The Tech Trek

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...

In this episode, Amir Bormand chats with Christina Stejskalova, Director of Data at Ontra, about the pivotal role of data professionals in startups and the strategic considerations surrounding their hiring. They explore how early investment in data expertise impacts AI strategies, product development, and long-term company success. Christina shares valuable insights from her time at Facebook and l...

In this episode, we dive into how businesses leverage data platforms and AI to serve the business effectively. Addhyan Pandey shares insights into Zoro’s AI journey, the role of machine learning, data technical debt, and the shift toward self-service analytics. Key Takeaways 🔹 AI vs. ML in Business: While AI is a hot topic, many companies still rely on traditional machine learning (ML) models lik...

In this episode, I sit down with Matt Birnbaum , Partner at Pear VC , to discuss one of the most critical aspects of early-stage startups: structuring equity for early hires . We dive deep into how founders should allocate equity, common pitfalls, and how to ensure flexibility for future growth . If you’re an early-stage founder, considering joining a startup, or just want to better understand the...

In this episode, Amir Bormand speaks with Sandeep Bhadra , General Partner at Vertex, about the journey and challenges of early-stage founders. Sandeep dives deep into the psychology of being a founder, the importance of support systems, and how investors can serve as mentors. They also discuss essential skills founders often lack, navigating pivots, and the role of distribution in building a busi...

In this episode, Amir Bormand sits down with John Cottongim , Co-Founder and CTO of Roots Automation , to explore how automation and generative AI (GenAI) are revolutionizing the insurance industry . John brings deep expertise from his 13-year tenure at AIG , sharing insights on legacy systems, data challenges, and the evolving role of digital co-workers . He discusses the intersection of process...

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 e...

What if the best way for your child to learn wasn’t in a traditional classroom? In this episode, Amir Bormand sits down with Amir Nathoo, Co-Founder and Head of Outschool, a live online learning marketplace that’s rethinking how—and where—kids learn. With over a million learners served, Outschool has quietly become a powerful alternative for families looking to break out of the one-size-fits-all e...

In this engaging episode, Amir Bormand sits down with Brian Moseley, Co-Founder and CTO at Sixfold, to explore the nuances of making critical technical decisions. They dive into the concept of technical debt, balancing short-term wins with long-term scalability, and how context plays a crucial role in decision-making. From real-world examples to thought-provoking discussions on collaboration and t...

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...

In this episode, Amir Bormand sits down with Joe Emison, CTO and Co-Founder of Branch Insurance, to discuss how modern software development can be made cheaper, faster, and better. Joe shares insights from his book Serverless is a Game Changer and explains how embracing managed services and serverless architectures can lead to greater efficiency and scalability. He also dives into the cultural and...

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 incr...

In this episode, Amir sits down with Eli Wachs, Co-Founder and CEO of Footprint, to dive into the real-world challenges of building a startup with long-term intent. From resisting the hype of building fast to making strategic bets with limited data, Eli breaks down how he and his co-founder crafted a one-year roadmap, how they reassessed it, and how they make calls about what comes next. If you&#3...

In this episode, we dive into the evolution of XOps with Jai Prakash, exploring how a 100-year-old company like Pella Corporation is leveraging DataOps, MLOps, and AI to drive manufacturing innovation. Jai shares how Pella is integrating advanced analytics and AI-driven processes into their operations, creating efficiencies in assembly lines, data management, and workforce upskilling. Whether you&...

In this episode, Amir Bormand chats with Sarah Guidry , Head of Analytics and Data Science at LendingTree , about the intricacies of organizing work in data science . They explore frameworks for structuring work, stakeholder expectations, balancing quick wins with long-term goals, and how data teams can create space for innovation while delivering high-value results. If you’ve ever struggled with...

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 opp...

In this episode, Amir sits down with Sergei Azernikov to discuss how AI and generative AI (GenAI) are transforming the dental industry. Glidewell Dental, a leader in dental lab products, has been at the forefront of AI innovation—leveraging advanced machine learning models to automate design, improve precision, and reduce dental restoration times from weeks to mere hours. Sergei shares how technol...

Beth Falder, AVP of Data Management and Analytics at Nuvance Health, joins Amir to unpack a challenge every tech leader is facing right now: how to stay grounded while everything around you accelerates. From navigating the hype around GenAI to dealing with the slow, foundational work of governance and data cleanup, Beth shares how she chooses where to place bets—and what to ignore. This episode is...

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, t...

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...

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 reimag...

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 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 syste...

In this episode of The Tech Trek, I sit down with Atli Thorkelsson, VP of Talent Network at Redpoint Ventures, to unpack one of the most pivotal and complex hires a founder will make: their first go-to-market leader. From timing the hire to evaluating charisma vs. substance, Atli walks us through practical frameworks and cautionary tales to help founders avoid common pitfalls. Whether you're a...

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 tea...