to the company?
- How far down the maturity path do you look to build your roadmap
- Benefits of moving quickly to prove your MVP
- Focus on testing out new capabilities
- Give the team a problem to solve and allow them to figure out how
- How do you compete and attract the type of talent you need
- Innovation garage and teams share
About today’s guest: see below ⬇️
Rob Phillips was the Director of Technology at CarMax. He was responsible for creating their Master Data Management, Data Science, and Machine Learning technologies, enabling CarMax to continue to be the leader in both in-person and digital car buying experiences. Before CarMax, he was responsible for all applications and data at a healthcare company in Atlanta. Rob is currently the Vice President of Software Engineering at UDig in Richmond, Virginia. When not at work, Rob would prefer to spend his time with his family sailing the Chesapeake Bay. He holds a B.S. in IT Management from the University of Richmond and studied Computer Science at Virginia Tech.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rophilli/
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In this episode, Shweta Saraf, Head Of Engineering, Edge Infrastructure Services Engineering at Equinix, talks about how she handles hiring for a niche skill set and things you can do to help find the right talent.
Key takeaways:
- Focus on optimizing the talent pipeline
- Removing the requirements friction
- Have existing staff find opportunities to grow skill sets
- Training from within
- What happens when you can't check the boxes
- Everything is now engineering
About today’s guest: see below ⬇️
Shweta Saraf is the Head of Engineering for Edge Infrastructure Services at Equinix. She leads the teams responsible for two of the highest-growing digital products - Equinix Metal and Network Edge. Shweta was recognized on Silicon Valley Business Journal's 40 under 40 list for 2022. She actively mentors tech leaders to give back to the community. She has previously held leadership positions at Packet, DigitalOcean, and Cisco.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shwetasaraf/
Twitter: @shwetahari
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In this episode, Mark Isham, VP of Engineering at FullStory, talks about how he handles planning across the engineering organization.
Key takeaways:
- Identifying the top 2-3 priorities
- Tips for effective planning.
- Building a product security team.
- Dealing with different personalities/styles
- Flexibility is important in teams.
- Running effective one-on-ones
About today’s guest:
Mark Isham has led engineering teams for over 25 years, focusing primarily on hyper-growth Enterprise startups in e-commerce, web performance, and digital analytics. Mark is VP of Engineering at FullStory, where he leads up the Channels Engineering group responsible for its developer API and massive data ingestion platform.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mtisham/
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In this episode, Dan Kador, VP of Engineering at Clockwise, walks us through how and where engineering teams spend (and "waste") their time!
- Meetings and coordination “tax”
- “Focus time”
- What activities do companies spend the most time on?
- Learn to implement no-meeting days
- Ways to run a team effectively
- Productive one-on-one meeting structure
- Pros & cons of asynchronous stand-up meetings
- Different kinds of one-on-one meetings
About today’s guest:
Dan Kador currently runs the engineering teams at Clockwise. Clockwise optimizes your team’s calendars to create more time in everyone’s day. Before that, Dan helped run engineering @ Handshake to change college recruiting and get more economic opportunities for all students.
Earlier in his career, he helped run the teams @ Lyft that worked to make things even more real-time for its passengers and drivers and founded and served as CTO at Keen IO.
Link to report: https://www.getclockwise.com/eng-meeting-benchmarks
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In this episode, Zeeshan Khadim, Head of Security at Panther Labs, discusses how to improve security adoption by building security into an engineer's workflow.
Key Takeaways:
- Security and privacy are part of the core product, not an overhead
- Security implications from the design phase
- Empower users to start with security in mind
- Make sure you triage before involving other teams
- Understand what the “Crown Jewels” are to put things in perspective
- Treat the root cause and not the symptom
- Instead of alerting in production, leverage the tools to warn for issues sooner
- When it comes to tooling, ask what capabilities the team is missing
- Moving away from plug and play
- Managing your resources
- Pushing work left is too easy…don’t
- About today’s guest:
Zeeshan Khadim is the Head of Security at Panther Labs. With over 13 years of professional experience, Zeeshan has worked with global companies, including his last roles as the Security Engineering Manager at Facebook HQ and Senior Security Engineer at Google HQ. Zeeshan did his Bachelor's in Computer Systems from GIKI, Pakistan, and Masters in Computers & Information Sciences from the University of Delaware.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zeeshanalikhadim/
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In this episode, Selim Onal, the Director of Engineering at Ladder Life, talks about managing in a fast-growing environment.
- Challenges involved in managing rapid growth.
- Being intentional in the people systems you implement.
- The power of “putting people first”
- Balancing a people-first culture with delivery.
- People systems should support career growth
- Benefits of hiring non-traditional people
- How do internships prepare you for your career?
About today’s guest: see below ⬇️
Selim Onal was born in Istanbul, Turkey. He graduated from Sabancı University with a major in Computer Science and Engineering in 2008. He then moved to the US to do a Ph.D. in Computational Biology at Brown University, but left his Ph.D. and joined Oracle in June 2010. After working at Oracle for one year, he worked at Google Search from June 2011 to January 2016 and at Palantir from January 2016 to June 2017. He joined Quip, Salesforce in July 2017 and worked at Quip until May 2022. He joined Ladder Life Insurance as a director of engineering in May 2022.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/selimonal/
https://www.facebook.com/selimonal
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In this episode, Claude Jones, an engineering leader, talks about how to build a high-performing team. At the time of this recording, Claude was the SVP of Engineering at Strava.
Key takeaways:
- How to ramp up as a new leader?
- Tips for planning smooth transitions.
- Learn how to scale engineering teams.
- Steps to build a high-performance culture
- What is envisioned as engineering excellence?
- Strategy to measure the progress of your team
- Ways to evaluate team performance.
- 3 tips to becoming a great team leader.
- What should be the end goal of a leader?
About today’s guest:
Claude Jones is a seasoned technical leader with over 20 years of experience. He has a passion for creating opportunities to help others succeed. And for over a decade, his life’s mission has been to encourage, inspire, and motivate others through his words and actions.
In his spare time, Claude runs the Elevate Foundation (http://elevate.foundation), an organization he started focused on giving back to the community by helping others in need.
The Practical Leadership Guy (http://thepracticalleadershipguy.com) offers services for motivational speaking, life coaching, and his leadership thoughts on common sense leadership techniques through his blog, encouraging others to be the best they can be.
He is also the CEO of San Diego Tech Hub (http://sandiegotechhub.com), an organization focused on connecting businesses, organizations, and individuals, leveraging their resources, passions, and talents to build a stronger San Diego tech community through collaboration.
Recently, Claude created a series of children’s picture books to foster the development of leadership skills in children ages 5-8, helping them cultivate a mindset of equity and inclusion. More information on the series can be found at https://astrothemonster.com
Contact:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudejones/
practicalleadershipguy.com
___
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Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.com
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Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
In this episode, Mike Bennett, Head of Data Governance at Bayer Crop Science, discusses starting and growing a data governance strategy.
Key takeaways:
- Access and control
- Touches on security and compliance
- Compliance is just one aspect of governance
- Treat data as a physical product
- Start with a minimal process, then evolve and mature it
- Embracing data privacy as it’s not going away
- Build an adaptive model
About today’s guest:
Mike Bennett
Head of Data Governance, Bayer Crop Science
An accomplished leader with extensive experience across multiple technical disciplines, biotechnology, and digital agriculture. Proven ability to define vision and strategy through implementation, spanning various business models from Silicon Valley start-ups to Global-500, multidivisional corporations. Bayer Science and Technology Fellow recognized for contributions to digital agriculture and early gene sequencing technologies.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelsbennett
___
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and we would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.
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Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
In this episode, Omar Turner, Managing Director of Cloud Security at Microsoft, discusses data privacy and protection.
Key takeaways:
- Data protection and privacy
- Evaluating smaller vs. big companies
- Stakeholder buy-in
- Data protection/privacy divergence from security
- Classifying data
- Privacy defines who has access
- Being aware of the data you have
- Understanding data sovereignty
About today’s guest: Omar A. Turner is a Managing Director of Cloud Security for Microsoft. He brings over 25 years of experience supporting, deploying, architecting, and securing solutions for startups and globally recognized organizations. He holds numerous certifications, including the CISSP, CCSP, CRISC, CISA, CDPSE, and CISM, and holds B.S. degrees in Mathematics and Computer Science. Omar is passionate about cybersecurity enablement and training and career mentoring for those looking to start their journey in the fantastic and important field of cloud security.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/omarturner/
___
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Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
In this podcast, Eddie Flaisler, Head of Products Engineering at Lob, talks about managerial strategies for frontline managers.
- What frontline managers do
- Making sure the team is delivering high business value
- Conveying the problem statement, not the strategy
- Balancing constraints and business priorities
- Delegation Strategies for Leaders and Managers
- Importance of asking the right questions
- A key to delegation is people that can resolve dependencies and break down tasks
About today’s guest: Eddie Flaisler heads Products Engineering at Lob - A YC-backed API company. Lob revolutionizes direct mail by introducing intelligence and sustainability to one of the traditional industries. Eddie has had a longstanding diverse career in engineering. He served as Box's head of Enterprise Engineering, was a leader in Security and Compliance Engineering at Uber, spearheaded the development of Video Network Management and Transcoding products at Harmonic, and even dabbled in money transfers to federal prison facilities. Eddie led teams in Israel, the US, India, Japan, Mexico, Poland, and Ukraine. He is an avid cook and a new paw-rent to a 4-month-old pug.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eddie-flaisler-660a9039/
___
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Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
In this episode, Kevin Dotzenrod, VP of Engineering at Total Expert, talks about the mental health of your team’s individual contributors.
- Dealing with Impostor syndrome.
- Being as fearless as possible when you are starting off
- How do you manage your first-time manager
- Balancing of Empathy and Accountability
- Managing managers on their responsibilities
- Helping people flourish in a new environment
- What triggers imposter syndrome?
- Adjusting different learning styles
- How to develop a culture of meritocracy
About today’s guest: Kevin brings over 20 years of software development, technical architecture, and engineering expertise to Total Expert. He has led engineering and technology teams at some of the most recognized companies in finance and retail, including Target, Amazon, and Dow Jones, most recently serving as Director of Engineering at Target. There, he led a series of strategic initiatives in supply chain and store technology.
In his new role as VP of Engineering, Kevin will lead the Total Expert engineering team as it scales product architecture to a high-throughput enterprise system. By focusing on process development and long-term architecture management, Kevin will support the rapid growth of the Total Expert platform and the team surrounding it.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-dotzenrod-7931a41/
___
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and we would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.
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Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
In this episode, Balaji Prabhakar, co-founder of Clockwork and Professor of Computer Science at Stanford, discusses congestion problems in data centers and real-life congestion issues.
- Challenges when dealing with network congestion within cloud infrastructures.
- What does it mean to build out a system of accurate clocks?
- Understanding the package switching networking and distributor systems.
- Creating fair transactions (first come, first serve)
- Uses cases for highly accurate clocks
- How do to evaluate and solve congestion problems?
About today’s guest: Balaji Prabhakar is VMWare Founders Professor of Computer Science and a faculty member in the Departments of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and, by courtesy, in the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University. His research interests are computer networks, notably in Data Center Networks and Cloud Computing Platforms. His work spans network algorithms, congestion control protocols, and stochastic network theory. He has also worked on Societal Networks, where he has developed "nudge engines" to incentivize commuters to travel in off-peak times so that congestion, fuel, and pollution costs are reduced.
Balaji has been a Terman Fellow at Stanford University and a Fellow of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, IEEE, and ACM. He has received the NSF CAREER Award, the Erlang Prize from the INFORMS Applied Probability Society, the Rollo Davidson Prize was given to young Statisticians and Probabilists, and he delivered the Lunteren Lectures of the Dutch Operations Research Society. He is the inaugural recipient of the IEEE Innovation in Societal Infrastructure Award, which recognizes "significant technological achievements and contributions to the establishment, development, and proliferation of innovative societal infrastructure systems." He has received the IEEE Koji Kobayashi Award for his work on Computer Networks and the ACM Sigmetrics Award for his work on Stochastic Network Theory. He is a co-recipient of a few best paper and test of time awards In 2011, he co-founded Urban Engines (acquired by Google in 2016) and is currently on leave at Clockwork.io where he is co-founder and CEO.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/balaji-prabhakar-45426bb7/
___
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and we would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.
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Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
In this episode, Karim Fanous, VP Engineering @ strongDM, talks about the impacts on an engineering team's productivity.
Key Takeaways:
- Impacts on productivity for the team
- Context switching between interviewing and development
- Importance of Having a repeatable and objective process
- Challenges in onbarding process for newly hired engineers.
- Understanding the people retention process.
___About today’s guest: Karim Fanous
https://www.linkedin.com/in/karimfan/
Link to article: https://karimfanous.substack.com/p/scaling-an-engineering-team-will
Karim is the VP of Engineering at strongDM. Before that, he was in similar roles at startups like Qumulo and Dremio. Karim also spent 10 years at Microsoft.
___
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and we would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.
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Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
In this episode, Beth Scheer, Talent Partner at Homebrew, talks about the drivers for hiring a coach and what to look out for while going through the process.
Key Takeaways:
- Why would a founder should look for a coach?
- Big commitment to hiring a coach
- Make sure you do a reference check with people the coach has worked with the right questions are a must.
- A good coach for someone else might not be the right coach for you
- How to interview a coach
- Costs of hiring a coach
- Red Flags to look for when hiring a coach
About today’s guest:
At Homebrew, Beth Scheer works closely with founders and their executive team members as an advisor on all things Talent-related, including recruiting, diversity & inclusion, compensation, onboarding, and people operations. Before Homebrew, Beth spent 5+ years at Salesforce leading executive search, sales leadership search and the sales growth/professional services recruiting teams. Before that, she built the Google AdSense team in 2003 and then spent 6 years hiring for business operations, corporate communications, and various engineering teams. She is a proud graduate of The Colorado College with a BS in Psychology.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethscheer/
beth@homebrew.co
___
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and we would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.
Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.com
Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?
Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
In this episode, Jeremy Eastwood, the Head of Engineering at DroneDeploy, talks about velocity and adding processes as your team grows.
Key Takeaways:
- Metric to measure velocity
- Reconciling struggles
- Experimenting while using guardrails
- Devote an engineer to reliability during each sprint
- Making sure there is an expected result when experimenting
- When to sit back and let the team execute
- Definition of done and compliance
- Seeing the whole field and providing feedback to your managers
About today’s guest: Jeremy Eastwood is the Head of Engineering at DroneDeploy. Jeremy oversees the talented engineering org at DroneDeploy and aspects of its core product offering, including mobile applications, cloud platform and infrastructure, computer vision engine, and 3rd party ecosystem. He was one of the first hires at DroneDeploy and has been a part of the growth from a seed-stage startup to the market leader in digital reality capture, with over 250 employees and offices worldwide.
Before DroneDeploy, Jeremy worked in research on the design of jet engines and holds a Ph.D. in aerodynamics from the University of Cambridge. Outside work, he enjoys hiking around the Bay Area with his family.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-eastwood/
___
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and we would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.
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Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
In this episode, Che Sharma, Founder & CEO of Eppo, talks about the relationship between data and engineering teams and how both teams can originate impactful experiments.
Key takeaways:
- Data teams are trying to improve decision quality across the org
- How do data quality metrics affect the engineering team?
- Importance of experiments and feedback loops
- Experimentation maturity curve
- Engineering can be a source of experimentation
- Leadership needs to provide clear metrics to help prioritize
- Moving requirements from sales-driven to product-driven
About today’s guest:
Che Sharma is the Founder & CEO of Eppo, a next-gen AB experimentation platform designed to spur entrepreneurial culture. As the 4th data scientist at Airbnb and early data scientist at companies like Webflow, Che has been focused on the maturity curve of growth-stage companies and how data can drive ROI. Che previously led the team that developed Airbnb's knowledge repo and has led data teams focused on production machine learning and instrumentation integrity.
Twitter: @chesharma87
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/chetanvsharma/
___
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and we would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.
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Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
In this episode, Ty Sbano, an Information Security executive with over 17 years of experience heavily focused on empowering end users securely, talks about “Empathy-Driven Process Development.” He speaks about driving change and how we are changed by empathy.
Key takeaways:
- What is empathy-driven process development
- Taking yourself out of the equation when changing processes
- How fast do you want to drive change
- Understand the impact of change on people
- The larger the scale of the impact, the more time you might need
- Understanding your change curve and having your champions
- Avoiding thrash by making only a finite number of touches to your process
- Intentional process development
- Thinking about the process, so your successor is set up for success
About today’s guest:
Ty Sbano is an Information Security executive with over 17 years of experience heavily focused on empowering end users securely. Ty currently serves as Vercel’s Chief Information Security Officer (CISO).
Previously, Ty was the Chief Security & Trust Officer at Sisense. Ty’s career has been focused on developing application and product security programs for Capital One, JPMorgan Chase, LendingClub, and Target. Key areas of knowledge include developing security champions, threat modeling, secure code training, static code analysis, component analysis, dynamic analysis, penetration testing, and red teaming. Outside of being a CISO, Ty is an active angel investor in Silicon Valley CISO Investment Groups (SVCI) and advisor to Cider Security, Nightfall.ai, and Identify Security.
Ty’s security mentality has been concentrated on enabling engineering and product teams to move securely at the speed of the business to make it a competitive advantage. Ty graduated from Penn State University with a B.S. in Information Science & Technology and from Norwich University with a M.S. in Information Assurance. He currently holds a CISSP, CEH, CCSK, and CPT.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tysbano/
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and we would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.
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Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
In technology, scaling your team is not an easy thing to do! In this episode, Doron Segal, the Co-Founder & CTO at Per Diem, talks about his insights regarding hiring & retention.
Key Takeaways:
- Improving your hiring and retention process.
- Recruiting pitfalls and how to avoid them.
- Hiring junior vs. senior-level employees
- Going after different talent as you scale
- Hiring the right person at the right time
- How employee feedback loops increase employee retention
About today’s guest:
Doron Segal: Co-Founder & CTO at Per Diem (YCW21)
A seasoned, hands-on, technical leader with a track record of building teams and products. He focuses on building organizations and enabling them to get things done. His leadership mantra is Leadership is not wielding authority; it's empowering others. I lead by listening and example.
He served in the Israeli Army as Platoon Commander for four years in a technology combat unit.
He led a platform team at Beats Music (later Apple); was an Engineering manager at OpenTable, and was Director of platform engineering at Saildrone. Currently, Doron is the CTO & co-founder of TryPerDiem, a YC-backed startup.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doronsegal
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and we would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.
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Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
On the show, I speak to Yanyan Wu, the Vice President of Data and Analytics at Verisk. Yanyan shares her strategies, from structuring to scaling an analytics team.
Key Takeaways:
- Challenges in building and scaling an analytics team.
- Dealing with the technology gap
- Getting the right people on your team,
- Roles and responsibilities of a team leader
- Learning metrics that matter to your members.
- Challenges in finding someone technically strong and a great analyst.
- Ways to Identify the future leader in your team and traits that must-haves.
About today’s guest:
As a vice president and data analytics expert, Yanyan Wu develops innovative data analytics strategies and transformed data platforms for big data used in the oil&gas industry. She layout the multi-year product development roadmap and execution to deliver the data and data insights to internal and external clients to enable them to make smart investment decisions/recommendations.
Yanyan’s 15-year career in product management and digital technologies spans the head of data analytics in Halliburton digital solution, Principal digital production manager at GE Digital and Senior production manager at GE Oil&Gas from transforming digital technologies to new product development and its commercialization in financial service and energy businesses. She led the team to help businesses to increase productivity by more than
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wuyanyan/
___
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and we would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.
Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.com
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Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
In this episode, Ishmael Samuel, the co-founder and CTO at Paragon, discusses how to effectively onboard new hires. He goes over what should be included in onboarding and thinking about the team's velocity when making a new hire.
Key Takeaways:
- Walk through the onboarding process
- A holistic view of products as a customer
- Importance of filing issues
- Opinionated frameworks and tools
- Integrations as a core value prop
- Understanding a new hire's biggest blocker is key
- Why is it important to ask team members for feedback?
- Building a real relationship with your team members.
- Sprint planning
About today’s guest:
Ishmael Samuel is CTO and co-founder of Paragon, an embedded integration platform that allows SaaS companies to connect their product to their customers’ data and expedite their integration roadmap. Before Paragon, Ishmael founded CTRL LA, a software development agency that built web and mobile apps for companies, including Universal Studios and Uber. Alongside building Paragon, Ishmael advises technical teams and angel invests in startups.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ishmaelsamuel
___
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and we would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.
Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.com
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Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
In this episode, I have on Nate Lee, the Chief Information Security Officer at Tradeshift, a B2B SaaS platform specializing in digitizing supply chain financing. He talks about how to grow and establish a security program.
Key takeaways:
- Preparing a security plan for your business.
- Avoid process for the sake of process
- Security program priorities
- Tools that you can use to help - SQL injections, static code analysis, vulnerability management
- When do you make your first security hire
- What you need to look for when hiring your security personnel.
- How to introduce a security person into your program.
- Benefits and value of having a “security champion”
- Dealing with security later will just cost more down the road
About today’s guest:
Nate Lee is currently Chief Information Security Officer at Tradeshift, a B2B SaaS platform specializing in digitizing supply chain financing. With over 25 years in the tech industry, Nate has a wide variety of experience in engineering and management roles at startups, as a consultant, and in the Fortune 50. Nate led at various points platform operations, site reliability engineering, and IT. Subsequently, he started the security program at Tradeshift, building the security team from the ground up with a heavy focus on automation and driving business value through partnerships across internal business units.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nate-lee-2179302/
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and we would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.
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Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
On this episode, Luis Bruder, the Director of Data Science, Machine Learning, and Advanced Analytics at Foot Locker, talks about managing experiments and how these experiments drive decisions.
Key Takeaways:
- Definition and Classification of experiments
- Moving from experiments to project evaluation
- Who owns the experiment
- Metric evaluation
- Experimentation to Production Life Cycle
- Aligning your team with new experiment opportunities.
- Balancing project and maintenance work
About today’s guest:
Luis Bruder brings over 11 years of experience in Data Science and Analytics, with his most recent work in the marketing and retail industries. His background is in computer engineering, and he holds a master's in business administration. He is passionate about leveraging data science, AI, and Machine Learning to create impactful products and results. He lives in Washington, DC.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lbruder/
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and if you enjoyed this episode, please take a minute and leave a quick rating and review on the Apple podcast app!
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Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
Kanat Bektemirov, the CTO at Supplypike, let’s talk about his involvement in sales during the early days and leveraging his engineering expertise to define the sales process.
- Getting to the first million dollars of revenue
- Personalize beyond the basics and automate it
- Reaching out to other experienced founders to get help.
- The idea of doing Personalized landing pages
- Playing the pre-sales roles
- Context switching - managing sales and engineering
- Aligning the Sales, Product, and engineering teams.
- Hiring a Sales SVP and taking a step back from the process
About today’s guest:
Kanat Bektemirov is the CTO of SupplyPike, a 120-person tech company on a mission to make the supply chain easier to navigate for CPGs and retailers.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bektemirov/
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and we would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.
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Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
Jesus Martinez, Senior Engineering Manager of Machine Learning at Planet, walks us through how the ML product was built at Planet. He also talks about balancing R&D and Delivery Teams in the ML space.
- Challenges in building machine learning products.
- R&D techniques, processes, and challenges.
- Skill set needed from a software engineer.
- New Territories. New People (the hiring process)
- The vision of “Help Life on Earth Using Space”
- R&D spending and monetization
- Balancing Research Development and Delivery
- Importance of communication within the company.
About today’s guest:
Jesus is originally from Sevilla, Spain. He studied physics and then moved to the US to become an astronomer. His research focused on analyzing infrared images from deep space to measure the clustering pattern of galaxies and infer how much dark matter exists around them. After his Ph.D., he moved to San Francisco and transitioned to a career in data science. Today, he leads the applied ML team at Planet, which is a leading company in the Earth-observation space. His team builds core machine vision feeds that transform global streams of images into maps, alerts, and insights.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmartinezmanso/
___
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Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?
Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
On this episode of the Tech Trek, we have Ty Lunsford, Senior Manager at Instacart. Ty discusses the process of maturing analytics org. He provides a first-hand account of how they split their function into two parts ( analytics & business intelligence ) and then reorganize them based on what’s needed for delivery.
Key Takeaways:
- When the intake process isn’t understood by those both internally and externally, it may be time to restructure the team.
- Jira or Trello can help improve the intake process.
- It is important to make sure processes are understood not only internally but also by external stakeholders.
- Creating a vision or mission statement can help address accountability and ownership issues.
- Striking the right balance of ownership and avoiding silos is key.
- Envisioning the team in Venn diagrams can be helpful!
- Even after taking all these steps, it may still be necessary to deliver results.
About today’s guest:
As Senior Manager of Analytics Engineering and Data Product Management at Instacart, Ty Lunsford has been responsible for balancing business needs with technical solutions development. As a result, he's proven to be an effective provider who can deliver services efficiently across different functions within the company. His sales/marketing and business knowledge allow him to deliver effective solutions efficiently.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylunsford/
___
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and we would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.
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Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?
Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
In this episode, we talk with Dean Sapp, the Vice President of Information Security, Risk, and Compliance, from Filevine. He discusses prevention tactics for ransomware and other cyber threats that businesses need to be aware of, as well as preparation techniques to prepare themselves against these types of events if they happen at some point
Key Takeaways:
- Importance of having a cyber breach policy in place.
- Educate your people about the human element in cybersecurity and how to stay protected.
- When a breach does occur, make sure you have a plan in place and know who to contact for help.
- The cost of prevention is less than the response, so it's important to be proactive about security threats.
- Breached Double Impact
About today’s guest: Dean is the Vice President of Information Security, Risk and Compliance for Filevine, the Operating Core for Legal, providing case, matter, investigation, and project management software for thousands of attorneys, law firms, and businesses across the globe.
Dean is also a security researcher, author, public speaker, and practitioner with two decades of experience implementing cost-effective and robust cybersecurity programs for clients. He has given dozens of presentations at the Utah State Bar, ABA, LegalSEC, ILTACon, Inns of Court, UAJ, Public Defenders & Trial Lawyer events, Infragard, ISACA, UtahSec, IR 18, SaintCon, and many other security and privacy conferences.
Dean is a security nerd at heart, but in his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and six awesome kids, weight training, competing in Spartan races, and other ridiculously crazy and challenging things.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deansapp/
___
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and we would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.
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Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?
Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
Whether you are a startup, a small, or a large company, you can have different models in your organization. On today’s episode, we have our special guest, Oliver Bandte, the VP of Data & Analytics at Wellframe, to tackle what are the different organizational models and find out when you should reevaluate your org structure.
In this episode, we cover the following:
- Different data org models and structures
- Pulling apart the team's capabilities to help them best excel
- Tips to create strategic guidance for your org team.
- When do you re-evaluate the team's structure
- Ways to build collaborative teams
- Having strong managers to support each team allows you to separate functions
- Impact on hiring
- Know your own weaknesses
- Benefits of having a ring fence model.
About today’s guest:
Data & Analytics Executive with over 2 decades of experience in data science and analytics. Currently, Oliver is the VP of Data & Analytics at Wellframe, a digital care management company offering care management programs delivered through a digital platform. He runs Wellframe's Data Engineering, Analytics Engineering, Data Science, and Business Intelligence teams. Oliver is also a part-time lecturer at Boston University, teaching a Business Analytics class on Competing with Analytics and a Capstone Project. He spent 7.5 years building and running analytics capability for the Boston Consulting Group, ran his own company prior, and started his career as a data scientist with a niche analytics consulting firm building advanced optimization and agent-based models. Oliver received a Master and Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from Georgie Tech.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliverbandte/
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Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and if you enjoyed this episode, please take a minute and leave a quick rating and review on the Apple podcast app!
Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.com
Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?
Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
On the show, I have on with me Bren Briggs, the VP of DevSecOps at Hypergiant. Bren talks about some of the realities of moving into a role in management, what happens if you decide to move back into an IC role, and managing with empathy.
In this episode, we cover:
- Moving into a management role
- Management skills should be equal to expertise.
- Indicator when to step down from management role.
- Having the most successful leaders and successful hierarchical structures.
- Having a culture of leadership that values feedback is a must.
- Psychological safety is essential.
- How does the org handle an employee that moves back into an IC role
- Manager empathy
- Management is a duty you perform
- Having someone run a tiger team
About today’s guest:
Bren is a hacker of things, smoker of meats, father of a brood of loud and often unruly children, and husband to his high-school sweetheart. When he's not playing music or working on a project, you can find him building, securing, and attacking cloud-native systems for Hypergiant.
https://twitter.com/0xfraq
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brenbriggs/
________
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and if you enjoyed this episode, please take a minute and leave a quick rating and review on the Apple podcast app!
Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.com
Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?
Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
Today Yash Desai is on the show, the Head of B2B Machine Learning @ Wayfair. He’ll be diving into how he manages a team that stretches across multiple business units.
In this episode, we cover:
- Ways to manage a team that stretches across multiple business units
- Organizing a team into sub-teams or pods
- Business leaders will often expect you to know about the business.
- Importance of blocking times
- Importance of relationship for your business
- Creating a strategy-based team roadmap
- Using data to influence stakeholders
- Having a simple alternative solutions
- Understanding your roadmap timelines.
- Having a mindset shift is really important.
- Transition from consulting to production.
- Tips for building a cohesive team culture.
About today’s guest:
Yash Desai is a seasoned Machine Learning (ML) leader driving business impact and innovation at top organizations globally. Armed with a Bachelors & Masters in Electrical Engineering and Applied Statistics from IIT Bombay, his ML journey began when it was just an esoteric buzzword. He joined McKinsey right after school and served clients for AI transformation across Asia, Europe, and North America in Energy, Finance, and Healthcare sectors. Post consulting, he took up leadership roles at healthcare giant CVS Health and the home goods e-commerce leader Wayfair. He passionately engages in the ML community by mentoring budding data scientists from under-represented backgrounds and participates in conference panels. Outside work, Yash loves exploring beer gardens, playing cricket, and binge-watching Marvel movies.
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/yashjdesai18
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whydesai
________
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and if you enjoyed this episode, please take a minute and leave a quick rating and review on the Apple podcast app!
Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.com
Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?
Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
Nurturing engineering talent is an art, not science.
My guest, Rajeev Nanda, the Director of Engineering Operations at Unlearn.ai. dives in to talk about career growth and exploration. He will share what he has learned in his managing career, including his tips and tricks.
In this episode, we cover:
- The concept of nurturing talent — career growth & talent growth.
- Importance of having a mentor in your organization.
- How to lead a technical organization: Manager responsibilities
- Technical versus Organizational growth path, what you need to know.
- Lesson Learned: Skills you need to manage people or technical teams effectively.
- Soft skills are much more difficult to master than hard skills.
- The Importance of communication between managers and their team members.
- Understanding your team's motivations is core and key to helping them grow.
- Dealing with a misalignment of employee aspirations and skills
- Building trust is a cornerstone of nurturing talent
- A Good Manager is Like a Gardener
About today’s guest:
More than three decades of hi-tech industry experience split between consulting, startups, and captive IT. Rajeev has successfully delivered software applications and solutions across multiple domains and platforms in leadership and management roles. He has managed and actively contributed to projects with business values ranging from $0.5M - $20M+. Built and managed cross-functional and cross-geo organizations sized 5 – 350+ with a motivated workforce and minimal attrition.
Rajeev has worked with CIOs and staff on strategic programs for technology and business transformations. He is a published author of books and articles on technology, strategy, management, and leadership in topics including AI, IoT, Cloud Computing, and innovation. His most recent book is RISE: Essential soft-skills for career management, which was released in Oct 2019.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajeevnanda/
https://rnanda.com/
________
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and if you enjoyed this episode, please take a minute and leave a quick rating and review on the Apple podcast app!
Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.com
Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?
Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
In today’s show, we have our guest, Quentin Hartman, VP of Infrastructure and DevOps Engineering, at Velocity Global, LLC. We cover a lot of DevOps ground...
In this episode, we cover:
- What historically has been called the DevOps team.
- Balancing the DevOps engineers team and the value of splitting them.
- DevOps team structure
- Differences between tooling and operations
- DevOps pillars
- What’s next with Quentin's team
- “Automation shelf life"
- DevOps career advice
Connect with Quentin Hartman at:
https://mastodon.social/@qhartman
https://twitter.com/qhartman
https://www.linkedin.com/in/qhartman
About today’s guest:
Quentin has been living and breathing DevOps since before it had a name. He loves the tech, but he loves seeing how DevOps practices make software and the lives of people who build it better. Throughout his nearly 25-year career in technology, Quentin has worked in public education, higher education, non-profits, and private businesses from 3 to 300,000 employees. In those roles, he has managed telecom systems, data centers, and public and private clouds and acted as a sysadmin, a DBA, a network engineer, an incident responder, and a leader. That broad experience has given him an especially strong foundation for DevOps, which has been his primary focus since 2012. Wherever Quentin is, he puts people before tech and is only happy when working on a social-impact mission using Open Source tools. Quentin lives near Denver, Colorado, with his family and can often be found building things, cooking, and wandering in the woods. He can be reached as ‘qhartman’ on many platforms, including Mastodon.social, Twitter, and LinkedIn
________
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and if you enjoyed this episode, please take a minute and leave a quick rating and review on the Apple podcast app!
Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.com
Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?
Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
Our guest is Terry O'Daniel, the Director of Security Governance, Risk, and Compliance at Instacart. Terry talks about building high-performing engineering-focused GRC functions.
Key Takeaways:
- Unnecessary overhead on the engineering team
- Importance of focusing on operational hygiene and security risks.
- Risk as the common language between security and compliance.
- Dealing with risk and your engineering team
- Is shifting left, really the goal?
- Terry’s success formula, REVEALED!
- Importance of having deep conversations with your engineering functions.
- The value of shifting left
- Working with your developer towards better behavior.
- Security and compliance checkbox must-haves
- Importance of knowing your risk and having implemented controls.
- Tips to create a good engineering cultural shift.
- How to do less and empower your team
- The ultimate job is to be the second line of defense.
- Security is all about context
About Terry O'Daniel - https://www.linkedin.com/in/terryodaniel
Terry O’Daniel leads Security Governance, Risk, and Compliance at Instacart. His specialty is building lean teams focused on applying technology to solve security engineering & GRC challenges at scale via automation and instrumentation--rather than compliance-by-spreadsheet. Before Instacart, Terry built the functions for Security Assurance at Netflix, Security & Technology Risk & Compliance at Salesforce, and GRC within Production Engineering at Yahoo! He also worked in consulting to build security strategy, vCISO, and cyber risk quantification offerings for companies in highly regulated industries. In his spare time, Terry enjoys music, fencing, martial arts, and gaming with his kids.
________
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek and if you enjoyed this episode, please take a minute and leave a quick rating and review on the Apple podcast app!
Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.com
Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?
Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
In this episode, Grant Reveal, the Director of Identity and Access Management at Micron Technology, talks about how we can demonstrate the business value of Identity and Access Management and how we get away from being viewed as the department of “NO” to “more SECURE”.
Key Takeaways:
- From the department of “no” to “more secure”
- Three components of IAM (People, Process, and Technology)
- Why does the story matter?
- Why Is Information Security important?
- Time component in learning IAM is a must.
- The day-1 Process is building relationships and making people secure.
- Identity and Access Management vs Traction
- The Automation of training and hiring time.
- How does the SDLC process help customers' needs?
- Having a defined roadmap for a team is very helpful.
- When leaders share their stories, they also build credibility.
- Compliance with IAM policies and procedures
- Strong procurement and audit systems
- Importance of building relationships and awareness in the organization.
About today’s guest:
Connect to Grant at: www.linkedin.com/in/grantreveal
Grant is an experienced leader with breadth and depth throughout the IT and InfoSec disciplines. His focus for almost ten years has been within the Identity and Access Management space, with experience building and leading the IAM teams for three Fortune 500 firms. Before focusing on the InfoSec discipline, Grant led IT teams and held senior-level leadership positions within Higher Education, including CIO. He has several professional certifications, including CISSP, CCSP, CRISC, CISM, CDPSE, and earned his Bachelor of Science in Information Technology from Franklin University. Grant has spoken at numerous conferences and gatherings regarding the business values IAM can deliver and was named to Security Magazine's 2019 List of Most Influential People in Security. Grant also values lifelong learning as he continues to pursue his Master's degree and works to give back through training and mentoring the next generation of technologists.
________
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek and if you enjoyed this episode, please take a minute and leave a quick rating and review on the Apple podcast app!
Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.com
Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?
Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
In today’s episode, Matthew Clemente talks about the product and engineering scaling challenges working in the biomedical industry.
Key Takeaways:
- An overview of the Biomedical Industry
- Understanding the Biomedical regulatory overhead on the product roadmap
- Testing and regulatory issues.
- Acceleration and efficiencies in the development process.
- Understanding the team’s role & risk management.
- Mission-driven drivers
Connect with Matthew Clemente at https://www.linkedin.com/in/prspctvs
About today’s guest:
Matthew Clemente currently serves as the Senior Vice President of Product & Development at Bigfoot Biomedical, responsible for an innovative, emerging portfolio of diabetes care services and technologies transforming existing care models.
Matthew previously served as the Corporate Vice President of Delivery Systems Engineering at Novo Nordisk and as the Senior Director and Chief Technology Officer at Eli Lilly & Company, where he led the development of portfolios of connected drug delivery devices, applications, and algorithms that served as the foundation of both drug manufacturers and connected diabetes ecosystems. Before that, he was the Director of Advanced Drug Delivery Systems at Unilife Corporation. He built and managed an integrated engineering and science organization focused on mechanical, electromechanical, digital, and container closure systems for prefilled, preassembled, wearable drug delivery applications. Before Unilife, Matthew held various roles of increasing responsibility at multiple Johnson & Johnson companies. He primarily served in the new product development of insulin pumps at Animas Corporation for J&J’s Diabetes Care Franchise.
Matthew obtained a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Miami and an MBA in Finance from Villanova University.
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Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek and if you enjoyed this episode, please take a minute and leave a quick rating and review on the Apple podcast app!
Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.com
Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?
Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
What Is Data Governance and why does it matter? On the show, we have Solomon Madadha, the SVP of Data Analytics & Governance Wealth Management at Regions Bank. We talk about the increasing complexity of data, data collections, data democratization, and so much more….Tune in to the full episode.
In this episode, we cover
- Solomon’s responsibilities at Regions Bank.
- What are the challenges for Data Collections
- What is Data Quality and its importance
- How to ensure accuracy in data collection processes
- Importance of data consistency.
- Data Warehouse fundamental skill set.
- Data Quality and Accessibility measure.
- Data Governance roles and responsibilities.
- Data Governance challenges
- The impact of Data Governance in Cybersecurity
- Connect with Solomon Madahda
About today’s guest:
25 Years of well-rounded experience in Information Technology with 15 years in Enterprise Data Management and Advanced Analytics within the Financial Services Industry.
Visionary and cross-functional organizational leader in delivering business value with Enterprise data strategy, delivered scalable modern Enterprise Data solutions, self-servicing Advanced Analytics Platforms using Big Data and Data Science Capabilities.
Current responsibilities include vision, strategy, and execution of Data Analytics and Governance functions across the Wealth Management Business Units - Private Wealth Management, Institutional Services, Investment Services, Asset Management, and Retirement Services.
________
Thank you so much for checking out, this episode of The Tech Trek and if you enjoyed this episode, please take a minute and leave a quick rating and review on the Apple podcast app!
Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.com
Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?
Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
Today’s guest is Philip Gollucci. Philip is an Executive Engineering Leader, a servant leader focused on building high-performing teams. Listen to the full episode as we discuss Predictability vs Forecasting analytics that empowers your decision making
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- Difference between Forecasting and Predictability
- Metrics of Forecasting and Predictability
- Metric: Calculating Demo complete rate
- A clear Illustration of ROI
- Understanding the value chain management
- Advantage of Predictability as your development model
- Having a decision framework and sharing goals is a must.
- Learn how to take an action plan based on your data.
- How to Manage the collision of your team development.
- How do you measure sprint success?
- What makes a team successful?
- Strict Agile Principles
- Connect with Philip Gollucci
________
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of TheTech Trek and if you enjoyed this episode, please take a minute and leave a quick rating and review of the show on Apple Podcast by clicking on the link below.
Want to learn more about us?
Head over at https://www.elevano.com
Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?
Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
Today’s guest, Cory Thomas, is a VP of Engineering at Secureframe. A highly effective Leader with the ability to engage and inspire Software Development Teams to achieve the best results in the least amount of time.
In this episode, Amir & Cory talks about how to help teams become more autonomous and the key metrics and guardrails that are must-haves. Click play, take good notes, and enjoy this episode of the Tech Trek.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- How can teamwork affect decision-making?
- Ways to improve your Decision‐Making skills.
- The best way to set team goals for success
- Effective metrics for measuring team member performance and why it's so Important.
- The importance of providing the right tools for your team
- DACI - driver approver contributor informed
- How codifying your decision works effectively.
- Managing your autonomous team when something goes wrong.
- Things to consider for your workplace guardrails.
About today’s guest:
As a 3-time VP of Engineering, Cory has spent nearly 20 years building SaaS applications and engineering teams, well before “SaaS” was a well-known term. He’s worked across many verticals, including enterprise information management, custom web applications, HealthTech, EdTech, and design tools. As well as various sized organizations ranging from scrappy startups to large-scale multinationals.
Connect with Cory Thomas at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/corythomas
Thanks for listening to this episode, and if you enjoyed it, please share it on social media using the social share buttons below, and don’t forget to leave a short review on iTunes.
You can find the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker – please subscribe.
We’re very excited to welcome our special guest for today’s episode, Jordan Stone, the VP of Engineering at Paytient, a company on a mission to make paying for and accessing health care easier for everyone. Before that, Jordan led Product and Engineering teams at Panasonic, Deloitte, and Notion (a Comcast company).
In this episode, we talk about documentation and how this can help your team effectively scale. Tune in to the full episode and enjoy.
Key Takeaways:
- Why are there trade-offs associated with making decisions that tend to get lost?
- How does teamwork affect decision-making?
- The costs of code-switching
- Confluence vs Github for documentation, which one is better?
- Documentation democratizes the ability of anyone on the team to have an idea.
- Great way to identify and coordinate stakeholders
- Ways to improve the involvement in decision making.
- The challenges facing engineering and how to overcome those.
- Documentation matters and why you should include it in your code.
Connect with Jordan Stone at Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/jordanmstone
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Thanks for listening to this episode, and if you enjoyed it, please share it on social media using the social share buttons below, and don’t forget to leave a short review on iTunes.
You can find the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker – please subscribe.
Highlights of my conversation with Raj:
- Allowing teams to make decisions at the lowest possible level
- Empowerment is coupled with responsibility
- Make sure only the necessary stakeholders are in a meeting
- Always do the right thing for the customer and stakeholders
- Building out a learning culture
- Agile mindset shift
- Failing faster requires empowerment
- Focusing on measuring outcomes and not activities
Meet: Raj Madan has over 20 years of digital transformation and innovation experience and is currently the CDIO at Arcutis Biotherapeutics. Before joining Arcutis, Raj served as the Vice President of Digital, Data/Analytics, and Innovation for Consumer Healthcare Technology at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). In partnership with the Chief Digital Officer, he was responsible for driving significant elements of their Digital and Tech transformation globally. Before GSK, Raj was with Novartis. He was responsible for managing and delivering global, regional, and localized digital solutions and services across three business units and in more than 80 countries. In addition to healthcare, Raj has experience in the consumer goods sector, having spent 14 years at L’Oreal in various roles, including managing the digital tech function for L’Oreal Americas. Raj holds a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology and a master’s degree in business administration and information systems from New York University Stern School of Business. Raj is also an advisory board member at Onymos, an app development platform that helps developers and teams build brilliant apps faster.
If you have any questions for Raj, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajvir-raj-madan-3a74252
I hope you enjoyed the episode. The best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please message me if you want me to cover specific topics with future guests.
Highlights of my conversation with Clarence:
- Moving from a lead IC role to a co-founder
- Leading through influence
- Giving up the building hat
- Realizing that you need to let go earlier than you think
- Look at processes when you see a law of diminishing returns
- Trial by fire when you don’t know when to ask for help
- Finding peer groups were a great resource to help deal with similar problems
- When you start, take your time to find out what you want to do
- The role of the founder is to find, grow and nurture experts
Meet: Clarence Chio is the co-founder and CTO at Unit21, a Google-funded startup in San Francisco building tools to fight fraud, money laundering, and online abuse. He authored the O’Reilly Book “Machine Learning & Security” and is also an adjunct lecturer at U.C. Berkeley, teaching a graduate course on the same topic.
If you have any questions for Clarence, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cchio
https://twitter.com/cchio
I hope you enjoyed the episode. The best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please message me if you want me to cover specific topics with future guests.
Highlights of my conversation with Clay:
- What does a full stack DevOps Developer do
- Managing SW engineers as a non-SW engineer
- Engaging your employees to maintain a high degree of performance and innovation
- Helping people stay focused on their core competencies
- Managing different types of engineers/skillsets on a team
- Being transparent about your own weaknesses with the team
- Making sure that everyone can see a path forward for their career
- Survey your team quarterly with their technology comfort level to see gaps in your team
- Planning work with the entire team and not just with the senior people
- Each person driving the project will create and maintain their own wiki (Confluence) page
- Driving personal ownership of the project plan will help increase the quality of the plan
Meet: Clay Alvord, a Bay Area native, got his start in IT helping his dad out at Fry's electronics doing low voltage work. From there, he got a job as a sys admin at a startup that eventually sold to Oracle. At that point, he moved into hardware and data centers like Apple and VMware. Clay eventually landed as the Senior Data Center Engineer at Box and eventually became the Global Data Center Manager, managing data centers across the planet for Box. With a passion for infrastructure and automation, Clay built a tooling team to enhance and better scale the management of Box's physical infrastructure. As a Senior Manager, Clay now runs 2 DevOps teams that build software and tools to effectively manage Box's on-prem infrastructure and its vast public cloud presence.
If you have any questions for Clay, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/clayalvord/
I hope you enjoyed the episode. The best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please message me if you want me to cover specific topics with future guests.
Highlights of my conversation with Ana:
- The intersection of SRE/business
- Complex systems always fail
- Reliability is a feature of the system
- SLAs are a partnership with the customer
- Managing SLAs in proactive and reactive situations
- Measure everything
- Impact of outages and communicating to business
- Collaboration with Security
- Involving SRE at the beginning of the implementation is important
- Planning for future tools
- Celebrating team wins
- Learning opportunities from outages
Meet: Ana Lebron is the leader of the Site Reliability Engineering team at Enova International. She has been in the technology industry for the last 15 years in different roles. She started her career as a system engineer in the aerospace industry, working in Germany and Spain. In 2010 Ana undertook an MBA specializing in Technology Operations, and since then, she has worked at Enova International, leading change management, problem management, and site reliability engineering teams. Ana has co-organized Chicago Women in Tech Conference (Chiwitcon) and is passionate about DevOps and Agile practices.
If you have any questions for Ana, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ana-a-lebron/
I hope you enjoyed the episode. The best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please message me if you want me to cover specific topics with future guests.
Highlights of my conversation with Moitree:
- Building an analytics team to support the company's digital transformation initiatives
- The skill sets of an analytics team have become diverse
- Investing in emerging technologies and using them
- Evaluating resourcing to be able to get the most out of your investment
- Business vs technical chops
- Finding hybrid skills is a challenge to growing teams
- Define your requirements to drive the skill set you need on your team
- When do you add new capabilities vs keeping it with external partners
Meet: Moitree Rahman is a marketing analytics and data professional with 12+ years of experience making an impact in data and tech strategy roles for Fortune 500 companies that span across diverse business verticals, including CPG (Colgate-Palmolive), Telco (AT&T), Media-Entertainment (AT&T/Warner Media/ Xandr) and SaaS (LiveRamp) companies.
Currently leading the Digital Measurement transformation at Colgate-Palmoliveer efficiently and at scale.
If you have any questions for Moitree, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/moitreerahman/
I hope you enjoyed the episode. The best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please message me if you want me to cover specific topics with future guests.
Highlights of my conversation with Laku:
- Aligning work to the broader company goals
- Engineers like to work on things that actually get used
- CTO should focus on customer success channels
- Focusing on what impact we can bring to the customer
- Translating that to daily motivation
- Distilling the message into the simplest form
- Not using release dates as motivation
- Explaining technical debt to the broader organization
- Engineering bandwidth as a pie chart
Meet: As CancerIQ’s CTO, Laku Adedoyin leads a growing engineering team that is helping to end cancer as we know it by focusing on early detection and efficient screening. He has over 20 years of experience in software development, engineering, and product leadership. Before joining CancerIQ, he led engineering and product management teams that built electronic data collection and clinical trial management systems used by leading research centers, clinical research organizations, sponsors, research sites, and large health systems.
Laku is very passionate about building products that bring value to customers and building engineering and product teams to deliver efficiently and at scale. In his free time, he spends time hiking, woodworking, cooking, and with his kids.
If you have any questions for Laku, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lakuad/
I hope you enjoyed the episode. The best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please message me if you want me to cover specific topics with future guests.
Highlights of my conversation with Cindy:
- Starting as the only female engineering hire in a startup
- Bring up diversity hiring plans before you are hired
- Transparency is at the center of inclusivity
- Putting women on interview panels is important, but making sure it’s not just a check box
- Be careful not to reward the wrong traits
- Advice for female engineers looking to move into management
- Ask for the opportunity; don’t wait for it
- Educational opportunities to move into STEM
Meet: With over a decade of experience developing consumer web products, Cindy currently leads the engineering team at imgix. Previously, Cindy led the web and mobile engineering teams at Polyvore, which was acquired in 2015. She has a degree in computer science from Stanford.
If you have any questions for Cindy, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindywangchu/
I hope you enjoyed the episode. The best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please message me if you want me to cover specific topics with future guests.
Highlights of my conversation with Alonzo:
- Drivers for leaving a large public company for a startup
- Moving into the blockchain information space
- Trying to maximize time zone overlap in a remote-first strategy
- Avoiding information lag for remote employees
- Innovating the hiring process to fit your needs
- Throwing out the 2-week sprint and redesigning the process
- Building autonomous teams and trust
Meet: Alonzo is SVP of Engineering at The Block and is focused on leading the Product Development department through the Growth stage. He is responsible for building software and data products that enhance users' experience while supporting the business as it grows and scales. Before joining The Block, Alonzo was Vice President of Software Engineering at Mastercard Data & Services. He is passionate about technology, innovation, people leadership, investing, and entrepreneurship. Alonzo earned dual degrees in Computer Science and Physics from Carnegie Mellon University and is committed to working in the Blockchain & Digital Assets space at this stage in his career.
If you have any questions for Alonzo, please feel free to reach out via:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alonzobenavides/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/zobenavides
I hope you enjoyed the episode. The best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please message me if you want me to cover specific topics with future guests.
Highlights of my conversation with Jeff:
- An idea can come from a one-off problem or a long-term strategic issue to tackle
- Relationship between research and product management
- Impact on roadmaps
- Investment grows as you prove the value
- Moving from research to POC
- When a hypothesis doesn’t work out (building corporate memory)
- Finding the balance in an engineer between implementing and researching
- Nurturing the kernel of an idea
Meet: Jeff Gabriel has been delivering software one way or another for the last couple of decades and is now primarily focused on helping our teams to deliver high-value products for customers of DataRobot's machine learning platform. When not at work, Jeff likes to spend time with his wife and their three grown children whenever they can get hold of them.
If you have any questions for Jeff, please feel free to reach out via:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-gabriel-88395b/
I hope you enjoyed the episode. The best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you want me to cover specific topics with future guests.
Highlights of my conversation with Fabian:
- Hiring the best talent vs a specific seniority level
- Hiring “scrappy” technologists
- Allowing your senior engineers to grow
- Calibrate team mix based on organizational goals
- Find a balance as you need to shift your hiring needs (avoid whiplash)
- A roadmap update shouldn’t require a complete alteration of the hiring plan
- Revisiting interview questions quarterly as you grow your team
Meet: Fabian Frank is the VP of Engineering at Airkit, a customer experience automation platform. Before Airkit, Fabian worked at Salesforce and Yahoo.
If you have any questions for Fabian, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/fabianfrank87
I hope you enjoyed the episode. The best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you want me to cover specific topics with future guests.
Highlights of my conversation with Dehron:
- Be an advocate for your engineers
- Typing methodology changes to values
- People want scrum to drive autonomy and accountability
- Let people make mistakes to drive better project management skills
- Culture is an “output” (ask the why)
- Use bottom-up feedback
- Giving away control leads to a better scrum team
- Pilot ideas (tweaks vs grenades)
Meet: Dehron Hite-Benson is an engineering leader with driving engineering teams. He is focused on the future of our software technologies and resource needs, as well as the governance model that drives everything. At the time of this recording, Dehron was working at DroneUp
If you have any questions for Dehron, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dehron
I hope you enjoyed the episode. The best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you want me to cover specific topics with future guests or know someone that might want to be on the show.
Highlights of my conversation with Jose:
- Being promoted into a role too quickly
- Continuing education to grow and enhance leadership skills
- It's important to have strong routines within a team
- Identifying patterns and focusing on the optimal ones
- Consistent processes help establish team expectations
- Identify your hiring gap and find the strongest person to cover that
- Searching for your next hire might not always offer the team the best value
- Adding to your organization's core competencies by being able to identify future superstars
Meet: For the past three years, Jose Asuncion has been honing the art and science of building software engineering teams that look corporate but carry a killer instinct. He was an early employee at two Silicon Valley startups that had successful exits of more than $100M. He still works at one of these companies and is enjoying the challenge of blazing new trails in engineering management.
If you have any questions for Jose, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeunito
I hope you enjoyed the episode. The best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you want me to cover specific topics with future guests.
Highlights of my conversation with Amin:
- Attributes of a strong engineer
- Technical excellence doesn’t always mean being the best coder
- Impacting the overall organization is a key attribute of a manager
- Empathy is a key attribute of technical leadership
- Look for opportunities to affect the larger organization
- Enabling collaboration between managers and principal engineers
- Having “operational rigor”
Meet: Amin Lakhani is the Director of Software Engineering at ServiceLink after spending the previous three years at Microsoft. He has an undergraduate degree from DePaul University in Math and Computer Science and an MBA from the University of Illinois.
If you have any questions for Amin, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/amin-lakhani/
I hope you enjoyed the episode. The best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you want me to cover specific topics with future guests.
Highlights of my conversation with Leon:
- Is moving into management the right next step for an employee
- Create opportunities for an employee to gain some exposure to management
- Helping employees navigate different career tracks
- Finding the best fit for people you manage
- The (possibly false) allure of moving into management
- Keep evolving and growing your own managerial skills
- Easier to take an opportunity to lead than wait for it to be given
Meet: Leon Fayer is a Vice President of Engineering at Teaching Strategies, a leader in early childhood education. He is a veteran technologist with over two decades of expertise focused on developing, architecting, and operating complex systems in support of organizational growth. Over his professional career, Leon worked with some of the most world-renowned organizations and agencies such as National Geographic, MTV, Wikipedia, Vodafone, White House, Toyota, and Soul Cycle. Leon is also a published author and an industry-renowned public speaker, writing and presenting on topics of industry trends and best practices, sharing his experience related to designing and operating technology-first organizations at scale.
If you have any questions for Leon, please feel free to reach out via:
https://twitter.com/papa_fire
https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonfayer
I hope you enjoyed the episode. The best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you want me to cover specific topics with future guests.
Highlights of my conversation with Neil:
- Stakeholder’s level of technical sophistication impacts the level of planning
- Importance of the relationship with the product team
- Envisioning the team's growth past the current state
- Incubating a team until they are able to stand on their own
- Avoiding being too tactical
- Finding opportunities to piggyback new features into the existing work
- Helping new team members buy into the vision by providing the history behind the team/company
- Documentation will help the onboarding process
- Avoiding the walled garden when implementing a squad structure
- Combining project management and release management
- Every squad has 3 owners to drive quality (product, engineering, release)
Meet: Neil Bhay is the CTO of TuneCore, a global platform for independent musicians. He joined TuneCore in 2018 with the mission to scale and introduce enterprise-level best practices to TuneCore’s organizational structure & technology stack. He evolved an original team of 6 & established agile processes to oversee remote/local teams of 65+ in IT, QA, Release Mgmt, DevOps & Engineering in operations of office, cloud infrastructure & web/native app development.
Neil comes from a history of managing enterprise technology teams at Viacom and HBO and, before that applying those same skills in start-up environments which contributed to his expertise in growing and organizing teams towards product delivery.
If you have any questions for Neil, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilbhay/
I hope you enjoyed the episode. The best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you want me to cover specific topics with future guests.
Topics we covered:
- Retaining Top Talent
- Understanding your employees before it's too late
- Safe Spaces
- Are more Engineering Managers better?
- Hypergrowth Hiring
- Diversity Hiring
- Time spent on Talent Acquisition?
- Offers strategy
Meet the guests:
Kirby Frugia - https://www.mural.co/blog/meet-kirby-frugia
Kirby Frugia is MURAL’s SVP of Engineering and is responsible for Product Engineering, DevOps, and Data Engineering. He joined the company in October 2020, and since then, he has grown his team from 48 MURAListas to over 200. Kirby first got into software engineering because he loves problem-solving and making things easier for people — whether that’s a process, a tool, or an experience. He’s always looking for ways to unlock someone’s creativity or ability to do more with what’s in front of them.
Ken Pickering - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenpickering/
Ken Pickering is the SVP of Engineering at Starburst Data, where he's looking to help companies make better, faster decisions on more complete data. Before that, he was the CTO of Hopper and made travel easy and affordable.
David Ting - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dting
David Ting joined Nylas from Flexport, where he led platform Engineering. David brings nearly 30 years of experience leading high-performance engineering teams for companies as diverse as Yahoo!, IBM, and Activision | Blizzard.
I hope you enjoyed the episode. The best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you want me to cover specific topics with future guests.
Highlights of my conversation with Felix:
- Technical debt is a warning sign
- Liability in the code is not the same as technical debt
- Dealing with “code smell”
- Trying to quantify technical debt
- You need cause to dive into technical debt
- Very important to set your standards
- Define when things are “done”
- Why are you digging into the code?
- What things are and what they should be
Meet: Felix Sargent is a Sr Software Engineering Manager at Truework. He has years of experience working on high-throughput platforms at scale. He’s been part of the larger tech community since 2008, and has driven industry-wide conversations around flexible product management, API design, managing technical debt, and building engineering teams. He believes teams work best when they feel safe, and are well equipped for their challenging work.
His specialties are backend product and engineering management, developer tools, cloud infrastructure, containers, and deployment pipelines. He’s great at taking existing platforms and scaling them up to be more reliable, secure, and performant. He loves digging into obscure business logic and simplifying workflows.
If you have any questions for Felix, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/felixsargent/
I hope you enjoyed the episode. The best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you want me to cover specific topics with future guests.
Highlights of my conversation with Jeff:
- Wanting to join a company to impact individual lives
- Adjusting to a HIPAA regulated industry
- Understanding all aspects of data flow
- Evolving to the strategic impact of the CTO role and shedding some hats (the last one being VP of Engineering)
- Switching between the different hats (strategic vs technical)
- Creating an organizational plan to balance the tech stack and career opportunities for growth
Meet: Jeff has been working in the technology space for over 20 years as everything from a software engineer, chief architect, Vice President of Engineering, and Chief Technology Officer. As the CTO at Octave, he will be expanding and scaling our world-class team of software engineers, evolving our architecture for scale, and guiding our technology to make the lives of clinicians and clients better.
Prior to joining Octave Jeff was in the Wellness space with TrueCoach, as well as the Enterprise SaaS space with Rally Software.
When not working, he can be found enjoying everything Colorado has to offer, including snowboarding, hiking, and cycling.
If you have any questions for Jeff, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jefmsmit
I hope you enjoyed the episode. The best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you want me to cover specific topics with future guests.
Highlights of my conversation with Nikhil:
- It takes a village (people, executives, everyone) for employee engagement to be successful
- Providing employees with safe spaces
- Leveraging trends from survey data (NPS style)
- Empower managers to align with individuals and their teams
- Allow teams to make decentralized decisions on how they implement certain processes
- Onboarding is a critical piece and starts before the start date
Meet: Nikhil Desai is an experienced software engineer with 15+ years of global high tech and FinTech experience. He is passionate about creating products that provide real value to customers and significantly impact society. He has worked on product development for the LendingClub platform, Citrix GoToMeeting, and several other high-scale software products and services. Recently, leading 60+ engineers at Earnest, a FinTech company focused on solving interesting problems in the student loans space
If you have any questions for Nikhil, please feel free to reach out via:
www.linkedin.com/in/nikhildesai
I hope you enjoyed the episode. The best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you want me to cover specific topics with future guests.
Highlights of my conversation with Ray:
- Historically security was done in the shadows
- Everyone is a partner to the security team
- Give people a sense of ownership and their part in the security program
- Drive surveys using tactical questions
- Do employees have confidence in the security team handling relevant issues
- If you have an external service, you should be thinking of security
- Go back and resurvey after incorporating security changes
- Share the security survey results with everyone and be transparent
Meet: Meet: Ray Espinoza is CISO at Inspectiv. At the time of recording, he was the VP of Cloud Security at Medallia. Before Medallia, Ray was CISO at Cobalt.io, a pentest-as-a-service company. Ray also drove third-party cloud security across Amazon's retail business. He also held VP and CISO roles with Atmosera and Proofpoint and various security leadership positions at Workday, Cisco Systems, and eBay.
If you have any questions for Ray, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ray-espinoza-b399821/
https://twitter.com/rayespinozasec
I hope you enjoyed the episode. The best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you want me to cover specific topics with future guests.
Highlights of my conversation with Dhara:
- Try to adopt a product mindset for shared services
- Measure value in a tangible way
- Focus on developer adoption as a metric
- Direct impact on development life cycle
- Celebrating for the team
- With technical customers, a technical product manager would be helpful
- Get client stakeholder engagement to understand and drive platform requirements
- Building awareness around initiatives
Meet: Dhara Patel is SVP of Engineering, leading multiple groups building product platforms at Kinesso. She has industry experience in SaaS products and leading engineering teams in hyper-growth environments. Throughout her experience, she has led various platforms, services, data-centric products, and SaaS applications at scale. Before joining Kinesso, she led various engineering and product groups at Twilio and Citrix, building enterprise insights products, developer platforms, internal tools, and applications. She is passionate about leadership and enjoys working in areas where business meets engineering and innovation.
If you have any questions for Dhara, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dharapateldesai/
I hope you enjoyed the episode. The best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you want me to cover specific topics with future guests.
Highlights of my conversation with John:
- Establishing an analytics Center of Excellence
- Using a hub and spoke model as a service provider to the business
- Hiring analysts with a consultative mindset
- Consistently delivering solutions to build long term trust
- Juggling the delivery roadmap to meet business needs
Meet: Currently Director for Analytics at Brookdale Senior Living, John is an expert in digital transformation and data strategy. He leads organizations through growth and development of business analytics practices, primarily in service-oriented industries such as healthcare. As a result, John's work has delivered ROI and winning strategies for companies in the business of people. John holds a BA from Occidental College and MBA from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, where he lives with his family.
If you have any questions for John, please feel free to reach out via:
https://twitter.com/johnawilsontn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnawilson/
I hope you enjoyed the episode. The best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you want me to cover specific topics with future guests.
Highlights of my conversation with Joshua:
- Educating the organization on the benefits of improved reliability and observability capabilities
- Setting up an SRE book club
- The answer isn’t always “do what Google does”
- Wearing your on-call “pain suit”
- Getting involved in business discussions earlier
- Sometimes it's about showing out the team’s abilities (celebrating the wins)
- SRE has always been a culture shift
- Asking for the right outcomes and letting things shift
- SRE is a core business partner
If you have any questions for Joshua, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/coderjoshua/
I hope you enjoyed the episode. The best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you want me to cover specific topics with future guests.
Highlights of my conversation with Sagar:
- Different personas have their own definition of quality
- Quality is baked in by shifting the process left
- The QA team is involved in planning and grooming
- Developers spend half of the sprint on QA
- Each pod is a self-sufficient team
Meet: Sagar Anand works as a Sr Engineering Manager at Twin Health, leading the Platform team to help reverse chronic metabolic diseases. He takes pride in building customer-centric products while cultivating a positive culture & team spirit. Before Health Tech, he developed marketplaces & Big data platforms for different industries, including RPA and Enterprise Software.
If you have any questions for Sagar, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanand1989/
I hope you enjoyed the episode. The best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you want me to cover specific topics with future guests.
Highlights from my chat with Ken:
- Being deliberate about who and what you are
- Doubling a team and the change in how a team operates
- Incorporating different technical skill sets
- Bringing in external expertise and disseminating the knowledge
- Opening information silos and increasing transparency
Meet: Ken Pickering is the VP of Engineering at Starburst Data, where he's looking to help companies make better, faster decisions on more complete data. Before that, he was the CTO of Hopper and made travel easy and affordable.
If you have any questions for Ken, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenpickering/
https://twitter.com/kpick
I hope you enjoyed the episode. The best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you want me to cover specific topics with future guests.
Highlights from my conversation with Brian:
- Niche industry but not niche skills
- Working with other teams to partner where there is a skills gap
- Realizing which parts of the tech stack you can “let go” to broaden the candidate pool
- Software engineering foundations go a long way
- Building an ecosystem around the Windows platform
Meet: Brian Jackson is a DevOps advocate currently helping create immersive Star Wars experiences at Lucasfilm. Currently, Brian is the Manager of DevOps Engineering at Lucasfilm. Previously helped Apple Pay and ESPN.com be more productive through delivery automation.
If you have any questions for Brian, please feel free to reach out via:
https://twitter.com/jaxzin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianrjackson/
https://www.instagram.com/jaxzin/
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
Highlights of my conversation with Kinshuk:
- Bell curve of seniority on the team
- Monitoring the manager to engineering ratio; targetting 1:5
- Promoting people into management roles leads to internal credibility to lead the team
- Building an engineering program to give back to the organization
- Many times career frameworks are introduced too late in the hyper-growth phase
Cedar’s Distinguished Engineer Program (DEP): https://decode.cedar.com/our-engineering-growth-framework/
Meet: Kinshuk Mishra leads the product engineering and data teams at Cedar in his role as VP, Engineering. Cedar is a healthcare financial engagement platform that addresses all of the challenges consumers face when paying for care.
Kinshuk started his career as a backend engineer in Seattle working for Expedia and Amazon for the first few years of his career. He then joined as one of the founding engineers of Spotify’s Ads Engineering team in NYC, and witnessed the hyper-growth of Spotify’s product and the organization during his stint leading the Ads Engineering team—learning the strategies one needs to navigate a rapidly scaling company. He then moved to the San Francisco Bay Area to lead engineering for a small startup in the video communication space, Houseparty. And just prior to Cedar, Kinshuk led teams at YouTube in the music streaming space.
Through his experience of managing teams at companies large and small, he has learned valuable management lessons through both successes and failures.
If you have any questions for Kinshuk, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kinshukmishra/
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
Some of what Arie covers:
- The rising importance of AB testing
- Measuring the impact of localization
- AB testing relationship with product management
- Archive testing recommendations as a knowledge repository
Meet: Arie Polycarpou is the Manager of Digital Analytics and A/B Testing at Total Wine & More. He was raised in the Midwest and attended Indiana University Kelley School of Business with Majors in Marketing and Entrepreneurship, but was always interested in a career in business insights. He has worked in Digital Analytics and A/B Testing for the last 5+ years with experience in major B2C Industries. He has helped to build up A/B Testing practices into full-scale programs with a 10x increase in velocity and statistical rigor. In his current role at Total Wine & More, Arie works with his team to translate business insights into tangible ideas to improve the business
If you have any questions for Arie, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariepolycarpou/
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
Some of what Christian covers:
- Horizontal service teams enable and collaborate
- The balancing point between innovation and confidence in roadmaps
- Timeboxing approach to provide capped flexibility to explore
- Rotational engineering programs grow cross-functional relationships
- Integrating the learned knowledge from the rotational engineering program
- Creating a feedback loop via a service-oriented mindset
- Using the Focused Innovation pillar
Meet: Christian Yang is an engineering manager at Zoox for two software infrastructure teams: High-Performance Compute and 3D Vehicle Run Visualization Platform
If you have any questions for Christian, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/yang-christian/
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
Some of what Dina talks about:
- Finding a way to connect with your team in a way you haven’t before
- Building safe spaces to allow people to be heard
- All slack channels are public
- Create a culture committee to have employees be a part of the solution
- Break down assumptions that have been made
- Time and space introduce attribution error
Meet: Dina Bruzek has over 31 years of experience in technology with more than 23 years of experience leading teams in the development of market-leading cybersecurity products. At Huntress Labs, Dina is Senior Vice President of Product and Engineering and is responsible for guiding the execution of the company’s product strategy across the engineering and product management groups to bring enterprise-grade solutions to Mid-Market and SMB partners. Prior to joining Huntress Labs, Dina was also the SVP of Product and Engineering at NSS Labs and The Media Trust. Prior to that, Dina led Cisco’s Network Threat Defense (NTD) group, where she was responsible for a $1.5 billion product portfolio. Dina joined Cisco through the 2013 acquisition of Sourcefire for $2.7 billion. At Cisco, she led the company’s strategy to deliver the first threat-focused next-generation firewall. In addition, she led the integration of the Sourcefire and Cisco development teams and the agile transformation of the development and test organizations to form the NTD group, which consisted of more than 800 engineers. Before joining Cisco, Dina was the Vice President of Product Development at Sourcefire, where she was responsible for software and hardware development for Sourcefire network security products. She has also held various technical, strategic, and management roles in Internet security at Secure Computing Corporation and Network Associates. She started her career as a communications systems engineer at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. Dina holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University and an MS in Engineering from Johns Hopkins University.
If you have any questions for Dina, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dina-bruzek-997941/
https://twitter.com/dbruzek
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
What Cliff covers:
- Data as an indicator
- Don’t put process above purpose
- Data-driven culture
- Using analytics to frame the story
- Storytelling in analytics
- Time for the data plumbing
Meet: Cliff Kim brings more than 10 years of experience to his role as Director of Insights and Analytics for Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC), one of the world’s leading musical instrument manufacturers, marketers, and distributors. A digital storyteller, Cliff is dedicated to growing Fender's physical and digital business through data-driven insights, conversion rate optimization, marketing, and product analytics, and continuous consumer research.
During his tenure at Fender, Cliff helped build PlayThrough, an initiative where Fender offered a free three-month subscription of Fender Play®, the complete online learning app for guitar, bass, and ukulele, to support the community during social distancing. This initiative brought nearly one million new players to the app. He also led a study that brought insights into how the guitar business has changed because of these new players. Learnings from the data gathered helped the team launch Beginners Hub, a network of online resources that includes every tool a new player needs to start, stick with and eventually master their guitar, bass, or ukulele.
Prior to joining Fender, Cliff held leadership roles at Live Nation Entertainment, ESPN, Yahoo!, among others. He is a UC Riverside alumni and currently resides in Los Angeles California.
If you have any questions for Cliff, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cliffkim/
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
Some of what Nilesh talks about:
- Joining a fast-growing NFT startup
- Managing blockchain at scale
- More freedom to build Greenfield
- Factors to consider selecting the tech stack
- Constantly measuring and sizing
- Watching the growth and emerging tech in the NFT space
Meet: Nilesh Nimkar has 23+ years of experience in FinTech specializing in Blockchain Technologies, Cloud Native Architecture, DevSecOps, and Technology Management at Scale. He currently works as Sr. Director of DevSecOps at Voice.com
If you have any questions for Nilesh, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nimkar/
https://twitter.com/nimkar
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
Some of what Guillaume talks about:
- Equilibrium between people and process
- Culture of safety
- What happens when you don’t know how to test something
- Balancing innovation and safety
- Blameless post mortem
- Avoiding gaps in ownership
Meet: Guillaume Binet is the Vice President of Software Infrastructure at Motional, a global leader in driverless technology. Guillaume’s 20-year career in technology spans multiple start-ups and established organizations, including over six years in the autonomous vehicle industry. Early in his career, Guillaume led Twilio’s API team and Google’s App Engine team, helping both organizations scale and grow at a rapid pace.
In 2016, Guillaume joined the self-driving industry, first at Uber ATG, starting the organization’s software performance team, and then Argo, where he helped pioneer the concept of a Robotics Infrastructure team to bridge the gap between autonomy research and applied software on a real-time system. He joined Motional in 2020 to oversee the development of its vehicles’ on-board and off-board infrastructure. In his positions, Guillaume has managed global teams of 100+ engineers. He holds multiple patents under his name.
Raised in Paris, Guillaume developed a passion for computers and automotive technology at a young age. Along with his professional career, Guillaume has received his pilot's license and competes in car and sailboat racing.
If you have any questions for Guillaume, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbinet
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
Some of what Swarna talks about:
- Understanding DevOps maturity prior to starting a new position
- Defining separation between backend and DevOps teams
- DevOps maturity impacts the skills you need to hire for
Meet: Swarna Mani is the Head of DevOps at Datavant. She formed and led the DevSecOps team at Guidewire. Swarna started her career in telecom software as a developer. Her passion is problem-solving. Her experience as a developer helps her to enable DevOps and approach it with a mindset to solve Ops issues using software. Swarna holds a BS in Electronics and Communications from the University of Madras, MS in Software Systems from BITS, Pilani, and a Diploma in Management Essentials from Harvard Business School.
If you have any questions for Swarna, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/swarna-mani-a815402/
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
Some of what Brian talks about:
- Developers own the QA process
- Adding sand in the gears
- Technical asset development (technical debt) explained as a positive experience
- TAD is nothing to be ashamed about
- Service intervals to make sure you have scheduled a “monthly oil change” to address framework/language updates
Meet: Brian Hosie has worked for a decade helping small businesses owners to succeed, grow and thrive. He's passionate about building tech that solves real problems for real people. Over his 15 year career in technology, he has led and grown several highly functioning engineering teams that deliver on time without heroics or 2 AM death marches. Brian currently serves as the Senior Vice President of Lendio, the largest online marketplace for small business lending in the United States.
If you have any questions for Brian, please feel free to reach out via:
https://linkedin.com/in/bhosie
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
Some of what Jeff talks about:
- Upscaling the relationship between testing and SRE
- Ensuring the quality of the platform
- Being error-free is the lowest bar
- The first mandate is to protect the health of the production environment
- Moving from quality assurance to quality engineering
Meet: Jeff Vier - Technical Operations Leader. Metrics enthusiast. Testing evangelist.
If you have any questions for Jeff, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffvier/
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
Some of what Jeff talks about:
- Making the decision to move to a larger organization
- Making decisions when things aren’t greenfield
- Finding interesting opportunities by uncovering legacy work
- Managing technical debt within a larger organization
Meet: Jeff Byrnes is the SRE Manager at athenahealth. Jeff is a musician turned web dev turned ops/infrastructure engineer turned engineering manager.
If you have any questions for Jeff, please feel free to reach out via:
https://twitter.com/thejeffbyrnes
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffbyrnes
https://www.instagram.com/jeffbyrnes
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
Some of what Ali talks about:
- Handling the hiring process to overcome the challenges of hiring remote
- Adjusting the software development process to minimize the impact of employees that might leave
- Paying attention to context switching
- Building a team post-pandemic
- Shifting the development process from Scrum to Kanban
Meet: Ali Hosseinkhani is the Director of Software Engineering at Next Trucking leading four teams focusing on data engineering, machine learning, platform application development, and infrastructure.
If you have any questions for Ali, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kosarh/
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
Chad dives into everything data platform product management including:
- Why does your org need a data product manager
- Origin of where the role comes from
- Measuring the impact of the data platform product manager
- What to look for in hiring a data platform PM
- Take advantage of internal-facing PM roles
Meet: Chad Sanderson is the Head of Product for Convoy’s Data Platform team, which includes the data warehouse, streaming, BI and visualization, experimentation, machine learning, and data discovery.
If you have any questions for Chad, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-sanderson/
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
Some of what Juan Pablo talks about:
- Lean into potential
- An early-stage startup can take risks to let people grow into roles
- Hiring someone with experience means you are hiring someone that has already made mistakes
- Experience can be a double-edged sword
- People grow linearly; organizations grow exponentially
- Interviewing is part of building software and you must account for that process
Meet: Juan Pablo Buriticá is a software engineering leader who has built and led distributed teams at companies like Stripe and Splice. He currently leads Engineering at Ritchie Bros, is originally from Bogotá, Colombia, and lives in New York City. After a decade of building distributed engineering teams, he compiled his experience in The Holloway Guide to Remote Work.
Juan Pablo has built high-performing software engineering organizations by emphasizing Open Source software values, technical excellence, trust, and empathy. He has also organized more than 10 software engineering conferences in the US & Latin America, founded multiple JavaScript meetups, and led the creation and growth of Colombia’s JavaScript community, now one of the largest Spanish-speaking JS communities in the world.
His favorite food group is empanadas.
If you have any questions for Juan Pablo, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/buritica/
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
Key takeaways:
- Gap analysis to forecast data pipeline needs
- Work backward from the end-user point of view
- Every system has to have some human involvement
- Going beyond the initial scope of work to learn about a new industry
- Working with stakeholders to help them understand what goes into getting analytics to them
Meet: Trenton Huey is the Director of Data at Vida Health, which provides access to therapists, registered dietitians, and health coaches for mental and physical health conditions. His team drives innovation, clinical outcomes, and business growth through machine learning, AI, and reporting and analytics.
If you have any questions for Trenton, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/trentonhuey/
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
Key takeaways:
- Optimize resource allocation by examining maturing applications
- Find ways to offload activities to 3rd party services to help scale
- Being remote requires an open work culture
Meet: Aniket Soneji is passionate about solving the world's most important and difficult problems with innovative engineering solutions. He holds multiple engineering degrees from UC Berkeley, and spent his first few years in technology consulting, helping clients across the US build-out and scale their IoT and Analytics platforms. He currently serves as the VP of Engineering at AutoGrid, where his team is building the software to help support, optimize and monetize today's energy transition.
If you have any questions for Aniket, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/aniket-m-soneji/
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
Some of what Brent talks about:
- Engineering management is made up of complex systems
- Provide your team with a playbook and make sure the playbook is being executed
- People are the most complex system
- Build up engineering management systems and refactor
Meet: Brent Goldman is the VP of Engineering at Sisu Data, the industry's first decision intelligence engine helping companies make better business decisions with data. Prior to Sisu, Brent was an engineering director at Uber, where he founded and led teams responsible for dispatch, pricing, self-driving cars, measurement & inference platforms, and more. Before Uber, Brent co-founded Standard Treasury, a YC-backed enterprise API banking platform acquired by SVB. Brent started his career at Facebook as an early engineer building the third-party Developer Platform, and he earned a B.S. in Computer Science & Economics from Caltech. Outside of work, Brent is an active angel investor with a portfolio of ~100 startups, as well as a conceptual artist building electronic & experiential art.
If you have any questions for Brent, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brentgoldman
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
In this episode, Gil talks about the impact that prebuilt integrations have on an organization and how these integrations have expanded opportunities for both end-users and software companies.
Meet: Gil Feig is the co-founder of Merge. Previously the Head of Engineering at Canvas, he’s led projects at Wealthfront and LinkedIn. A graduate of Columbia University, Gil lives and works in San Francisco.
If you have any questions for Gil, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gilfeig/
https://twitter.com/GilFeig
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
What we talk about on this episode:
- “Ship Wow, Ship Now” mantra
- Developer autonomy to drive process improvement
- Using your “I intend to” voice
- Focus on delightful experiences, high-quality products and act with urgency
- Perceived vs actual velocity
Meet: Kirby Frugia is MURAL’s SVP of Engineering and is responsible for Product Engineering, DevOps, and Data Engineering. He joined the company in October 2020 and since then, he has grown his team from 48 MURAListas to over 200. Kirby first got into software engineering because he loves problem-solving and making things easier for people — whether that’s a process, a tool, or an experience. He’s always looking for ways to unlock someone’s creativity or ability to do more with what’s in front of them.
Over the course of his career, Kirby has worked at numerous companies, including Hewlett-Packard, InVision, and New Relic, where he’s built both products and teams. While at HP, he built software for digital printing presses and realized his passion for managing teams. From HP, he transitioned to New Relic, where he found his niche growing and helping teams adapt to a high-growth start-up environment while staying true to who they are as a company. For Kirby, building products and building teams have something in common: They both involve a firm sense of the company’s values, scaling processes and practices, and lots of communication and listening.
He holds bachelor’s degrees in business administration and computer science from Oregon State University. He lives near Portland, Oregon.
If you have any questions for Kirby, please feel free to reach out via:
https://twitter.com/kfrugia
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kfrugia/
https://www.mural.co/blog/meet-kirby-frugia
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
Key takeaways:
- Define when you should look to formalize the product role
- Look for a bottleneck in the decision-making process
- Creating an opportunity for people on the team to grow into new roles
- Look to internal staff to promote people into product positions
- Growing into a new role means owning the decisions and learning opportunities
Meet: Chris White is currently the Chief Technology Officer of Prefect, overseeing the design and implementation of the next generation of data workflow automation systems. Chris began his journey into data tooling while getting his Ph.D. in Mathematics at the University of Texas at Austin, where he researched optimization guarantees for highly non-convex data-driven problems. Throughout his career, Chris has gained experience in a diverse number of roles - teacher, researcher, data scientist, software engineer, sales engineer, and security officer to name a few.
In his spare time, he is an avid runner and loves spending time in the ocean.
If you have any questions for Chris, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/whitecdw
https://twitter.com/markov_gainz
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
Key takeaways:
- Overcoming the perceptions of the healthcare and life sciences industry
- Mission-driven aspects of the industry is a massive draw from high-tech companies
- Ramping up on nomenclature
- Moving fast and saving lives
- Software engineering becoming a competitive advantage rather than a service organization
Meet: Over the past 15 years, Hamed Ahmadi has contributed to many software products in various industries impacting millions of users with very diverse needs. To name a few, Microsoft Visual Studio, Office & Windows, the data acquisition & monitoring systems for the largest fleet of renewable energy power plants in the world, the infrastructure and software systems for two pioneer Life Sciences companies leading the development of novel blood-based genomic tests for diagnosing the cause of cancer and infectious diseases. Hamed is passionate about our environment and positive social impact, which is projected in his work, volunteering activities, and photography as his hobby when not working on software systems.
If you have any questions for Hamed, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/hamedahmadi
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
Key takeaways:
- Product velocity and delivering with quality
- Strategic technical debt - making the trade-off of customer acquisition vs robust code
- Focusing on strategic projects to pay down debt
- Early-stage startups have external pressures that drive growth
- Shifting from sales-driven growth to product management driven growth
Meet: Bill Press is the SVP of Engineering at Iterable. He is an accomplished technology leader with over a dozen years in enterprise and on-demand software. He has strong leadership skills and deep technological background. Bill has a proven track record for shepherding organizations through technological and cultural shifts, for building strong, collaborative teams, and for directing a broad range of ambitious projects to high quality, on-time delivery.
If you have any questions for Bill, please feel free to reach out via: http://linkedin.com/in/billpress
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
Key takeaways:
- Talk about process changes and explain the reasons behind them
- Going through acquisition and staying agile
- Looking to managers as the canary in the coal mine
- Getting the team to leverage dashboards/metrics
- Anchor points to review the relevancy of metrics
Meet: Daniel Hood is the Director of Engineering at Action Network, a sports media company focused on delivering data, news, and analytics to fans and sports bettors. Over the past decade, he has worked as both a developer and a manager to build and design engaging digital media products at scale. Daniel graduated from the University of North Carolina with a degree in computer science.
If you have any questions for Daniel, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-h-9aa77634/
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
Key takeaways:
- Balancing innovation with what is needed
- Managing stakeholder expectations and “excitement”
- Technology and business stakeholder partnership is key to success
Meet: Rashu Garg is the SVP and Enterprise Head of Data Products at Regions Bank.
If you have any questions for Rashu, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rashu-garg-93249812/
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
Key takeaways:
- Focusing on solving the right problem, not the most difficult
- Define the “north” star
- Seeing the most impactful project
- Positioning the need to deal with the “plumbing” before you seeing the reporting
Meet: Mike Ganz is a leader in the data space, currently serving as Senior Director of Data & Analytics at Optoro. There he focuses his time on differentiating Optoro's products through data and ensuring that the most difficult returns problems retailers and the environment face today are met with dynamic and robust data solutions.
Prior to joining Optoro, Mike worked as an Engagement Manager at Applied Predictive Technologies, which was later acquired by Mastercard. In that role he helped Fortune 500 companies across a variety of industries design, implement, and measure the impact of business experiments.
Mike holds a BSE in Systems Science & Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania.
If you have any questions for Mike, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-ganz-23989955/
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
Key takeaways:
- Never a perfect process, but the right process for the stage you are at
- Making an investment into a more efficient process
- The time horizon gest longer as you grow and mature
Meet: Thor Clark is a senior technology executive with broad experience building and leading engineering and product teams in public and private companies and has multiple successful exits as technical co-founder and early employee. In addition to being the CTO at WELL, he also serves as an advisor at Burner (Ad Hoc Labs). Before joining WELL, he was CTO at TigerText, a comprehensive clinical communications solution, and previously VP of Engineering at Barracuda.
If you have any questions for Thor, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/thorclark
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
Key takeaways:
- Don’t be too technology-focused without identifying the customer value it should provide
- The “connecting tissue” isn’t always obvious
- Conversations around the “art of the possible”
Meet: Kishore Aradhya is currently the Head of Data Engineering, AI & Data at Bose.
If you have any questions for Kishore, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/karadhya/
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
Key takeaways:
- Team behavior and measuring impact
- Looking at a 3 sprint rolling average to gauge velocity
- Keeping the workplace fun by focusing on skill mastery and being given autonomy
- Modeling behavior on core values
- You want people to be truthful and speak up
Meet: Mark DiAntonio is Vice President of Engineering at HqO, overseeing engineering operations and accelerating the development and delivery of innovative products. With twenty years of engineering expertise, he has a proven track record of building and leading successful engineering teams with a focus on innovation, agile processes, and great teamwork.
Prior to HqO, Mark held senior-level positions at Promoboxx, DraftKings Inc., Warner Brothers Games, and Arthur J. Gallagher. During his time at DraftKings, Inc., Mark served as the Director of Engineering for Fantasy Sports, and then as VP, Head of Product, Media. In these roles, Mark successfully led his team through a period of extreme growth while also evolving their process to changing compliance and regulatory landscape.
During his time at WB Games, Mark has been credited on game titles in the Warner Brothers Games digital platform group including Batman Arkham City, Gotham City Impostors, Mortal Kombat, Injustice, Shadows of Mordor, Cartoon Universe, Lord of the Rings Online, D&D online, and Infinite Crisis.
If you have any questions for Mark, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-diantonio-578687a/
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
Key takeaways:
- Look at a job’s deliverables to find the right hire
- The new data analyst needs to understanding core CS concepts
- Don’t let the process define the hire
If you have any questions for Andy, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/awowens/
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
Key takeaways:
- Good data pipeline, “bad data” problem
- Investing in data observability - it will cost you one way or the other
- Being proactive vs reactive
- Data engineering and data product manager would be best to own observability
Meet: Barr Moses is CEO & Co-Founder of Monte Carlo, a data reliability company backed by Accel, GGV, Redpoint, and other top Silicon Valley investors. Previously, she was VP Customer Operations at Gainsight, a management consultant at Bain & Company, and served in the Israeli Air Force as a commander of an intelligence data analyst unit. Barr graduated from Stanford with a B.Sc. in Mathematical and Computational Science.
If you have any questions for Barr, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrmoses/
https://twitter.com/BM_DataDowntime
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
Key takeaways:
- Ramifications of waiting to implement security
- Consider alignment before jumping to tools
- Look within your current team to see if skills are currently covered
- Tradeoffs of allocating resources to build tools vs buying
Meet: Johnathan Hunt is the VP of Security for GitLab, an open-source code repository and collaborative software development platform for large DevOps and DevSecOps projects. He has been in the InfoSec and cybersecurity space for more than 20 years, and he has worked across several verticals including SaaS, financial, telecommunications, healthcare, government, and more.
Johnathan is particularly passionate about bug bounty, supply chain security, and DevSecOps. He has conducted many conference keynotes, podcasts, interviews, and blog series on these topics. He holds numerous security certifications, has a master’s degree in information systems, and is currently pursuing a second master’s degree at Harvard University.
If you have any questions for Johnathan, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnathanhunt/
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
Key takeaways:
- Build vs buy in the security industry
- Focusing on speed to get value out of tooling
- Avoiding tools that tie you into a rigid structure
- Carrying over Anwar’s software engineering background to security
Meet: Anwar Reddick is a 15+ year computing technology veteran. He started his career in software engineering and computer science research and quickly pivoted into information security. He has security experience doing applied research and development, defending business technology assets, supporting business development, and leading compliance programs. After working in multiple verticals, contexts, and tech stacks, he has found a niche managing security teams and programs for cloud-native SMB technology product firms. He holds BS Computer Science and MS Information Security degrees from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
If you have any questions for Anwar, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/anwarreddick
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
Key takeaways:
- Aligning the security roadmap to business objectives
- Preparing for the initial requirements assessment
- Making sure you understand what is important to the business and not just 1-2 people
- Assessing internal capabilities
- Iterating and collaborating on the roadmap
- Coming into the job with a blank slate view
Meet: Noah Beddome is the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Opendoor, the leading digital real estate platform, where he is responsible for protecting the data and technology infrastructure as well as overseeing Opendoor’s information security program and IT. Noah has more than a decade of experience working in information security in enterprise and government environments. Most recently, he served as VP of Security Engineering and interim CISO for Datadog. Prior to that, Noah worked as the Practice Director for Strategic Infrastructure Services (SIS) at NCC Group, where he built and led the SIS practice. Noah began his career in security consulting, conducting assessments and penetration testing for several firms. He also served as a non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Marine Corps for four years.
If you have any questions for Noah, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/noah-beddome-6b794940/
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
Key takeaways:
- Building and improving data quality through more testing
- Dividing work among geographically remote teams
- Quality decline as a symptom of team burnout
- Honing in on understanding the team's emotional and mental health
Meet: Josh Scherbenski is the VP of Data at Zeus Living, where he leads the analytics, machine learning, data engineering, and pricing teams. His teams are located here in the US and remotely in Singapore. He has more than a decade of experience working in the data science and engineering fields where he’s developed multiple data architectures and machine learning data products from end-to-end. Prior to Zeus, Josh worked for NASA as a program manager and space systems engineer. After leaving NASA, he went on to work for Google and a couple of other startups, including Glassdoor, where he was the company’s first data scientist. He has an MBA and a Master’s of Engineering in Space Systems.
If you have any questions for Josh, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshscherbenski/
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
Key takeaways:
- Importance of having context around the greater pieces of what the business is doing
- Staying engaged in the business vision post-onboarding
- The 1-on-1 is the employees time
- Transparency helps employees stay aligned to the company vision
Meet: Jason Wilcox is head of technology for automotive services at Jerry. Jason leads teams using artificial intelligence and machine-learning-powered customer flows to develop software that makes managing vehicle financing and products easier.
Jason brings 20 years of expertise in software design, development, information security, data security, data analytics, and subject matter knowledge in fintech to Jerry. A proven people leader, Jason was most recently Chief Technology Officer at RefiJet, where he led software development, information technology, and analytics teams. He’s also held leadership roles at LCS Financial Services, LenderLive, and Chess.
Jason holds bachelor’s degrees in biomedical engineering and physiological sciences from Marquette University. A lifelong learner, he also holds a master’s degree in strategic and competitive intelligence from the American Military University, a master’s degree in predictive analytics from Northwestern University, and a master’s degree in business administration from the Quantic School of Business and Technology.
If you have any questions for Jason, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilcoxjasone/
https://twitter.com/jwilcoxdata
https://amioraretheotherscrazy.substack.com/
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
Key takeaways:
- Bringing modern tech thinking to a legacy company
- Moving away from a FAANG to a non-tech company
- Ability to move the needle
- Building agile pods aligned to company objectives
- Adjusting compensation and hiring strategies
Meet: Brian Pivar is the Senior Director of Data and Analytics at Kraft Heinz. He has been at Kraft Heinz for over 2.5 years and is responsible for building out the data science, and business intelligence engineering teams from the ground up. Previous to Kraft Heinz, he led the data and analytics org at Amazon Restaurants (think food delivery for Amazon...like a Door Dash or Uber Eats). Previous to that he spent about 3 years at Uber in various strategy, analytics, and leadership roles. Brian Graduated from Purdue with a degree in finance and a minor in computer science.
If you have any questions for Brian, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/pivar/
https://twitter.com/pivar
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
Top takeaways:
- Challenges around scaling data engineering teams
- Pros and cons of keeping job descriptions vague
- Waiting to make the “right” hire?
- Focusing on retention and career progression
Meet: Liran Eisenberg is a forward-thinking Data Architect with 20 years of technical management experience guiding the development and design of enterprise database platforms for global organizations. Working both as a consultant and employee, oversee implementation of data architecture projects and platform solutions within highly regulated high-tech, financial, military, and health care sectors ranging from startups to large corporate enterprises.
If you have any questions for Liran, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/liraneisenberg/
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
What you’ll learn:
- What to think about when you are looking to scale your engineering team
- Healthy tech debt to support fast growth
- 3 categories of tech debt
- Team design and growth ladders
Meet: Anil Beniwal is the Head of Engineering at Arcadia, an organization with the goal of accelerating the world's adoption of renewable energy. He was previously VP of Engineering at Betterment, an automated money management solution, and had spent the majority of his career in fintech. Anil cares a great deal about providing a safe and productive environment for engineers to do their best work and to drive the business forward.
If you have any questions for Anil, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/abeniwal/
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
What you’ll learn:
- 1-way vs 2-way doors
- Making a transition from a FAANG to a startup
- A good process should solve an acute problem
Meet: Anthony Girolamo leads the product and engineering organization at FLEXE. His teams are responsible for the development of the FLEXE Technology Platform and the capabilities that set FLEXE apart. Prior to joining FLEXE, Anthony spent 9 years at Amazon as a senior technical leader of Amazon Fulfillment Technologies and Supply Chain Optimization Technologies. He also held senior software engineering positions at Microsoft and received both his BSE and MSE in Computer Science at the University of Michigan.
If you have any questions for Anthony, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-girolamo-b3b21b2/
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
What you’ll learn:
- Very important to define stretch goals
- Leveraging eNPS - employee net promoter score
- Using employee net promoter score within your agile process
- Constantly tweaking and improving the methodology
- Getting to Teal! (Laloux Cultural Model)
Meet: Nate Loomis is a Director of Cloud Engineering at Ally Financial and Product Manager of the Cloud Patterns (Patterneers) squad. At Ally, his squad is focused on patterns of automation that implement public cloud services and enhance the capabilities available to development teams from their workspace or the command line. He has been a developer, architect, and various levels of manager throughout his career, always searching for new challenges. His friends say he is now a #developer (commented out) but he still loves to tinker with new languages and tools. He loves to hear from others and hopes you find this episode useful.
What is Servant Leadership?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKk0AaaFqtU
Simon Sinek on Inspiration: https://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action
Laloux Cultural Model: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0Jc5aAJu9g
If you have any questions for Nate, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nloomis/
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
Top 3 takeaways:
- The looming retention problem - returning to the office
- Balancing team distribution via fewer time zones
- Adjusting salary bands to account for location and experience
Meet: Mike Brittain is the VP of Engineering at Transfix, where he leads technology initiatives to build a simpler, smarter, and more sustainable freight ecosystem. His career in Internet software dates back to the late ‘90s and includes over 15 years in team leadership and executive roles. Mike played a significant role in building the team and shaping culture at Etsy over a 7-year period spanning pre and post-IPO phases. He lives with his wife and four kids in the Greater New York area.
If you have any questions for Mike, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikebrittain
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
What you’ll learn:
- Decisions as a bridge between ideation and execution
- RACI decision-making
- Decisions can’t be made absent of context; Provide as much context as possible
Meet: Dan Simon is currently the VP of Engineering at Qventus, a health care operations company. In his capacity there he manages all aspects of engineering execution and operations, from application development to data science. Prior to Qventus Dan held leadership roles in several startups across 8 different industries, including real estate software, security, social gaming, live event ticketing, and video platform. He holds a bachelor’s in computer science and a bachelor’s in applied math from UC Davis.
If you have any questions for Dan, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/simondan/
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
What you’ll learn:
-
Adjusting to the differences in structure between private industry and the military
-
Valuing the importance of resource allocation
-
Dealing with the difference between training and education
-
When taking your first post-military role try to understand the importance of geography, industry, and function
-
Transitioning your network from the military to the private industry
-
Leveraging your “one last move”
-
Discovering the hidden talent in the military
Meet: Chris Ieva is a retired Marine Corps Infantry Officer who now heads up Data Science for Anheuser-Busch.
If you have any questions for Chris, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisieva
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
What you’ll learn:
How to grow an agile data and analytics team
Solving data discovery challenges to speed up productivity
Agility vs velocity
Providing data capabilities to more users
Meet: Romit Jadhwani is the Head of Growth Analytics, Data Science, and Business Intelligence at Pinterest. Before Pinterest, he led the Ads Business Intelligence team at Google. Romit is passionate about helping companies grow and scale and is always looking for ideas and techniques to drive innovation and agility with analytics and data. He loves solving problems, whether it is helping a $1B+ company continue with its hyper-growth trajectory or teaching his young kids why it is important to eat all their vegetables.
If you have any questions for Romit, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/romitjadhwani/
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
What you’ll learn:
Challenges in getting deep expertise in many areas
Moving from a project focus to deeper subject matter expertise
Moving towards intent-based leadership
To learn more about Intent-Based Leadership - https://davidmarquet.com/
Meet: Brian Berger has served in a variety of Engineering and Operations leadership positions in IaaS and SaaS companies for 20+ years. He works with organizations to improve delivery velocity and increase service reliability within and between Software Development and Operations organizations.
He currently serves as Ping Identity’s Senior Director of Infrastructure Operations. His teams are accountable for infrastructure services, reliability, and delivery pipelines for Ping’s Global SaaS Identity Management solutions serving over 60% of the Fortune 100.
Prior to joining Ping Brian was Sr. Director of Engineering at Wellsky where he led Software Development, Quality Assurance, and SRE programs for their Home Health, Hospice, and Private Duty Agency management SaaS offerings.
If you have any questions for Brian, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianberger/
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
What you can take away from this episode:
- Connecting consumer experiences to the product
- Using alternative data-rich sources of information to increase understanding
- Considering indirect factors in consumer behavior
- Future technologies to capture additional consumer data points
Meet: Chris Ieva is a retired Marine Corps Infantry Officer who now heads up Data Science for Anheuser-Busch.
If you have any questions for Chris, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisieva
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
What we cover:
Improving asynchronous communication
Understanding where decisions are being made
Establishing repeatable actions and rituals
Leadership is about availability
Part of the job of the leader is to tell the story and celebrate the team
Meet: Mitch Trale is Head of Infrastructure at HackerOne -- the world's leading crowdsourced security platform. He is responsible for HackerOne's highly available, performant, and secure web application architecture. A hacker and startup technologist, Mitch has been building engineering teams and digital products for 20 years.
If you have any questions for Mitch, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchtrale/
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
What you’ll learn:
Growing and building your security capabilities
Prioritizing the first cybersecurity hire
Security tools and automation rather than shifting left
Building relationships with security startups to expand capabilities
Meet: Jonathan Jaffe, Lemonade Insurance's CISO. Jonathan's been practicing security since 1997. He has designed and installed the earliest internet-centric access control systems for airlines, banks, manufacturers, and tech companies. He has designed identity and access management systems for more than 45 companies since 1999.
Jonathan is also a privacy attorney, taking a mid-career tangential detour to develop and prosecute the largest US privacy class action at the time against Facebook, protecting the privacy rights of billions of people and leading to the closure of Facebook's Sponsored Stories. Jonathan is a founding member of Silicon Valley CISO Investments, a group dedicated to advancing better security products for the benefit of all. Jonathan assists security start-ups by advising them on market fit and helping them improve their products. You can reach him at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanjaffe/
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
What you’ll learn:
Building resiliency into systems
Failing and non-failing validations
If failure happens, what’s the fallback plan?
Creating SLAs with upstream teams
Meet: Teresa Martyny is the Engineering Manager for the Data OS Infrastructure team at New Relic, an observability platform built to help engineers create more perfect software.
If you have any questions for Teresa, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/teresamartyny/
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
What you’ll learn:
The extensibility of the Salesforce platform
Growth and evolution of the platform
Pushing Salesforce to do something that it shouldn’t
Dealing with technical debt
Meet:
Hyung Lee started his career in finance software and really took a more focused route during his tenure at Salesforce. From there he had the fortune to work at some noteworthy technology companies. He has a passion for solving problems with technology, people and process and over the course of his career have grown to be a "people first" technology leader.
Chi Ho is a platform-as-a-service champion with 13+ of years building applications on Salesforce. He is currently leading multiple teams in enterprise digital transformation for over 20,000 users with an emphasis on bringing intuitive design and consumer-like features into the workplace.
If you have any questions for Hyung or Chi, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chiwho/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/hyungslee/
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
What you’ll learn:
Building trust and transparency in the team
Adjusting the structure of the 1-1 meeting for Zooms
Replicating the ideation process while remote
Meet: Zak Allen is the VP of Engineering at Shogun. Shogun, backed by 8VC and Founders Fund, empowers home improvement contractors with software products to help them manage their businesses such as Financing, Payments, and other tools. Zak was one of the first employees at Shogun and has seen it grow to over 100 people, serving over 10,000 contractors across the US. Prior to Shogun, Zak was the first employee at FlyHomes, a real estate tech startup backed by Andreessen Horowitz, which has similarly grown now to over 250 employees.
If you have any questions for Zak, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zakallen
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
What you’ll learn:
The power of being underestimated
Being one of few females as an IT Director in the Massachusetts technology public sector
Early exposure to technology had a very positive impact
From liberal arts degree to leader in Infrastructure
Get ahead by finding the work that nobody wants to do. Doing it. And doing it well.
Meet: Kendra Rozett McCormick is Manager of Infrastructure Engineering at HealthEdge, provider of the industry’s leading mission-critical claims processing, care management, and payment integrity technology assets for payers. Kendra has a unique background combining a liberal arts education with proven technology leadership, first in the public/local government sector for 11 years, and now in the Healthcare software space, with a passion for leadership and promotion of women in technology.
If you have any questions for Kendra, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kmccormick916/
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
What you’ll learn:
The widening scope of IT Service Management
Does ITSM need their own Service Management Officer?
ITSM buy-in and the why behind it
Meet: Carlis Ragland - Assistant VP Configuration Manager at Valley Bank - has over 25 years of IT experience, and 10 years of IT Information Library (ITIL) experience using IT Service Management (ITSM) platforms such as ServiceNow.
He was formally the Configuration Management Leader for Becton Dickinson, ITSM Solution architect for Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC), and ITSM System Integrator/Service Manager and Architect for CompuCom Inc. on the Public Service Electric & Gas (PSEG) of New Jersey account for over 10 years. In addition, he is a retired Air Force Reserve Officer with 33 years of military experience. Carlis holds a Master of Science Degree in Information Technology with a Business Intelligence specialization from Kaplan University. He is an Adjunct Professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University teaching Data Communications and Computer Networking courses.
His hands-on and leadership experience with configuration management databases, data integration, automation, process, and workflow management have shrunk timelines, matured processes, provided financial transparency to reduced cost, and reduced the number of unplanned IT outages.
If you have any questions for Carlis, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlisragland/
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
What you’ll learn:
Finding the right skill set mix in growing your analytics team
Interviewing tip: Trying to understand how a candidate’s problem-solving skills when there isn’t a clear cut outcome
Modern analytics driving further advanced skills
Meet: Krishna is a quantitative strategic leader with a focus on finding solutions to business problems through the use of big-data behavioral analytics and qualitative data. He places an emphasis on working directly and through his team with key stakeholders to translate both small and large data sets into actionable business solutions.
With a primary focus on developing and scaling nascent ideas, Krishna brings a pragmatic but rigorous empirical philosophy to decision making and team leadership. Using his background in big-data analytics, data strategy, marketing, operations, finance, consulting, and psychology, he has applied novel and effective solutions to challenging business problems across a variety of industries, clients, and circumstances. Most recently, he has been focused on scaling the distribution side of the insurance marketplace at EverQuote.
If you have any questions for Krishna, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/krishna-ramaswamy-analytics/
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
What you’ll learn:
Proactive vs reactive problem management
Managing the multiple touchpoints involved in a service incident
Balancing needs vs the squeaky wheel
Meet: Kevin Recio is an Information Technology professional with 6+ years of experience across multiple companies and industries. His IT experience includes enterprise platform implementations, management of IT service operations roles, and development of SDLC processes. He is familiar with ITIL, IT Service Management, and ServiceNow.
If you have any questions for Kevin, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-recio-59a04621/
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
What you’ll learn:
Work fast and iterate very quickly
Try to think with a clear mind - communicate through writing over talking
Shorten time to ideation
Happiness of the customer as a measure of product quality
Meet: David Ting, Vice President of Nylas, has over 20 years of leadership experience in mobile development, scalable architecture, cloud infrastructure, big data, and machine learning. At Nylas, he is currently running the Engineer, Product, and Support teams to power the productivity layer of the software stack. David has served as the Head of Online Production for Blizzard Entertainment, the General Manager of IGN Entertainment, and the General Manager of NetEase North America. David holds 6 patents and has received 2 IBM Outstanding Achievement Awards and the AltaVista Employee of the Year Award.
If you have any questions for David, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dting
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
What you’ll learn:
Upskilling the data analyst role
Medical knowledge is doubling every 73 days; pushing the technical envelope to cope with the increase
Organizational maturity will drive the analytics hiring needs
Meet: Nana Somuah the Director for Data Analytics at Cityblock, responsible for Data Strategy and managing a team of data analysts. My main goal within the company is to improve our member health outcomes by utilizing the power of Data and Analytics.
If you have any questions for Nana, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nana-somuah-73a34417/
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
What you’ll learn:
Deeper partnership between platform and security engineering teams
Security by design
Focusing on a handful of problems that really matter
Meet: Aidan Anderson is a Security Engineering Manager at FloQast, where he is focused on building a best-in-class security program that delivers resilience, confidence, and trust in the solution. Aidan has had the privilege of helping scale technology, people, and processes at FloQast, helping grow the organization from a seed round startup to a Series C company. Aidan has a passion for lean product development, risk management, and security through automation and software development practices and has over 14 years of experience in Information Technology.
If you have any questions for Aidan, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/aidan-anderson-06b4b17b/
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
What you’ll learn:
Delivering analytics in a hypergrowth industry
Simplifying and pinpointing the direct analytic needs
Meet: Martin Corso is the Director of Measurement and Analytics for Surfside, a data-driven customer acquisition platform that specializes in activating and expanding 1st party data for marketing, insights, and measurement. Martin has diverse experience utilizing digital and offline datasets to build SaaS/DaaS products for hyper-growth tech startups.
If you have any questions for Martin, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinjcorso/
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
What you’ll learn:
Team health as a good barometer for team velocity
Tech debt is inevitable; keeping it at a sustainable rate
Balancing team size
Meet: Scott Persinger is the VP Engineering at Tatari. He previously managed alternative payments at Stripe and was Director of Platform Services at Heroku. Scott was a co-founder at Cloudconnect (acquired by Salesforce), and a co-founder at Remixation (acquired by Vevo).
If you have any questions for Scott, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottpersinger/
https://twitter.com/persingerscott
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
What you’ll learn:
Reasons why you should hire a data product manager
Data product manager roadmaps are typically longer
Being data-informed rather than being data-driven
Meet: Murali Bhogavalli has a proven track record of building data products that span the entire spectrum from raw data to self-serve analytics tools. Currently, he is a Group Product Manager at Tinder, leading, directing, and managing data and platform strategy, ensuring data and platform solutions are coordinated, integrated, and perform to the highest standards. Prior to Tinder, Murali worked at two startups building data products and got his roots in data/information management at Deloitte Consulting at the start of his career
If you have any questions for Murali, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/muralidharbhogavalli/
https://twitter.com/mbhoga
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
What you’ll learn:
Benefits of incorporating security earlier in the process
Balancing between business and security goals
Avoid looking for the “unicorn” hires
Meet: Eiwe Lingefors leads Director of Engineering, Cybersecurity & Platform at Teachable, an edtech company that enables independent professionals to turn experience and know-how into thriving businesses.
If you have any questions for Eiwe, please feel free to reach out via:
https://twitter.com/alienswede
https://www.linkedin.com/in/eiwelingefors/
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
What you’ll learn:
Leading with empathy in managing your team
Making sure to allocate time to prioritize learning
Meet: Nathan Wan is the Director of Machine Learning Platform at Freenome where he leads a team of researchers and engineers building a blood test to detect early-stage cancer. He believes that technology is most powerful when applied to the hardest problems we face not just as individuals, but as a society. Prior to Freenome, he led teams at Google for the Speech Recognition and Shopping Express projects. Nathan holds BS degrees in Computer Science and Electrical and Computer Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University.
If you have any questions for Nathan, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nwan1
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
What you’ll learn:
Moving from a non-traditional degree program into data and machine learning
Stubbornness as a superpower (sticking to a problem is key)
Improving the hiring process by understanding the limitations of using a data-driven hiring process
Meet: George London is the Director of Engineering at Survata and the Co-Organizer of the San Francisco PyData Meetup Group. He has over a decade of experience as an entrepreneur, engineer, and manager working to help businesses use data to make better decisions.
If you have any questions for George, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgelondon/
https://twitter.com/rogueleaderr
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
What you’ll learn:
Looking at the number of merges to evaluate team velocity
Reducing wait times during code reviews
Software is getting cheaper to make and faster to deliver
Meet: Ben Garvey heads up the team building the next generation of financial management software at Betterment for Advisors. Previously, he led world-class SAAS data engineering teams at RJMetrics, Magento Commerce, and Adobe. He holds a computer science degree from American University and likes charts, maybe a little too much.
If you have any questions for Ben, please feel free to reach out via Twitter:
https://twitter.com/bengarvey
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
What you’ll learn:
Using stand-downs to check-in at the end of the day
Clarifying expectations and establishing a clear technical ladder
Doubling down on creating communication channels within the team
Meet: Myles Guanzon is a servant engineering leader with a strong passion for data-driven, lean product development, Myles comes from a non-traditional engineering background. His career started in DevOps with server management and progressed by learning web development and co-founding a design agency to develop web applications for clients, including NASA. Today as the VP of Engineering at Omada Health, Myles leads the B2C teams that are responsible for engaging its members into lifelong health.
If you have any questions for Myles, please feel free to reach out via LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/myles-guanzon-9ab50020/
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
What you’ll learn:
Focusing on predictability rather than velocity
How the code base’s complexity can affect estimation
Balancing the effect of technology change on the team
David references the following book:
Nicole Forsgren’s book: Accelerate
Meet: David Kaplan is the head of engineering at Policygenius, the nation’s leading online insurance marketplace. David has been an engineering leader for over a decade as a VP of Engineering at Yodle (Acquired by Web.com), a Senior Manager at Bloomberg L.P., and the co-founder of Helioscene, which was a SaaS startup in the video production space.
If you have any questions for David, please feel free to reach out via LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/davebkaplan/
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
What you’ll learn:
Inversion of talent vs seniority
Hiring is not all about the hard skills
Focusing on employees motivations for the long term benefit to the company
Meet: David Relyea received a Ph.D. in physics from Princeton in 2003. He has worked in the defense sector, ad tech, fintech, and cybersecurity, largely in the areas of machine learning and optimization. He is currently Director of Data Science at BlackBerry.
If you have any questions for David, please feel free to reach out via LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-relyea-44120557/
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
What you’ll learn:
Growing security awareness and maturity
Starting with a security framework in mind
Cybersecurity is an accessible field (moving past the myth)
Meet: Ryan Weeks - As Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), Ryan is responsible for directing and managing Datto's Information Security program. Ryan spent 11 years securing enterprise applications, systems, and sensitive customer financial data at FactSet Research Systems, where he orchestrated all facets of the global information security program. Ryan holds a B.S. in Computer Information Systems from Ithaca College, an M.S. in Information Assurance from Northeastern University, and has industry security certifications including the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and the Certified Information Security Manager (CISM).
If you have any questions for Ryan, please feel free to reach out via LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanweeks/
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
What you’ll learn:
Challenges in moving to CI/CD
What is continuous testing?
The new skills required for people in testing
Meet: Liliya Frye is a Technology Leader and a Manager of Quality Assurance Engineering with over 20 years of experience in IT. She is very enthusiastic about digital product quality, security, cloud computing, and leadership. She is naturally curious and loves the continuous process of learning, as well as sharing her knowledge with others. She is a Leader of OWASP (Open Web Application Security Project) San Fernando Valley Chapter and a part of the planning committee of AppSec California security conferences.
Liliya authored the following articles:
-
Leaders who deliver vs. Leaders who destroy
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How to Get Hired: Encoded Secrets of Hiring Managers
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Focusing on Customers in Agile SDLC with 80/20 Rule
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CI/CD/CT - Shift-Left and Shift-Right with Automated Continuous Testing
If you have any questions for Liliya, please feel free to reach out via LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/liliyafrye/
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
What you’ll learn:
Being curious, staying curious
Servant leadership style
Pushing for opportunities to grow
Meet: I am an experienced technologist with over 10 years of experience in the Internet industry. I've worked with companies that build and distribute web applications internally within an organization as well as externally to users around the world. I've seen the industry grow and advance greatly over the past decade and the technical knowledge I've gathered, helps me to be successful at building any web application of any scale. I am also a very experienced people manager who has coached many engineers and helped them to grow both their technical skills as well as their leadership traits to elevate their careers to the next level.
If you have any questions for Andy, please feel free to reach out via LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andylu821/
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
What you’ll learn:
Evaluating where data science and machine learning can be applied
Complimenting human decision making with algorithms
Being aware of impacting existing processes
Meet: George Bezerra is a strategic data executive with expertise in Machine Learning and Data Science. Currently VP of Data Science at Frontdoor, he was previously the head of data science at car insurance startup Metromile and spent five years at TripAdvisor where he was Senior Director of Data Science and Analytics. Like many data scientists, George has an academic background, including a Post-doctorate at MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory and a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of New Mexico.
If you have any questions for George, please feel free to reach out via:
www.linkedin.com/in/george-bezerra
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
What you’ll learn:
Modernizing a legacy data infrastructure and culture
Pushing people out of their comfort zone
Quick wins while building the long term foundation
Meet: George Bezerra is a strategic data executive with expertise in Machine Learning and Data Science. Currently VP of Data Science at Frontdoor, he was previously the head of data science at car insurance startup Metromile and spent five years at TripAdvisor where he was Senior Director of Data Science and Analytics. Like many data scientists, George has an academic background, including a Post-doctorate at MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory and a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of New Mexico.
If you have any questions for George, please feel free to reach out via:
www.linkedin.com/in/george-bezerra
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
What you’ll learn:
Security professionals and mental health
Accepting that there are inherent limitations in security
If you burn yourself out you are doing more harm to the business than you think
Simulate how you would handle a security breach
Meet: Ian Amit is the CSO at Cimpress. Ian is an executive manager in the security and software industry with vast experience in multiple fields - from enterprise security, through retail, to end-user software and large back-end systems. Highly experienced in leading marketing opportunities, and translating technical innovation into marketable concepts that increase sales and exposure.
He is an Information Security expert with vast experience ranging from low-level technical expertise and up to corporate security policy, regulatory compliance, and strategy.
Ian keynote speaker, with vast experience in public speaking and private customer-focused seminars (Conferences featuring BlackHat, DEFCON, RSA, BSides, BlueHat, ZonCon, Source, and many more).
He is also a founding member of the PTES (Penetration Testing Execution Standard), IL-CERT, and the Tel-Aviv DEFCON group (DC9723).
If you have any questions for Ian, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamit/
https://www.iamit.org/
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
What you’ll learn:
Setting up an internal MSSP (managed security service provider)
Establishing a baseline of security (using the NIST Cybersecurity Framework)
Using the M&A process to get a headstart on security
Meet: Ian Amit is the CSO at Cimpress. Ian is an executive manager in the security and software industry with vast experience in multiple fields - from enterprise security, through retail, to end-user software and large back-end systems. Highly experienced in leading marketing opportunities, and translating technical innovation into marketable concepts that increase sales and exposure.
He is an Information Security expert with vast experience ranging from low-level technical expertise and up to corporate security policy, regulatory compliance, and strategy.
Ian keynote speaker, with vast experience in public speaking and private customer-focused seminars (Conferences featuring BlackHat, DEFCON, RSA, BSides, BlueHat, ZonCon, Source, and many more).
He is also a founding member of the PTES (Penetration Testing Execution Standard), IL-CERT, and the Tel-Aviv DEFCON group (DC9723).
If you have any questions for Ian, please feel free to reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamit/
https://www.iamit.org/
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
What you’ll learn:
Managing the complexities of the modern data platform
Balancing between hiring for the right data skill
Breaking out roles by areas of specialization
Meet:
Peter Fishman is the co-founder and CEO of Mozart Data (YCS20), the easiest way to spin up a modern data stack. Previously, he was the Chief Strategy Officer at Eaze, a cannabis technology platform. He has also worked at fast-growing startups including Opendoor, Zenefits, Yammer/Microsoft, Playdom/Disney. He also has been involved with sports analytics at the Philadelphia Eagles and has run a hot sauce company, Bacon Hot Sauce. He holds a B.S. from Duke University and a Ph.D. in economics from UC Berkeley.
If you have any questions for Fish, please feel free to reach out via LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/petefishman/
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
What you’ll learn:
- Security shifting left
- Taking security from afterthought to active participant
- Keeping up with the pace of change in security
Meet: Cassio Goldschmidt is regarded as an internationally recognized, award-winning security expert. With more than 20 years of experience, Mr. Goldschmidt has a remarkable record of industry accolades and honors.
They include:
- Winner of the 2019 (ISC)² Information Security Leadership Award for all Americas
- Nominee for the 2019 TEN Information Security Executive Award for North America
- Winner of the 2020 TEN Information Security Executive Best Project Award for the West Coast region
- Winner of the 2011 (ISC)² Cybersecurity Community Services Star Award for all Americas
- Finalist of the 2011 (ISC)² Americas Information Security Leadership (ISLA) Awards 2011 in the Information Security Practitioner category
- Nominee for the 2012 OWASP Web Application Security Person of the Year (WASPY) Awards
Other honors include being:
- Publicly thanked by Brazil’s Superior Electoral Court (TSE) for finding security weaknesses and providing significant recommendations to improve the security of the electronic voting systems used in the country’s presidential election
- A member of Forbes Technology Council and contributor of Forbes.com
- The founding member of OWASP Los Angeles Chapter, which was elected the best OWASP chapter in the world in 2013
- A co-founder of OWASP AppSec Cali conference
- A speaker at many of the most respected international security conferences, including RSA, Black Hat, ISSA, CIO Event, ACSAC, (ISC)² Security Congress, FS-ISAC, Better Software, NULLCon, and Global OWASP AppSec in countries such as Brazil, China, India, Poland, Sweden, and the United States
- The single inventor of three U.S. patents and the co-inventor of the fourth U.S. patent
Cassio holds a bachelor degree in computer science (BS in CS) from Pontificia Universidade Catolica do Rio Grande Do Sul (PUC-RS), a masters degree in software engineering (MS in SE) from Santa Clara University (SCU), and a master of business administration (MBA) from the University of Southern California (USC).
If you have any questions for Cassio, please feel free to reach out via LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassiogoldschmidt/
I hope you enjoyed the episode, the best place to connect with me is on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand). Please send me a message if you would like me to cover certain topics with future guests.
Meet: Cassio Goldschmidt is regarded as an internationally recognized, award-winning security expert. With more than 20 years of experience, Mr. Goldschmidt has a remarkable record of industry accolades and honors.
They include:
- Winner of the 2019 (ISC)² Information Security Leadership Award for all Americas
- Nominee for the 2019 TEN Information Security Executive Award for North America
- Winner of the 2020 TEN Information Security Executive Best Project Award for the West Coast region
- Winner of the 2011 (ISC)² Cybersecurity Community Services Star Award for all Americas
- Finalist of the 2011 (ISC)² Americas Information Security Leadership (ISLA) Awards 2011 in the Information Security Practitioner category
- Nominee for the 2012 OWASP Web Application Security Person of the Year (WASPY) Awards
Other honors include being:
- Publicly thanked by Brazil’s Superior Electoral Court (TSE) for finding security weaknesses and providing significant recommendations to improve the security of the electronic voting systems used in the country’s presidential election
- A member of Forbes Technology Council and contributor of Forbes.com
- The founding member of OWASP Los Angeles Chapter, which was elected the best OWASP chapter in the world in 2013
- A co-founder of OWASP AppSec Cali conference
- A speaker at many of the most respected international security conferences, including RSA, Black Hat, ISSA, CIO Event, ACSAC, (ISC)² Security Congress, FS-ISAC, Better Software, NULLCon, and Global OWASP AppSec in countries such as Brazil, China, India, Poland, Sweden, and the United States
- The single inventor of three U.S. patents and the co-inventor of the fourth U.S. patent
Cassio holds a bachelor degree in computer science (BS in CS) from Pontificia Universidade Catolica do Rio Grande Do Sul (PUC-RS), a masters degree in software engineering (MS in SE) from Santa Clara University (SCU), and a master of business administration (MBA) from the University of Southern California (USC).
What you’ll learn:
- Addressing the security challenges of shadow IT
- Hackers are looking for just one thing to get in
- The impact of the pandemic on the security roadmap
If you have any questions for Cassio, please feel free to reach out via LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassiogoldschmidt/
Meet: Michael Remyn is a product management executive who is passionate about creating intuitive user experiences within enterprise software. As a Director of Product Management at American Express, Michael has delivered products aimed to bring user efficiency and productivity to multiple instances of Salesforce, from complex transformations such as combining instances and overhauling the user interface to a variety of smaller products meant to improve sales and client management processes.
Michael has built high performing digital product teams while coaching and training others through the organization. He also has shown a continued focus on the digital experience by creating his own in-house user experience team to increase focus on user workflow and build the right solutions that solve user and stakeholder problems.
Michael also has experience with data analytics, corporate strategy, and financial management before moving full time into digital product management.
What you’ll learn:
Salesforce is not just an IT application
Managing user request change
Enterprises are becoming more customer-centric
With more data, we need more clarity
Data quality is a journey
If you have any questions for Michael, please feel free to reach out via LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-remyn-875145/
Meet: Mike Arbitman, Senior Director, Technology Organization Data and Analytics at Medidata, a technology leader skilled at defining, building, improving, and optimizing data-focused organizations delivering innovative and leading-edge solitons
What you’ll learn:
Modernization of master data management
Determining the system of record
The changing complexity of data projects
If you have any questions for Mike, please feel free to reach out via LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelarbitman/
Meet: Mark Shasha is the Head of Security at Braze. He is a career security professional specializing in enterprise application and infrastructure security.
What you’ll learn:
Working in an engineering org where the CTO still checks in code
Owning security processes
Looking for transferable skills in hiring DevOps and Security professionals.
If you have any questions for Mark, please feel free to reach out via LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/markshasha/
Meet: Chris Ham is the Engineering Operations Manager and Chief of Staff to the CTO at Novantas. He is responsible for DevOps, Cloud/on-prem implementation and integration, the interface between Engineering and Infrastructure, and Big-data infrastructure.
Chris’s career path has focused on blending leadership and deep technical expertise. His CV includes:
-Continued service, including a deployment, as an officer in the US Navy Reserve
-A background in corporate Tech Ops finance
-Work as a quant in the bank treasury/risk space
What you’ll learn:
Leveraging his military management experience
Partnering with DevOps and the strategic technology roadmap
Transitioning from the military to the private sector
If you have any questions for Chris, please feel free to reach out via LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-l-ham/
Meet: Maria Latushkin is responsible for leading Omada Health’s technology vision and team.
Prior to joining Omada Health and moving to the healthcare space, Maria has spent over 15 years in eCommerce, retail, and enterprise SaaS companies ranging from series B startups to large companies, such as Walmart.
What you’ll learn:
Don’t hire for culture fit, make culturally additive hires
Hiring people for the right context for your environment or stage of growth
Signals that you might need to add process to your org
Adjusting style and process in supporting a fully distributed engineering org
If you have any questions for Maria, please feel free to reach out via LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-latushkin-799700/
Meet: Greg Miaskiewicz, CEO & Co-Founder at Capbase, a startup building legal & financial tools for startups. Previously, CEO & Co-Founder of Swarm, a bot detection startup, which exited to Integral Ad Science in 2016. Greg has over a decade of experience working at early-stage Silicon Valley startups in product, engineering, and design roles.
What you’ll learn (disclaimer - this is not legal advice):
Avoiding pitfalls in forming your startup’s legal entity
Implications of incorrectly setting up your entity
What to look for in evaluating equity as apart of a job offer
If you would like to reach out to Greg about anything he discussed on the podcast, please reach out to him via:
https://twitter.com/miaskiewicz
https://www.instagram.com/miaskiewicz/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/miaskiewicz/
email: greg@capbase.com
Meet: Sanji Fernando is a senior vice president at Optum, where he leads the Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Analytics Platforms team for Optum Enterprise Analytics (OEA). He is responsible for developing platforms that support the design and development of leading-edge AI models and analytic tools for the enterprise.
Previously, Sanji was a vice president at OptumLabs and led the OptumLabs Center for Applied Data Science (CADS). The CADS team applied breakthroughs in AI and machine learning to solve complex health care challenges for UnitedHealth Group (UHG) by developing and deploying software product concepts. CADS pioneered using deep learning to streamline administrative processes in revenue cycle management and developed graph analytics tools to support provider network design, among other innovations.
Sanji joined OptumLabs in 2014 from Nokia, where he created Nokia’s first data science team. His team launched the first big data computing cluster at Nokia, using cluster derived insights on user activity and engagement to design new product concepts. Before that, Sanji spent 9 years at Nokia in a variety of corporate roles with Nokia’s Multimedia Division, Nokia Research Center, and Nokia Ventures.
Prior to Nokia, Sanji was a co-founder and VP of Engineering at Vettro, a venture-backed mobile software company. Sanji began his career in consulting with Viant and Accenture.
Sanji is a graduate of Trinity College with a bachelor’s degree in computer science. He lives in the Boston area with his wife and their three boys. In his free time, Sanji enjoys coaching his sons in basketball and baseball. He also serves on the board of his local Little League.
What you’ll learn:
Evaluating the value of AI solutions
Growth of AI in the healthcare space
Establishing short and long term goals
Sanji mentioned our annual survey on AI in health care and we recently shared the findings from our 3rd annual survey; we have both a press release and special report on that.
If you would like to reach out to Sanji about anything he discussed on the podcast, please reach out to him via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjifernando/
Meet: Marick S. Sinay, Ph.D. is Vice President Head of Data Science and Analytics for Aspiration. Dr. Sinay has been in the broader financial services industry in various quantitative financial modeling and data science roles. He has experience working at large financial institutions, Bank of America and Western Asset Management, as well as at FinTech startups in the Los Angeles area. Dr. Sinay has successfully hired and led teams of data scientists, data analysts, and data engineers to drive business intelligence and advanced predictive analytics using machine learning to solve enterprise initiatives. He has a Ph.D. in Statistics and Applied Probability, Masters in Statistics, and a Masters in Economics from the University of California Santa Barbara.
What you’ll learn:
Career advice - tips and advice for analyst and data scientists to grow
Building data teams - do’s and don’ts to building a successful diverse team
Meet: Ankur Goyal is the co-founder and CEO of Impira. previously built and scaled the engineering team at MemSQL as employee #2 and VP of Engineering. Ankur received his B.S. in Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon's School of Computer Science. He also holds several patents in database technology.
What you’ll learn:
Extracting more value out of documents
Helping companies automate their paper processes to digital
Getting an AI project into production and the related ROI
Talking about a new feature that allows someone to extract information from any doc through the UI
If you would like to reach out to Ankur about anything he discussed on the podcast, please reach out to him via:
https://twitter.com/ankrgyl?lang=en
https://twitter.com/impirahq
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ankrgyl/
Meet:
Ash Berlin-Taylor is an active committer and member of the PMC for Apache Airflow and Director of Airflow Engineering team at astronomer.io. Before getting involved with Airflow he spent many years working in (web) infrastructure
Kaxil Naik is currently the Committer, PMC Member, and Release Manager of Apache Airflow. He is also the Manager of Airflow Engineering team @ Astronomer. He did his Masters in Data Science & Analytics from Royal Holloway, University of London.
What you’ll learn:
Major features in the upcoming Airflow 2 release
Upgrade path and compatibility
What the team might be working on in future releases
Learn more about the upcoming release: https://www.astronomer.io/blog/introducing-airflow-2-0
If you would like to reach out to Ash or Kaxil about anything they discussed on the podcast, please reach out to them via:
https://twitter.com/kaxil
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaxil/
https://twitter.com/ashberlin
Meet: Mike Bennett, Director of Enterprise Digital Farming at Climate Corp - Bayer Crop Science. Responsible for Enterprise data governance and new business models.
What you’ll learn:
Mentoring vs coaching
Leadership through influence
Importance of messaging and tone
If you would like to reach out to Mike about anything he discussed on the podcast, please reach out to him via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelsbennett
https://twitter.com/MikeSBennett
Meet: Doug Puett is the Head of Data Science at UserTesting. UserTesting has the world’s greatest data source on how user research is done. Prior to joining UserTesting, Doug worked at a startup that was acquired by LinkedIn. He has an MS degree from Columbia and a Bachelor’s from Cornell.
What you’ll learn:
Getting the feedback cycle started early
Having a deep interest in product
Matrixed embedded data science teams
If you have any questions for Doug, please feel free to reach out to him via LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougpuett/
Meet: Marian manages the Experiments and Optimization team at Zymergen. She spent the last ten years building data science solutions for problems in remote sensing, epidemic modeling, weather science, ag-tech, and now in synthetic biology.
What you’ll learn:
Taking advantage of innovation
Relationships with science and product teams
Advice if you want to get into data science
If you would like to get in touch with Marian regarding anything discussed on this episode, please connect via:
https://twitter.com/bayesiangirl
Meet: Xin Heng is currently the VP/Head of Data at Punchh. Before joining Punchh, he was the Head of Data Science at StubHub and a Data Science Manager at Uber. He has his Ph.D. in Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering from Caltech.
What you’ll learn:
Machine Learning Software Development - the differences between building ML software for B2B and B2C companies
The Value of AI - predictivity vs interpretability
Building an AI team - from the right leader and to core team members
If you would like to connect with Xin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/xin-heng-8781302/
Meet: Arkadiy is Head of Application & Infrastructure Security at Chime. He is passionate about all forms of digital harm reduction, ranging from technical, to policy & legal, to security management & leadership.
What you’ll learn:
Establishing a security champion and culture
Developers make for great security engineers
Learning lessons from launching his own product
If you would like to reach out to Arkadiy about anything he discussed on the podcast, please reach out to him via Twitter:
https://twitter.com/arkadiyt
Meet: Rick Medina is a security practitioner, OSINT junkie, button pusher, and checkbox un-checker
What you’ll learn:
Dealing with Covid’s impact on security within the retail space
Security becoming more agile
If you would like to get in touch with Rick regarding anything discussed on this episode, please connect via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricardomedinajr/
Meet: Kyle is a CISO and VP, Security, Privacy, and Compliance. He has 18 years of establishing, growing, and leading Security and Software Engineering Teams that built security in consumer, enterprise, and SaaS software products.
What you’ll learn:
Bootstrapping a security program
Security policy as code
Starting point to move to shift security left
If you have any questions for Kyle, please feel free to reach out to him via LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylerandolph/
Meet: Ken is the data engineering manager at Alto Pharmacy - which offers free, same-day medication delivery to customers. Alto's data engineering team supports the entire business with a large focus on improving the logistical efficiency of the organization.
Ken's career has focused on data engineering in which he has held a variety of roles in management, data engineering, and data architecture roles, and worked as both an employee and consultant. Ken feels that data engineering is a specialization of software engineering - and benefits from many of the same process innovations - around testing, agile, DevOps, and dataops methodologies.
What you’ll learn:
What does a modern data warehousing solution look like
Data engineering shift from GUI tools to software engineering
Data engineering viewed as specialized software engineering
If you would like to get in touch with Ken regarding anything discussed on this episode, please connect via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenfar/
Meet: Prior to LeafLink, Nikhil led the data science function for Gartner’s Marketing practice, gaining deep expertise in building scaled data products for large consumer brands. He has extensive experience in generating insights from e-commerce, search and transactional data leveraging experimentation, machine learning, and implementing business intelligence solutions. Nikhil has also held positions managing data science teams at and consulting F500 clients on marketing and advertising. Currently, Nikhil is responsible for continuing to evolve the data platform that powers the LeafLink marketplace.
What you’ll learn:
Adjusting to a less regulated industry
Building out the data infrastructure
Technology choices and tradeoffs
Meet: Nachi is a Director of Engineering at Electric.AI. Having started his career building software at a large investment bank, he has since transitioned into working for startups based out of NYC. He enjoys the role of being an early technology hire and is passionate about building inclusive & diverse engineering cultures, strong agile practices, and delighting customers.
Topic: Empowering engineers to understand the why behind what they are working on
To connect with Nachi:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/n4ch1k3t/
Meet: Kunal Bhattacharya is a Security Leader, Organization builder, and mentor who helps organizations build robust Cyberdefense and detection capabilities. He does this by building Secure SDL processes and machination encapsulating Shift left strategy, SecDevOps, Cloud, and Penetration testing. Kunal's prior experience in all phases of application development, System and database administration, and Quality engineering have helped him in building lasting relationships with peers in engineering and product organizations and working towards shared security goals. Kunal has worked with Tech Titans like PayPal, Credit Karma, Symantec, etc in the Silicon Valley and has been instrumental in building multiple high-performing organizations in his career.
What you’ll learn:
Moving security from a black box view
Thinking about security earlier in the design and development phase
Mental health aspects for security professionals
If you have any questions for Kunal, please feel free to reach out to him via LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kunal-bhattacharya/
Meet: Chris Millikin is the Head of Infrastructure and Security at Nuna.
Prior to Nuna, Chris spent over a decade building security engineering teams focused on detection, response, and security by design at Google as well as Alphabet’s Security “bet”, Chronicle Security. Chris is passionate about building strong teams and developing them to their full potential and is currently hiring passionate problem solvers.
What you’ll learn:
How a security breach can shape your future views
Applying an innovative mindset to healthcare
Striving for balance in security
If you would like to reach out to Chris about anything discussed on the podcast, please reach out to via: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%97%85-chris-millikin-80b2951/
https://www.twitter.com/chrismillikin
Meet: Ben is a Senior Director of Software Engineering at Flatiron Health, where he leads the Machine Learning Team. Prior to Flatiron, he worked at Google on NLP applications for Google Search. He has a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Washington.
What you’ll learn:
The impact of machine learning in healthcare data
Solving text classification problems
Can machine learning be overused
If you would like to reach out to Ben about anything discussed on the podcast, please reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-birnbaum-657a4730/
https://twitter.com/benbirnbaum
Meet: Joel Anderson has worked in cybersecurity and IT as an engineer, advisor, and executive with impact across public, private, and social sectors:
-
technology leader for over 15 years
-
strong focus on information security and emerging technologies
-
agile, proven strategic thinker/thought leader relating technology to business value
-
experienced leading global teams
What you’ll learn:
CI/CD Business Systems for Performance and Security
Mainland China Deployments
Navigating Compliance as a Growing Company
If you would like to reach out to Joel about anything he discussed on the podcast, please reach out via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcpanderson/
Meet: Ella Alkalay Schreiber, Head of Pricing and Recommendations she leads a cross-functional team of product managers, data scientists, designers, and engineers in the creation of data-driven fintech products that make travel planning easier, most notably our Price Freeze product. These services leverage our immense first and third-party data to create products and values that do not exist elsewhere. In less than 12 months, Hopper has grown its attach rate of Fintech products on travel bookings from 0% to +50% and today 75% of the company's revenue is derived from them.
As VP of Data Science at Hopper, I was responsible for leading the company’s data science team and building a data-driven culture within the organization. During my time at Hopper, I have tripled the data science team and spearheaded the company’s AI and machine learning efforts which drive over 20% of the company’s sales.
What you’ll learn:
Customer-driven and LTV
New data science features that impact business revenue
Move quickly and optimize later
If you have any questions for Ella, please feel free to reach out to her via LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ella-alkalay-schreiber-94a986a8/
Meet: Wen-Ying is helping revolutionize how data insights can be turned into accelerators for strengthened growth at Plastiq. She has been a leader and champion of analytics and science in both start-up and corporate environments, including LendingClub, Mercari, GREE, Storm8, and eBay.
What you’ll learn:
Impact - address impact, to the business, to yourself to drive results
Project Management - work backward, set deadlines and time tables to ensure successful projects
Effectively communicating - Know your audience
Meet: Sen Xu is the head of engineering at Replica, where he leads the engineering effort to build a scalable data solution to provide movement insights. Prior to Replica, he was at Lyft's self-driving division, Uber, Twitter, and cofounded his own startups in the commodity trading industry.
What you’ll learn:
Moving forward from activities and processes that don’t scale
4 main pillars of engineering management
Scaling requires more specialization
If you would like to reach out to Sen about anything he discussed on the podcast, please reach out to him via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sxualex/
Blog mentioned:
https://replicahq.medium.com/reimagining-work-in-the-covid-19-era-1026a5f69845
Meet: Anjali Samani is a Director of Data Science at Salesforce. When we recorded this episode, she was leading the Predictive Modelling team at CircleUp. Anjali has extensive experience in managing and delivering commercial data science projects and has worked with senior decision-makers in startups, Financial Times Stock Exchange (FTSE) 100 businesses, and public sector organizations in the UK and US to enable them to develop their data strategy and execute data science projects. Her roles bridge technical data science and business to identify and execute innovative solutions that leverage proprietary and public data sources to deliver value and drive growth. In her former life, Anjali spent nearly a decade working as a quantitative analyst in asset management, and she has a background in computer science, economics, and mathematics.
What you’ll learn:
Assigning a growth score to a brand
Removing bias from investing
Brand growth in emerging markets
If you have any questions for Anjali, please feel free to reach out to her via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/anjalisamani/
https://twitter.com/anjalisamani
Meet: Allen Ko is a data science manager working at States Title, where he's leading the company's efforts to automate document processing and parsing. He has a bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering and loves to spend his free time hiking and wandering in the outdoors.
What you’ll learn:
Transitioning to the data industry via Metis
Stepping up to a manager role
More integration with the product team
If you have any questions for Allen, please feel free to reach out to him via LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/allenwko/
Meet: Connan has a strong background in Economics with his Ph.D. and has also taught at UCLA as a professor. He was a Data Scientist at Uber for over 4 years before taking over the Data Science team at Just Auto Insurance.
What you’ll learn:
Hiring for your Data team - a balanced team for success
Future of Data Scientists - evolving requirements and technical skills
Customer Lifetime Value (LTV) - an example from Uber
If you have any questions for Connan, please feel free to reach out to him via LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/connan-snider-4249311b/
Meet: Anson Whitmer - Head of Data. After completing a Ph.D., then a post-doc at Stanford, in cognitive neuroscience, Anson transitioned into data science. He is now the director of data at Calm, a company that he help build up, as the first data hire, to its current unicorn+ status
What you’ll learn:
Fueling growth by discovering a new uses case for a product
Employe number 10 and first data hire
Prioritization - Focusing on delivering the most value for the business
If you have any questions for Anson, please feel free to reach out to him via:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ansonwhitmer/
http://www.ansonwhitmer.com/
Meet: Daniel Gremmell is the Head of Data at Policygenius where he leads data engineering, data analysis, and data science. Before Policygenius, he was VP of Data Science at Plated. Daniel has experience in numerous industries including automotive, aerospace, and publishing. Daniel holds 2 master's degrees including an MS in Statistics from Rochester Institute of Technology.
What you’ll learn:
Finding ways to identify new requirements
Importance of having accurate views of the job and company you will be joining
Evaluating soft skills through virtual interviewing
If you have any questions for Dan, please feel free to reach out to him via LinkedIn:
www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-gremmell-6953842b
Meet: Peter has held management-level positions at Hearst and Freestar, before landing at Teachable, where he is the Head of Data. He also has his MBA from NYU.
What you’ll learn:
Building your data science team - case study and lessons learned
3rd party applications - pros/cons and the debate, to build in-house or buy
If you have any questions for Peter, please feel free to reach out to him via LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-jaffe-4b18a66/
Meet: Marnie Benney is an Independent Curator working at the juncture of contemporary art and technology. Over the last decade, she has produced 27 exhibitions in city centers, public spaces, galleries, and festivals around the world including the New York Hall of Science, University of Cambridge London, the National Aquarium in Maryland, and The Nook Gallery in Los Angeles. Benney is the Co-founder and Curator of AIArtists.org, the world’s largest community of artists using Artificial Intelligence, where she provides a platform for artists to share their practice and investigate the future implications of AI on society.
What you’ll learn:
The impact of AI in Art
Technology mixing with art is not something new (see da Vinci)
Art has always pushed the envelope
If you have any questions for Marnie, please feel free to reach out to her via::
http://www.marniebenney.com/
https://www.instagram.com/marniebenney/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marniebenney/
Some of the artwork/links discussed in the podcast:
https://aiartists.org/
http://bensnell.io/
http://www.saparcontemporary.com/
http://www.saparcontemporary.com/exhibitions#/art-andai
Meet: Bryan has worked at Facebook and Indeed on the Data Science and Machine Learning teams. He’s currently the Data Science Manager at Nextdoor.
What you’ll learn:
Grad School - the pros and cons and what you can do to jumpstart your career
Remote work - the pros and cons
If you have any questions for Bryan, please feel free to reach out to him via LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryangilbertdavis/
Meet: Josh Scott, an experienced security leader that focuses on building high performing and innovative security programs that are business-focused. Passionate about delivering security solutions that are maintainable, deliver value to the organization, and are as transparent as possible to customers both internal and external. More than 20 years of security experience in many security and technology domains and across various industries.
What you’ll learn:
Getting away from evaluating 3rd party tools and start building your own tools
The evolving relationship with other engineering departments
Find a small pilot project to begin shifting security left
If you would like to reach out to Josh about anything he discussed on the podcast, please reach out to him via LinkedIn or Twitter:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuascott/
https://twitter.com/joshuascott94
Meet: Sean has worked at Google and Facebook. He was a Data Science Manager at Facebook working on the VR team before moving over to Goodwater Capital as their Data Science Manager.
What you’ll learn:
Data Moat - insight collection, defining success, operationalizing data applications
Showing your value - examples for data scientists to show their value
If you have any questions for Sean, please feel free to reach out to him via LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shunpochang/
Meet: Clare Corthell is an entrepreneur and product manager in mapping and data science. She founded companies in drone mapping, data science consulting, and consumer ridesharing. She started the Open Source Data Science Masters, used as the blueprint for university accredited degrees since 2014. She is currently the Product Manager of map data at Lyft, hails from Stanford Engineering, and grew up in the wilds of Alaska.
What you’ll learn:
The relationship between product and data science
The risk of optimizing before doing experimentation
Data science of risk vs the data science of certainty
If you have any questions for Clare, please feel free to reach out to her via Twitter:
https://twitter.com/clarecorthell
Meet: Silvano has 20 years of experience in IT and Information Security and his interests include DevSecOps, AppSec, and business-driven risk-based approach. Silvano is a proponent of Security integrated into the product development lifecycle to create a seamless culture of security by design.
What you’ll learn:
Finding the right balance as a product-focused CISO
Compliance requirements as a part of selling into the enterprise space
Partner with developers earlier in the development process
If you have any questions for Silvano, please feel free to reach out to him via LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/silvano-silva-7694833/
Meet: Jesse Lehmier is a data engineering manager at ASAPP. He previously worked in analytics, big data, and full-stack software engineering roles.
What you’ll learn:
Seize opportunities to develop soft skills
Transitioning from a software engineering role into data engineering
Don’t spin your wheels, ask for help sooner
If you have any questions for Jesse, please feel free to reach out to him via LinkedIn:
https://linkedin.com/in/lehmier
Meet: Adam Oliner, Head of Machine Learning at Slack. Prior to Slack, Adam was leading the team at Splunk. He has his Masters and Ph.D. in Computer Science from Stanford and did his undergraduate degree at MIT.
What you’ll learn:
Commoditization of tooling - how it affects your career
Structuring your Machine Learning organization - best practices and approaches
Machine Learning Projects - how to get traction and how to think about your projects (failures and iterations)
If you have any questions for Adam, please feel free to reach out to him via LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-oliner-b9a2b35a/
Meet: Rohit Vashisht is the co-founder and CEO of whiz.ai, a conversational AI platform for Life Sciences commercial ops and field teams. Previously, Rohit was CEO and co-founder of Sverve – an influencer marketplace that was acquired by Bloglovin’ and rebranded as Activate. Rohit holds an M.B.A from the NYU Stern School of Business and an engineering degree from I.I.T, Delhi.
What you’ll learn:
Why can't enterprise software be as easy to use as consumer software
Helping organizations answer questions simpler and faster
Leveraging AI to deliver answers faster to sales and ops teams in the field
If you would like to reach out to Rohit about anything he discussed on the podcast, please reach out to him via his LinkedIn or Twitter:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohitv/
https://twitter.com/_techCEO
Meet: Jeshua Bratman is an expert in building technology products powered by artificial intelligence. He’s a founding member of Abnormal Security and head of machine learning. Prior to joining Abnormal, Jeshua played a critical role in building Twitter’s machine learning platform and detecting and preventing abusive behavior on the Twitter product. Prior to Twitter, Jeshua built the AI engine that powered TellApart’s advertising product and bringing it to over $100 million ARR and acquisition by Twitter and integration. His academic experience is in theoretical reinforcement learning and deep learning at the University of Michigan.
What you’ll learn:
Machine learning driving business value
Email hackers against machine learning models - the chess match
Advice on how to find your next machine learning position
If you would like to reach out to Jesh about anything he discussed on the podcast, please reach out to him via his LinkedIn or Twitter:
https://twitter.com/nojeshua
linkedin.com/in/jeshuabratman/
Meet: Gagan Sandhu, Sr. Engineering Director at Square. He leads the ML, Data Engineering and Mobile engineers within the e-commerce product division at Square.
What you’ll learn:
Machine Learning - How to apply ML effectively to your organization: from getting buy-in for projects, managing expectations, and solving the right problems by working with the right people.
Mentorship - Different strategies for different people and building trust as a leader. Keeping a pulse on your team and creating rituals for your team.
If you have any questions for Gagan, please feel free to reach out to him via LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaganjit
Meet: Drew Silverstein is the CEO and co-founder of Amper Music. Founded in 2014, Amper Music combines the highest levels of artistry with groundbreaking technology to empower anyone to create unique, professional music, instantly. He is part of the Forbes class of 2018 "30 Under 30" list for music. Prior to Amper Music, Drew was an award-winning composer, producer, and songwriter for film, television, and video games in Los Angeles at Sonic Fuel Studios. Drew graduated from Vanderbilt University's Blair School of Music, where he studied Music Composition and Italian and holds an MBA from Columbia Business School.
What you’ll learn:
How AI affects the speed of music-making and the amount of content produced
Evolution of music composition and tools
Economic impact of using AI to create music
If you would like to reach out to Drew about anything he discussed on the podcast, please reach out to him via LinkedIn or Twitter:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/drewsilverstein/
https://twitter.com/DrewSilverstein
Meet: Adam Robertson is a DevOps Leader with more than 15 years of professional experience architecting and building technical organizations from early-stage startups to established long-running companies. Starting young at the beginning of the internet revolution he had a natural proclivity to everything technical and was building computers for friends and family by his early teens. After spending most of his teenage years working in various computer shops he attended the University of Texas at Austin where he earned his BS in Computer Science. Shortly after he made the move to Silicon Valley to join the fast pace of the startup culture and has been loving it ever since.
What you’ll learn:
What is the tipping point that brings about change
Modern DevOps practices are more about getting people involved, not replacing people
Reengineering a solution requires you to understand the problems they were trying to solve
If you would like to reach out to Adam about anything he discussed on the podcast, please reach out to him via LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamianrobertson/
Meet: Jude Gomila is currently CEO and Founder of the startup Golden. Jude Gomila was previously President and Co-Founder of Heyzap (Union Square Ventures and Y Combinator funded in 2009) which sold to Fyber for $45m in 2016. He has also made over 200 angel investments into startups.
What you’ll learn:
Focusing on solving search issues
Applying trust to a data source and resolving the conflicts between different sources
Converting the firehouse of data and applying structure
If you would like to connect with Jude:
http://www.judegomila.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/judegomila/
Meet: Kunal Haria, Data Engineering Manager at StyleSeat. He has his Masters in Information Management from Syracuse University.
What you’ll learn:
Interviewing - tips for data engineers, from resumes to whiteboarding
Transition to Management - lessons learned going from a lead to a manager
Buy vs Build - how to evaluate to build in-house vs buying an off the shelf solution
If you want to connect with Kunal, please reach out to him via Medium: https://medium.com/@dataengineering
Meet: Phillip Schafer leads the data science team at IronNet. He has a PhD in physics from Penn State, where he developed voice recognition algorithms modeled on the human brain's processing of speech. He previously worked on algorithms for pricing and dispositioning returned retail goods at retail startup Optoro. At IronNet, he has implemented machine learning models to help enterprises defend themselves against sophisticated cyber attacks. He lives in Columbia, Md., with his wife and two-year-old son.
What you’ll learn:
Moving from academia to the business world
Data science challenges within the cybersecurity industry
Transitioning to a management role and moving away from being an individual contributor
If you would like to reach out to Phillip about anything he discussed on the podcast, please reach out to him via LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillip-schafer/
Meet: Ryan Scolnik, the Head of Data Science at FortressIQ. He was employee #4 and currently leads the company's data science, computer vision and AI strategy. Ryan holds a PhD in Statistics from Florida State University and enjoys Kaggle competitions and long bike rides in his spare time.
What you’ll learn:
Being the 1st Data hire - lessons learned and finding data vs simulating data
Transition to being a manager - be prepared for more meetings, less coding and lots of communicating
Ego and Coding - trusting your team and letting your ego go
If you want to follow up with Ryan, please connect with him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-scolnik-5718193a/
Meet: Michael Weiss has spent the past 16 years in information security. While at Microsoft, he managed the Security Assurance Program for Windows 7. His latest role is as Chief Information Security Officer at Funding Circle, a fintech small business lender based in London.
What you’ll learn:
Look to security adjacent roles to find your next security hire
natural interest in security is one of your best paths to getting hired for your first security role
Security takes a back seat if you don’t have a champion
You can connect with Michael via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/weissmichaela/
Meet: Shailvi Wakhlu, the Head of Analytics at Komodo Health. She loves to volunteer, mentor, and inspire within the data and analytics community.
What you’ll learn:
Resume and Interviewing - tips for analysts
Women in Data - how to share your achievements
Women in Data - job promotion advice
The best way to connect with Shailvi is on Twitter - @ShailviW
Meet: Daniel Barber is the CEO & Co-founder of DataGrail. In the new age of privacy, DataGrail is the only purpose-built privacy management platform that ensures sustained compliance with the GDPR, CCPA, and forthcoming regulation. Prior to DataGrail, Daniel led revenue teams at DocuSign, Datanyze (acquired by ZoomInfo), ToutApp (acquired by Marketo), and Responsys (acquired by Oracle). He also advises several high-growth startups including Chorus.ai, Outreach.io, and SignOnSite.
What you’ll learn:
-
Privacy is not optional and how to protect yourself
-
The manual complexities around handling privacy requests resulting from CCPA and GDPR
-
The benefits of automating privacy deletion requests and the risk of something slipping through the cracks
If you would like to reach out to Daniel about anything he discussed on the podcast, please reach out to him via LinkedIn or Twitter:
https://twitter.com/gaijindan
https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-barber/
Meet: Chris Byington is VP of Data at Updater, where he leads the Data team in partnering with stakeholders to bring data to bear on the company’s toughest problems. Before Updater Chris led Analytics at Heroku, a Salesforce company, where he used data to deeply understand software developers and help them be more successful. A recovering stats nerd, Chris’s favorite statistical technique is bootstrapping. He holds a bachelor's degree in French and Economics from Pomona College
What you’ll learn:
Mentoring - if you have ever wanted to become a mentor we have great tips
Mentees - are you looking to find a mentor?
Professionals - so you are a senior IC or a manager and you might want to find a mentor
If you would like to reach out to Chris about anything he discussed on the podcast, please reach out to him via his LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-byington/
Meet: Mahesh Ramasubramanian is the co-founder and CEO of Loom.ai, a San Francisco-based company that has developed an end-to-end deep learning platform for deploying personalized 3D avatars for enterprise applications. With over 15 years of experience leading visual effects for several blockbuster movies at DreamWorks Animation, Mahesh is also a voting member of the Oscars Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
What you’ll learn:
Simplifying - leveraging AI and deep learning to bring a complex Hollywood technology to individual consumers
Deep learning - Loom.ai went from 7 minutes to process an image into an avatar to just seconds
LoomieLive - creating your own personalized 3D avatar
You can reach out to Mahesh via LinkedIn
Give LoomieLIve a try!
Meet: Lisa Mirkovic, VP of Data Engineering at Capital Group. Lisa has been at the Capital Group for over 20 years and is passionate about paying it forward whenever possible, especially within the data and engineering community.
What you’ll learn:
Career Advice - how to be self-aware and be happy in your career
Data Engineering - the key attributes it takes to be a good data engineer
Leveling Up - creating an internal training academy for your organization
If you would like to connect with Lisa please message her on LinkedIn.
Meet: Mike Doll is the Head of Data at Udacity, an online education platform dedicated to training the world's workforce in the careers of the future. Mike is responsible for the functions of data engineering, data science, BI, and analytics.
What you’ll learn:
Nontraditional path - transitioning to data science without having the hard skills
Lean into the curiosity and opportunity - build connections within your organization
Coming up to speed - focused on the longterm, but providing value in the short term
If you want to connect with Mike, please reach out via LinkedIn
Meet: Suxi Li, the Head of Data Analytics at Investor's Business Daily (IBD). He has his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Miami and ran analytics teams at Experian and J.D. Power before joining the team at IBD.
What you’ll learn:
Team Building - who to hire and when
Onboarding - how does Covid-19 affect onboarding; you need more communication and touchpoints
Interviewing - providing the right details
If you would like to connect with Suxi please visit his LinkedIn profile.
Meet: Sivan Aldor-Noiman, the Head of Data Science and Data Engineering at Wellio
What you’ll learn:
Academia - do’s and don'ts when transitioning to industry
Business Acumen - the importance of understanding solving business problems and how you can help improve your business knowledge
Diversity in data - increasing diversity makes for better models
You can reach out to Sivan via LinkedIn.
Meet: Sri Sethupathy, the VP of Data and Analytics at Age of Learning. Sri built the analytics team at Hulu. He has served as an executive advisor to multiple startups and early-stage companies as well.
What you’ll learn:
Building teams - set the right tone with relationships and have the right people in the right roles
Interviewing - do research, be prepared, and be passionate. Your attitude matters.
Hiring - heat skill map to help identify gaps and synergy between all internal teams
Connect with Sri: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vastav
Meet Pedro Alves, founder and CEO of Ople.ai. Pedro founded Ople.ai in 2017. He started Ople with the goal of creating a platform that puts the knowledge and expertise of the world’s leading data scientists at the fingertips of analysts and SMEs.
What you’ll learn from this episode:
ROI - the top 3 things to help establish ROI for AI projects
Democratize AI - allow larger numbers within an organization to use AI and make it commonplace
Data Scientists - how the role of a data scientist will continue to evolve
Bonus tip:
Regret - listen to Pedro’s view on how he deals with the path not taken
Contact Pedro:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pedroalvesds/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/pedro_data_sci
Meet Raghu Dhara, the Head of Data Science at KeepTruckin. He is a Harvard grad who founded a start-up from his dorm room and was also a staff writer on the Harvard Crimson newspaper.
What you’ll learn:
Entrepreneurship - do’s and don'ts of building a start-up
Skills - what data scientist need to do to up their skills and stay relevant
Hiring - what to put on your resume and interviewing tips
Bonus tip
Founder’s view - there is a lot more to starting a company than just coding - market validation is a must
Meet John Morra who is the Chief Data Scientist at Zefr. He’s a member of the LA CTO Forum and organizer of the LA Machine Learning Meetup.
Three key takeaways from this episode::
Team management - give your team full trust and they will give you trust
Teamwork - how to make sure you have the right resource balance on your team
Hiring - what to look for when making a data scientist hire
Bonus tip
Founder’s view - there is a lot more to starting a company than just coding - learn about how to run a business too
I had an insightful conversation with Dennis Mortensen, CEO and founder of x.ai, about the software’s uses and the people it serves.
Founded in 2014, x.ai is a productivity tool powered by AI that allows users to schedule meetings effortlessly. It should be easier and less time-consuming to schedule meetings, and x.ai is built to help achieve that.
Dennis is an entrepreneur at heart and we discuss his thought process in how he launches his ideas as well as making sure he stress tests them before diving in.
Key listening points:
- Who is Dennis Mortensen? [:05]
- What is x.ai? [1:40]
- The romanticism of startups [2:32]
- What was Dennis’ frame of mind when x.ai first started? [3:34]
- The thought process in trade-offs [6:01]
- The internal structure of checks and balances [8:10]
- Processes for Dennis’ previous startups [10:53]
- The startup race [14:04]
- The love/hate of risk [16:07]
- How Dennis poses the idea of x.ai to investors and potential employees [20:45]
- x.ai in the blink of an eye [23:25]
- The future of x.ai [25:26]
- x.ai for the personal space [29:24]
- Unique abilities of x.ai [33:19]
- The target audience for Amy and Andrew [35:50]
- VIPs feature [39:33]
Connect with Dennis Mortensen:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennismortensen/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DennisMortensen
Connect with Elevano
Website: www.elevano.com
Connect with Amir Bormand
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand/
Twitter:https://twitter.com/amirbormand?lang=en