The Tech Trek

What happens when a 160-year-old insurance company decides to embrace AI? Peter Maynard, Chief Data and Analytics Officer at Guardian Life, joins Amir to break down how legacy organizations can rethink their playbook, shift mindsets, and move from awareness to execution. From the boardroom to the data science lab, Peter shares how leaders can challenge their own thinking—and create space for their...

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...

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 avoid...

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 a...

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 co...

In this episode, Willem Koenders, Global Leader in Data Strategy at ZS, joins Amir to unpack how companies can—and should—approach GenAI with realism, not just hype. Willem breaks down the hard truths about legacy data, the prerequisites for AI adoption, and how enterprises must choose between core disruption and co-pilot enhancement. This is a no-fluff, strategic conversation for any tech leader...

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 ens...

In this episode, Amir welcomes back Dennis Mortensen — serial entrepreneur, former founder of x.ai, and now CEO of LaunchBrightly — for an unfiltered dive into the emotional highs and lows of entrepreneurship. From building and exiting companies to walking 25km across Manhattan for clarity, Dennis shares what it truly means to love the game of startups. This isn’t your average "build and exit...

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 import...

In this episode, Amir sits down with Zach LaValley, EVP of Engineering at RapidSOS, to explore the high-stakes world of emergency response technology. Zach unpacks how RapidSOS acts as a digital bridge between 911 call centers and a growing network of connected devices—from smartphones to IoT sensors—delivering real-time, life-saving data when seconds matter most. They dive into the fragmented lan...

In this episode, Amir Bormand sits down with Harrison Tang, CEO and Co-founder of Spokeo, to explore a problem most people in AI, data, and digital identity overlook: entity resolution. Harrison unpacks how billions of fragmented data records are connected, how we determine what's true in a world of generated content, and why trust and privacy are becoming the new battlegrounds in tech. They d...

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&#...

In this episode, Nir Kaldero, Chief Data & AI Officer at NEORIS, breaks down what it really takes for enterprises to adopt AI effectively. From selecting the right pilot projects to ensuring leadership buy-in, Nir shares his proven framework—Speed to Value—for driving meaningful AI outcomes. He also highlights the most common mistakes enterprises make and offers strategic advice on aligning AI...

In this episode, Amir Bormand sits down with Shashank Tiwari , Co-founder and CEO of uno.ai , to explore how AI is shaping the cybersecurity industry . They dive into the massive skills gap , the role of AI co-pilots , and how security teams can leverage AI to increase efficiency while reducing burnout . If you’re in tech, security, or AI , this episode unpacks the real-world applications of AI in...

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 va...

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...

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...

In this episode, Amir sits down with Michel Tricot, CEO and Co-founder of Airbyte, to unpack what startup culture really means—and why it’s not for everyone. Michel shares how Airbyte’s company values were created, how they’ve evolved, and why the principle of “Be the CEO of your project” is at the heart of their team’s DNA. From hiring strategies to cultural rituals, Michel reveals how he filters...

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,...

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...

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 t...

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 explai...

In this episode, Amir welcomes Barb Wixom, Principal Research Scientist at MIT Sloan’s Center for Information Systems Research, to unpack what data monetization truly means and why most organizations misunderstand it. Barb shares insights from three decades of research and her new book, explaining the three real ways to convert data into financial value and the core capabilities companies need to...