Silver Creek Insights

What if social media actually helped people feel less alone? In this episode of the Silver Creek Insights Podcast, host Felisa Wiley sits down with Khalil Jezini, Founder of Kornerz Social Network, and Rich Dornisch, Chief Operating Officer at Kornerz, to explore a bold mission: building a mental-health-focused social platform designed to create real connection instead of digital loneliness. Korne...

What does modern CIO leadership look like in an era defined by AI, cloud migration, cybersecurity threats, and enterprise transformation? In Episode 29 of Silver Creek Insights, we sit down with Praveen Kamsetti, CIO and digital transformation leader, to explore how today’s technology executives must balance operational excellence with empathetic leadership. This conversation covers: • CIO digital...

In Episode 28 of the Silver Creek Insights Podcast, we sit down with Sergio Cuoto, Senior Data Engineer at Adevinta (Spain), to explore what modern data engineering really looks like in practice. Sergio breaks down the realities of building scalable data systems with Apache Spark and Delta Lake, why data governance is no longer optional, and how organizations must rethink culture, education, and c...

Digital transformation in architecture isn’t just about adopting new tools — it’s about aligning people, process, and creativity. In Episode 27 of the Silver Creek Insights Podcast, Yigit Karanfil, Director of Technology at INSTUDIO, joins us to unpack what design technology leadership looks like in the real world. From automating creative workflows to earning leadership buy-in, Yigit shares lesso...

AI isn’t just a technical challenge — it’s a societal one. In Episode 26 of the Silver Creek Insights Podcast, Julian Plotnick, Founder of 4 Day Philly, joins us to unpack what it really takes to deploy AI responsibly in the real world. From agentic AI models and data infrastructure to public policy, governance, and workforce impact, this conversation explores how technology decisions ripple far b...

AI doesn’t live in a vacuum — it lives inside systems, policies, and real people’s lives. In this episode of the Silver Creek Insights Podcast, we sit down with Oren Gruber, a technology leader with over 20 years of experience driving digital transformation across transportation and federal sectors. Oren shares a grounded perspective on what it really takes to move AI from strategy decks into prod...

What happens when artificial intelligence leaves the lab and enters real products? In this episode of the Silver Creek Insights Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Ross Turner, former academic and founder in the AI space, to unpack how AI actually gets built, deployed, and trusted in business environments. We explore the real differences between Natural Language Generation and modern LLMs, why AI halluc...

Can you scale trust if you can’t see what’s breaking underneath? In this episode of the Silver Creek Insights Podcast, Barr Moses, Co-Founder and CEO of Monte Carlo, joins us to talk about data reliability, observability frameworks, and what infrastructure at scale really demands from modern data leaders. Barr breaks down how AI is changing the future of BI, why observability must span the full da...

Jake Blair has built IoT systems that don’t just live in the cloud, they touch the real world. From his early days in industrial settings to building smart hardware at Bastille Networks and other companies, Jake has lived the full spectrum of what "Made in America" tech means today. In this episode, he shares hard-won lessons on hardware, data pipelines, and designing for environments where things...

In this episode of the Silver Creek Insights Podcast, we sit down with Brian Green, chief AI ethics officer at Health Vision AI and founding CEO of Envision Health AI. From building tools that assist clinicians to designing data systems that prioritize empathy, Brian shares what it really takes to design the future of medicine—responsibly. 🔍 In this episode, we explore: How AI is being integrated...

In this episode of the Silver Creek Insights Podcast, we’re joined by Jasper Croome, a seasoned data visualization engineer who’s worked across industries—from Amazon and Nike to Carbon Direct and climate tech. Jasper’s career is a masterclass in building data experiences that are not just functional, but impactful. We talk about: His journey from support ops to leading data design How AI is chang...

In this episode of Silver Creek Insights, Isaac Strain shares how systems thinking has guided him from building rockets at SpaceX to tackling sustainability in agtech. He breaks down how to grow your own “skill tree,” design for real-world constraints, and build ideas that don’t just launch — but last. 🌱 Whether you’re an engineer, a founder, or just curious how big ideas take root, Isaac’s story...

What happens when companies stop treating data like an afterthought—and start treating it like a product? In this episode of Fee’s Fresh Takes, host Fee Wiley talks with Daniel Pham, Co-Founder of Silver Creek, about how the “data-as-a-product” approach helps organizations move faster, align better, and unlock real business value. 💡 They explore: How clear ownership and shared goals eliminate con...

Is your company treating data like a thermometer, reporting after the fact, or a thermostat that sets the future? Nachiket Mehta,  Head of Data & Analytics Engineering at Wayfair, joins Fee to unpack how integrating AI in business processes requires more than shiny tools. We cover: Why artificial intelligence integration services fail without people/process alignment How embedded data engineers tu...

Are you drowning in point‑solutions, muddled tech stacks, and “AI magic button” promises? 🌀 In this Fee’s Fresh Takes episode, host Fee Wiley sits down with Daniel Pham, Co‑Founder of Silver Creek Insights, to unpack the partnership ecosystem—the human‑first network of vendors, integrators, and champions that turns fragmented tools into real business value. They dive into: Why trust, relationship...

What is a modern data stack—and is yours working for you or against you? Tristan Handy, founder and CEO of dbt Labs, joins us to explore the next evolution of analytics engineering, dbt Fusion, and the rise of AI in analytics workflows. 📌 Highlights: dbt Fusion explained: faster compile times, SQL comprehension, cost savings What makes a data lake technology stack valuable in the age of open stan...

What is real-time data—and does your business really need it? In this episode Dr. Josh Simmons (Director of Engineering ) breaks down the real-world value of real-time data analytics, including where it matters—like in finance, defense tech, or trading—and where it’s overkill. We also talk about: How to scale engineering teams without losing quality How AI really integrates with legacy systems Wha...

Welcome back to another episode of Fee’s Fresh Takes. Today’s topic: real-time data. And here’s my hot take—not every company needs it. So we’re breaking it down: What is real-time data, really? Where it’s critical Where it’s overkill And how to know if your team is even ready So Daniel—let’s jump in. What are the top two industries where real-time isn’t just helpful, but absolutely critical? Dani...

In the first episode of Fee’s Fresh Takes, Fee W chats with Daniel Pham, CEO of Silver Creek Insights, about the undeniable power of relationships in tech and data consulting. From breaking into leadership circles to delivering standout client value, they unpack why trust, timing, and team chemistry matter more than ever in a world overloaded with automation and AI. It’s a fresh, honest look at ho...

In this episode of the Silver Creek Insights podcast, Joe Luchs, former Amazon leader and startup veteran joins Fee to talk about building AI-driven businesses, fixing broken data systems, and why culture still trumps code. From agentic automation to the future of data engineering, Joe shares the real story behind launching a new venture and what it takes to stay ahead in the age of AI.

In this episode of The SciPod, host Jack welcomes back a fan-favorite—Felisa "Fee" Wiley, returning to the Silver Creek Insights team! Fee shares the latest on PausePoint, her mindfulness app designed to help people reclaim their time in a chaotic world. She dives into the intersection of AI, emotional regulation, and productivity, plus her unique journey as a self-taught technologist.

In this episode, Lucas Thelosen, founder of the Gravity Foundation and former Looker exec, shares his journey from small-town Germany to Silicon Valley, fueled by his passion for data, analytics, and economics. Discover how the Gravity Foundation is transforming how businesses access and use AI-driven insights, empowering companies of all sizes to compete in a data-driven world. Tune in to explore...

In this episode, sustainability expert Marilyn Johnson delves into the vital role of sustainability in corporate strategy. Drawing from her experience with companies like Walmart, she discusses how businesses can leverage good data to drive sustainability metrics and make informed decisions. Marilyn emphasizes the power of collaboration in solving sustainability challenges and explores the opportu...

In this episode our host Jack chats with Dave Aaron, founder of Boston Data Company, a BI-focused firm helping startups and small businesses harness their data. Dave shares insights on when to invest in BI, the importance of understanding key business metrics, and how to build a strong data foundation. They also discuss the impact of the cloud data revolution, remote work, and the role of AI in bu...

In this insightful episode, we sit down with Mary Beth Ottley, the COO of Excess Telecom, as she shares her remarkable career journey from the hospitality industry to the dynamic world of telecommunications. Mary Beth offers invaluable advice on career growth, emphasizing the importance of understanding the entire organization and gaining expertise across different areas.