The Breakthrough

When it comes to the homeowner experience, problems often arise—from renovation issues to zoning questions. Join Rohan Weigel, Vice President of Data and Operations at Realm, to explore how Realm is utilizing machine learning, deep learning, and computer vision to offer homeowners more control over their investment than ever. Plus, discover some of the past innovations Rohan's been part of and where he sees the future of real-estate heading.

Kristi Mansfield, co-founder and CEO of Seer Data and Analytics, is working to help create a future where AI and data sharing work together to allow every person to tell their individual story, regardless of their technology skillset. Her passion for using data to solve complex problems, allows her to create better outcomes for communities dealing with social issues.

Jo Gaines, Area Vice President for Salesforce Digital 360, has spent over 20 years working in media and technology, her experience in commerce and marketing spanning from startups to mature organizations. Through Jo's years as a leader, she's discovered the value of showing her true self and a passion for supporting equal opportunity success. Tune into the Breakthrough Podcast, hosted by Alison Dean, and explore how a business can utilize digital empathy to build purpose, and why companies must do well by doing good. 

Wendy McEwan, former Head of Marketing and Digital for Knight Frank's Asian Pacific Division, joined the internet media industry in 1999 with Ziff Davis APN (eventually bought by CNET), and became a general manager by the age of 30. Wendy's experiences in leveraging technology to create business transformations in the digital world span numerous companies and countries, including Australia, the United States, and Singapore. Tune into the Breakthrough Podcast to discover more about Wendy's wildly successful marketing strategy and communications career. 

Jeff Julian, currently CEO and Founder of Lab5 Systems, is a renowned creative futurist and designer whose experience spans from working with A-List directors to building a 13,000 square mile city in Saudi Arabia. Join Alison Dean, VP of Operations at Theorem, as she and Jeff discuss the bandwidth required to lead global teams of innovators, the day-to-day operations of next generation design thinking, and Jeff's passion for leveraging transformation to build a better tomorrow.

Marina Cortazzo, head of technology solutions delivery for AAG, shares some of her most exciting and challenging projects. From running full infrastructure for Anastasia Beverly Hills to leveraging technology that transformed dining experiences for Dine Brands, Marina's experience in IT spans over two decades and covers a vast array of industries. Join host Alison Dean as she and Marina discuss what digital transformation means and why a company needs to crystalize its identity to have a rock-solid strategy.

Currently CEO and co-founder of Musical Health Technologies, Rachel Francine started her career by taking brick and mortar products and turning them into digital solutions. Her experience in the world of technology and her long-time love of music drove her to develop a game-changing platform, SingFit, that allows music to act as medicine. Tune in to Episode 17 of The Breakthrough podcast to explore how Rachel's transformative and futuristic ideas can impact the lives of those suffering from chronic conditions, like dementia, and deliver results that matter to those who need them most. 

Ellen Snee––executive coach and advisor as well as the author of the upcoming book Lead: How Women in Charge Claim Their Authority––has dedicated over 25 years to empowering and educating women. Her decades of working for the ordination of women, followed by 15 years of experience in coaching women executives in Fortune 500 companies, has offered her amazing insight into how companies can attract, retain, develop, and advance women in the world of technology. 

Omar Ghani, head of Strategic Sourcing at Reddit, explores the different facets of working as a supply chain and sourcing professional. His experience in leading over 600 negotiations and procurement reviews has given him amazing insight when it comes to evaluating, selecting, and executing partnerships with third-party companies. Tune in to discover what the future of robotic process automation could mean in the realm of strategic negotiations, and why transparency is a valuable part of digital transformation. 

Trent Johnson, Senior Vice President of Corporate Ventures at Cie, has worked in the world of digital transformation since the dot-com era, witnessing the rapid growth of technology from early on in his career. Trent's experiences in leading innovation span various sectors, from global brands to private equity firms, and range from early-stage startups to giant enterprise companies. Join Alison Dean, VP of Operations at Theorem, as she and Trent explore his variety of past and present digital innovations, the importance of asking the right questions, and how technology can be leveraged to make and accelerate markets while helping others and benefiting social causes.

Brian Paradis, former President of Florida Hospital's Central Region––a $4 billion enterprise––started his career in technology when he inherited a hospital's legacy system and realized the immediate need to create communication and cooperation between a company's IT department and business operations. Join Alison Dean as she and Brian explore how his drive for leveraging technology to close the gaps still present in healthcare systems led from that first project to his current role as Senior Partner with CSuite Solutions.

When tackling a complex problem, like enhancing a city's smart capabilities while respecting individual privacy, Joseph Cevetello –– Fulbright scholar, Harvard graduate, and currently the Chief Information Officer for the city of Santa Monica, California –– isn't afraid to dive in and discover innovative solutions. From helping create the IT Strategy for the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (a 15 million dollar project and the first mixed gender university in Saudi) to building a strategic plan that focused on flexibility, capability, and capacity for Santa Monica, Joseph's skill for leveraging technology to create solutions that serve others is nothing short of awe inspiring. 

What does digital transformation mean, and what are the core values of Agile working? For Melanie Hildebrandt, Vice President - Enterprise Systems & Development at WestRock Company these aren't just buzzwords, but ways to reimagine, restrategize, and restructure in the ever-evolving world of IT organizations. In Melanie's role of corporate applications, she's been able to use technology to impact and improve the systems and processes that affect people as well as build diverse teams who are given the psychological safety and self-empowerment to create and innovate to their full potential. 

With countless different devices all storing personal media, the need to design a system that would allow for communication across platforms became increasingly apparent to Scott Olechowski, Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer at Plex. Join Alison Dean as she and Scott explore his experience in the world of cybersecurity and software development, and how his desire to create a simple and effective streaming solution evolved into one of the best media server apps available. 

Being an active listener and practicing emotional intelligence are two qualities Helen Norris, Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Chapman University, believes a person in a leadership role should strive for. And her skills as a leader have shown to be nothing short of awe-inspiring as she and her team continue to navigate and rework the technology required for a university to operate in the high flex environment brought on by COVID-19. Join Alison Dean, VP of Operations at Theorem, as she and Helen explore what the university picture currently looks like, the importance of being both accessible and present to team members, and why technology's primary role is to enhance the lives of those it's designed to serve.

Jon Snoddy, Vice President for the Advanced Development Studio at Walt Disney Imagineering, started his career as a recording engineer, and now leads one of the most innovative teams in the entertainment industry. Join Alison Dean as she and Jon explore the advancements of technology over the years, the future of artificial intelligence in storytelling, and the value of working alongside collaborators who aren't afraid to try new things.

Creating a vision and acting with intent are skills that Kelly Huang, current VP of Product at Ethyca, takes into her everyday operations. She employed those principles to succeed in large-scale projects, like designing electronic medical record systems, and she continues to utilize her immense talent in product strategy and problem-solving to work toward a safer online world. 

How is neuroscience related to running a truly transparent company? Are most leaders open to transparency, or is that just a current buzzword being thrown around for effect?  Tony Dottino, founder of Dottino Consulting Group, doesn't just study strategy, transformation, and employee engagement, he lives it. By asking the right questions, understanding the brain's fight or flight response, and using both empathy and energy, Tony explores the science of how leaders can invoke a real and lasting change.

Sarah Richardson — current Senior Vice President and Chief Information Office at Tivity, and founder of Concierge Leadership — set out for a future in hospitality, but the world of IT captured her interest and became the cornerstone of her vibrant career. From tackling the technology of mega-resorts to working in the systems of healthcare, Sarah believes in the power of digital evolution and the value of asking questions. Imagine a world where an at home body scan can provide information on your overall health, and offer feedback for preventative care. Is that level of technology right around the corner? Tune into episode 5 of The Breakthrough to learn more about Sarah's passion for revolutionizing health and fitness by giving consumers access to life changing tools, all from the safety of their own home.

    Kevin Gray believes that the most impactful part of technology is what it can do for the people it serves. As the former VP of Global Media and Infrastructure Technology at Viacom, and the current Chief Information Officer for the city of Burbank, California, he's continued to practice a thoughtful style of leadership to help build success. Tune into this episode of The Breakthrough with Theorem's VP Operations, Alison Dean to learn what strategies Kevin has learned, the books that have helped him advance, and why he'd side himself with a boutique corporation versus a giant enterprise any-day. 

Drew Martin attributes his success leading tech to putting people first. As the former CIO of 70-year-old west coast fast food giant Jack in the Box, and a former IT leader at Sony Electronics and PepsiCo, he has steered transformational change at some of the biggest brands around. Today on the Breakthrough with Alison Dean, Drew looks back over a career marked by one central question: “How can you make people more productive by giving them better experiences?” Listen in as Drew discusses the benefits of earning buy-in and building trust with customers at every level — from employees, to franchisees, to the loyal guests who can't get enough of their signature curly fries.*Drew Martin was serving as CIO at the time of the recording of this podcast in April of 2021, but as of May of 2021 has since stepped down

Megan Prichard knows a thing or two about revolutionary transportation. As the current Global Head of Autonomous Ridesharing at Ford Motor Co. and previous GM for Uber Air, she has had a pivotal role in the groundbreaking intersection of aviation and app-based travel. Today on The Breakthrough with Alison Dean, Megan paints a picture of a future where you step out of your home, order a flying Uber, and instead of driving 2 hours you arrive at your destination in 20 minutes - or at the very least you've gained a mobile office while the car you've stepped into drives itself. Listen in as Megan explains how quickly this scenario is coming to fruition as well as the safety standards and community guidelines that surround this new reality.

If there's one thing we can all agree on, it's that snacks from Trader Joe's are irresistible. Yet while you leave your local store with your cart overflowing, you rarely think of the “IT Disaster Recovery Plan” necessary to keep those tasty treats on the shelves during a pandemic! On today's debut episode of The Breakthrough, host Alison Dean chats with CIO of Trader Joe's Ron Glickman. Ron shares the elements that make his game-changing perspective unique and the ways in which Trader Joe's grocery stores have been adjusting and thriving through Covid-19 challenges.