Podcasts about technovation

987: Kelly Services is transforming the way enterprises approach staffing through AI-powered innovation, scalable tech, and smart acquisitions. In this episode of Technovation, Peter High speaks with Sean Perry, Chief Information Officer of Kelly Services, a $4.3B staffing and professional services company. Sean shares how he's driving modernization across IT, integrating recent acquisitions like Motion Recruitment, and developing innovative AI tools to deliver enterprise-wide value. From launching a custom AI assistant (GRACE) to implementing a modern tech stack across legacy systems, Sean reveals how Kelly is reshaping its digital future while improving candidate and client experiences. He also draws lessons from his time at Amazon and Robert Half to rethink internal products with a customer-first mindset.

986: In today's episode of Technovation, we feature a fireside chat from our Metis Strategy Summit, held on May 13, 2025, and moderated by Peter High. The guest is Justin Wexler, General Partner at WndrCo, a venture capital firm focused on scaling AI and enterprise innovation. In this candid conversation, Justin offers a behind-the-scenes look at how WndrCo identifies, mentors, and scales AI startups into enterprise-ready solutions. With deep involvement in companies like Writer and Netomi, he explores what separates proof-of-concept from production-grade success—and what enterprise CIOs can do to help startups land and expand.

984: In today's episode of Technovation, we feature a panel from our Metis Strategy Summit held on May 13, 2025 moderated by Peter High. The topic was Designing an AI-First Operating Model, and the executives who joined the discussion were Talal Butt, Chief Information Officer of Generac Power Systems; Ampily Vijay, Chief Digital & Technology Officer of CBRE Investment Management; and Chris Nardecchia, Chief Digital Officer of Rockwell Automation. Each shares frontline perspectives on embedding AI at scale from energy tech and industrial automation to real estate investment and operations. Together, they explore how enterprise leaders are shifting from isolated AI pilots to fully integrated operating models that prioritize data, talent, and measurable impact. From reshaping customer experiences and product ecosystems to building architecture for sustainable scale, this conversation delivers a playbook for moving beyond experimentation and into durable transformation.

What if the biggest barrier to success in tech isn't access, but mindset? In this episode of Future of Work, Dr. Salvatrice Cummo talks with Tara Chklovski, founder and CEO of Technovation, about what it truly takes to thrive in an AI-driven world. Tara unpacks why resilience and adaptability are just as vital as technical skills, how simulation-based learning can reshape education, and why women are most at risk of being left behind. Together, they explore how community colleges, mentorship, and real-world problem-solving can unlock opportunity for all. The future of work isn't just about tech, it's about who's empowered to shape it. You'll learn:  Why AI literacy starts with confidence, not code, and how to build both. How educators can move beyond “toy problems” and toward real-world innovation. What emotional and cognitive resilience look like in a rapidly evolving workforce. How women are being left behind in fast-growing tech sectors, and how to fix it. Why simulation learning may be the most powerful classroom tool we're not using.   About the Guest: Tara Chklovski is the founder and CEO of Technovation, a global nonprofit dedicated to empowering girls and underserved communities through technology education. With a background in physics and aerospace engineering, she transitioned from academia to social entrepreneurship to address the gender and racial disparities in STEM fields. Tara has helped over 130,000 students across 100+ countries build confidence, tech skills, and purpose. Her work has been recognized by Forbes, the UN, and the White House, and she continues to lead global conversations on how education and innovation intersect to shape a more inclusive future of work.    Engage with us: LinkedIn, Instagram & Facebook: @PasadenaCityCollegeEWD Join our newsletter for more on this topic: ewdpulse.com Visit: PCC EWD website   More from Tara Chklovski & Technovation Websites: https://www.technovation.org/ LinkedIn: @tarachk   Partner with us! Contact our host, Salvatrice Cummo, directly: scummo@pasadena.edu Want to be a guest on the show? Click HERE to inquire about booking    Find the transcript of this episode HERE   Please rate us and leave us your thoughts and comments on Apple Podcasts; we'd love to hear from you!  

Something exciting is happening in my hometown of Ottawa, and I'm looking forward to sharing it with you on the podcast. Next week, from June 9th to the 13th, will be the inaugural Ottawa Innovation Week, a celebration of bold ideas, creative minds, and the game-changers who are driving the future of technology, business, arts, entertainment, and social impact right here in Canada's capital. My guest on this episode is Sonya Shorey, President and CEO, Invest Ottawa, Bayview Yards, and Area X.O, a research and development complex that helps accelerate next-gen technology. Sonya is leading Ottawa Innovation Week, in partnership with the Ottawa Board of Trade and Ottawa Tourism, among many other organizations. We discuss what inspired her to create Ottawa Innovation Week, how it was developed, what we can expect, and what she hopes will be the impact on us as individuals and on the city. I will reflect on my experience and what I learned during Ottawa Innovation Week, including interviews with some of the speakers and innovators I meet, in the episode that will be published on June 19th. Ottawa Innovation Week event details can be found on the website at: https://www.investottawa.ca/innovation-week/ Sonya Shorey, President and CEO of Invest Ottawa, Bayview Yards, and Area X.O, is a strategy executive and management consultant with more than 22 years of leadership experience with private and public organizations. With expertise in regional, national, and global technology, entrepreneurial, economic development, and innovation-based organizations, she specializes in corporate and communications strategy development and execution. This includes investment strategies that secure new cash and in-kind contributions from public and private sources. Since 2005, Sonya has led, strategized, authored and/or made a significant contribution to successful multi-year funding proposals and initiatives valued at more than $203 million from municipal, provincial, federal, and international governments. Within her executive leadership role with Invest Ottawa, Bayview Yards and Area X.O, Sonya plays a pivotal role in developing, leading, and executing strategy for all three organizations. This includes: • Area X.O, the futureplex of innovation and collaboration for next-generation smart mobility, connectivity and autonomy technologies; • The Women Founders and Owners Strategy and Action Plan. This includes co-founding SheBoot, the investment-ready bootcamp for women tech founders designed and delivered by women entrepreneurs and investors, and founding International Women's Week in Canada's Capital; and International Women's Week. • The first Pan-Ontario Scale-Up Platform of its kind aimed at enabling and accelerating the growth, scaleup and commercial success of more $100 million revenue-generating tech companies in Canada. Sonya launched her career as the Manager of Communications and Member of the Vice-Presidential Cabinet with the 10G Organization of Optical Networks for Nortel from 1999 to 2002, and then served as the Director of Marketing Communications for CMC Microsystems until 2007. Building on a decade of experience, Sonya launched her own strategy company in 2008, addressing the needs of S&T organizations, innovation, entrepreneurship and economic development agencies across Canada, and their partners around the world. She currently serves Vice President of Strategy, Marketing and Communications for Invest Ottawa, lead economic development agency for knowledge-based industries in Canada's Capital. Sonya is a Director of the Institute of Mental Health Research of the Royal Ottawa Hospital, Elevate International, and Mindtrust Leadership. She also serves as mentor and pitch coach with Women in Cloud, AI North America, and Technovation. She holds a Combined Honours in English and Political Science from Carleton University and has won 10+ international awards for communications, leadership, and women's economic empowerment. Sonya Shorey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonyashorey/ Invest Ottawa: https://www.investottawa.ca/ Ottawa Board of Trade: https://www.ottawabot.ca/ Ottawa Tourism: https://ottawatourism.ca/en

How do leading CIOs drive innovation, resilience, and trust amid volatility? In today's episode of Technovation, we feature a panel from our Metis Strategy Summit held on May 13, 2025 moderated by Peter High. The topic was Cultivating Resilience and Trust in Uncertain Times and the executives who joined the discussion were Cindy Hoots, Chief Information Officer of AstraZeneca, Rahul Jalali, Chief Information Officer of Union Pacific, and Ather Williams III, Head of Strategy, Digital, Innovation, & Enterprise Payments at Wells Fargo. Each shares frontline perspectives on navigating disruption from economic uncertainty and shifting supply chains to generative AI and regulatory complexity. Together, they unpack how their organizations are leveraging digital platforms, data, and cross-functional leadership to respond to instability and build enduring trust with customers, regulators, and employees.

What would it take to build a global movement that empowers millions of girls to change the world through technology?  In this episode, you'll meet Tara Chklovski, the powerhouse behind Technovation—the world's largest tech entrepreneurship program for girls. Born in India and raised by women who shattered expectations, Tara shares how self-reliance, vision, and the courage to walk away from a PhD in aerospace engineering led her to launch a nonprofit that's transforming lives in over 120 countries. With a bold new goal of equipping 25 million girls with AI and tech skills by 2030, she's creating a future where innovation is driven by inclusion—not exclusion. You'll hear what it means to stay relevant in a world that's changing faster than ever, why confidence is something you build, not something you're given, and how creating—even in small ways—can transform your sense of purpose. Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest. The key moments in this episode are: [00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast [00:26] The Importance of Staying Relevant as a Leader [01:01] Meet Tara Chklovski: Building a Global Movement [02:29] Tara's Personal Journey and Family Influence [03:40] Starting Fresh: From Aerospace to Nonprofit [05:14] The Birth of Technovation [09:43] Impact and Ripple Effects of Technovation [12:25] Leadership and Personal Branding [14:03] Facing the Future: Innovation and AI [20:15] Building Confidence Through Creation [21:28] Intentional Living and Decompression [21:59] Physical Strength and Social Support [25:38] Setting and Achieving Ambitious Goals [27:42] Sustaining Energy and Fighting for Equality [30:52] The Importance of Community and Self-Reliance [34:18] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts

981: How does a 174-year-old mutual insurance company stay ahead of the curve? In this episode of Technovation, Peter High speaks with Sears Merritt, Head of Enterprise Technology and Experience at MassMutual. Sears leads a $650M tech budget and a global team of 3,000, driving innovation in cybersecurity, data, and generative AI to deliver superior experiences for employees, advisors, and policyholders. Sears shares insights on MassMutual's modernization journey from consolidating legacy systems to rolling out secure GenAI tools like Microsoft Copilot and GitHub Copilot. He also unveils the company's strategic investments in virtual assistants, R&D partnerships, and a groundbreaking health and wellness platform that aligns longevity with economic value for policyholders.

980: “Enterprise data platforms must evolve to express context to AI systems.” In this episode of Technovation, Peter High speaks with Louis Landry, Chief Technology Officer at Teradata, a $1.75B cloud analytics and AI data platform. Louis shares how Teradata is reshaping its core platform to meet the demands of the AI era through open, hybrid architectures, vector search integration, and mixed workload optimization. A 11-year veteran of the company, Louis reflects on Teradata's evolution from centralized analytics to a hybrid, multi-cloud powerhouse, and what it means to support some of the world's largest banks, airlines, and healthcare providers. He also offers insight into agentic AI, data-centric intelligence, and model-sharing futures.

Chloe O'Loughlin, a 2nd year student in St. Patrick's Comprehensive School in Shannon, won the Junior category award at the Technovation Ireland Regional Pitch Event (RPE) in AMD's Headquarters, CityWest, Dublin. Chloe has been working on an app to help people with dementia since she started the Teen-Turn after-school program in January. Twelve weeks of mentoring and support led to the big event, with Chloe winning the Junior category. 65 projects from 8 counties and more than 20 schools were submitted to Technovation from Ireland this year. Chloe will now represent Ireland in the semi-finals of the global competition. This project was particularly personal to Chloe who had a dream to help people suffering with dementia in a simple and easy way. She said: 'I have relatives with dementia. I see firsthand the effects that it has on them. I wanted to think of something that would help them.' It was this initial thought that led her to create and develop her app called Brain Track. "The app features a to-do list, calendar, to keep track of different appointments and allows relatives and caregivers to keep an eye on them." An additional feature of the app is a profile page where the user or their relatives can input profiles of the people around them including photos and key details about that person. Chloe believes that to be a very important feature for the wellbeing of the person with dementia and a reassurance to their loved ones. "If someone with dementia were to forget someone's name, they can go into the app and remind themselves of their name, which would save them the frustration of having to ask the person directly." Chloe committed to 12 weeks of staying after school with more than 10 other girls in the group to learn to code, develop a business plan and pitch to judges. Her mentor Donna O'Sullivan, who is also a teacher at the school, applauded Chloe for her commitment and dedication to the project and app. "Chloe has shown tremendous dedication and commitment to attending our Teen-Turn sessions after school each week and made superb progress during that time. We are so proud of what she has achieved and grateful to Teen-Turn for their continued support in developing tech skills for our girls." Chloe really enjoyed participating in Teen-Turn's afterschool program and said, "I really enjoyed working with everyone in the group. We got tons of different ideas and opinions when putting it all together, and it's great to see how the other projects were coming along." Chloe also benefited from extra sessions held by Teen-Turn over the midterm in partnership with PayPal and on two Super Session Saturdays, where the girls had the opportunity to gain in-person mentorship at the University of Limerick from academic staff and Immersive Software Engineering students. On the day of the RPE Chloe said that she was a little apprehensive to pitch to the judges but that she found the experience to be a very powerful one. "I was very nervous, but the judges were really nice and once I started, I was more excited than nervous. They genuinely wanted to find out more about the app and how it works." Chloe was overjoyed to take first place on the day, winning a laptop with AMD chip technology, and is looking forward to the next stage of the competition. So what does the future hold for Chloe and Brain Track? I definitely want to continue with Teen-Turn and with Project Squad and Technovation in the future because I really enjoyed it.' says Chloe who is very excited at the thought of possibly bringing the app to the market in the future. "I think the app will help people and I want to continue improving it." Chloe hopes that she can make the future a little brighter for those with dementia and their loved ones. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like vi...

In this episode of Technovation, host Peter High speaks with Gary Kotovets, Chief Data & Analytics Officer at Dun & Bradstreet, a global leader in business decision-making data and analytics. Gary shares how he oversees the company's end-to-end data strategy, from acquisition and normalization to advanced analytics and GenAI integration, serving a customer base that spans Fortune 500 giants to small businesses. Learn how Gary's team fuels innovation through alternative data, builds trusted AI tools like ChatD&B, and partners directly with C-level clients to deliver decision-ready intelligence.

Seth Cohen, Chief Information Officer of $84B consumer goods leader Procter & Gamble, joins Peter High on Technovation to share how P&G is transforming through data-driven innovation, a robust AI factory, and end-to-end supply chain visibility.  Seth, who previously held CIO roles at PepsiCo and Reckitt Benckiser, unpacks P&G's digital flywheel—from freeing siloed data and scaling AI use cases to upskilling IT talent and building a quantum-ready future. He also explains how the Pampers Club app connects consumer insights with factory-level data, and why agentic AI could make dashboards obsolete.

“If St. Jude doesn't do it, who will?” That mission-driven mindset fuels innovation at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. In this episode of Technovation, host Peter High speaks with Keith Perry, Chief Information Officer of St. Jude, about how he is leveraging technology to enhance the patient journey and accelerate research into pediatric catastrophic diseases. Keith shares how his nearly decade-long tenure has driven transformation through a strategic six-year, $12.9B plan, including the implementation of Epic and Workday, GPU-enabled research infrastructure, and a concierge-style patient mobile app. He also explores the global impact of St. Jude's outreach in under-resourced countries, the evolution of data science partnerships, and the future of AI and cybersecurity in healthcare.

In this episode of Technovation, Peter High speaks with Mark Sherwood, Chief Information Officer at Wolters Kluwer, a €6B global professional services and software firm headquartered in the Netherlands. Mark joined as CIO in December 2024 and has helped accelerate the company's transition from a traditional publishing business to a tech-centric organization. Mark discusses how his global team supports the company's AI- and cloud-first strategy, the role of business relationship managers (BRMs) in bridging tech and business, and how a strong innovation culture helps Wolters Kluwer stay ahead in the digital age. With nearly half the company's products leveraging AI and a robust multi-cloud foundation, the firm is redefining access to expert content in legal, tax, healthcare, and finance. Key topics include: Building a multi-cloud foundation for global resilience and innovation The evolution from a holding company to a unified operating mode Scaling AI across products while protecting intellectual property Driving cultural change through transparency, inclusion, and BRM alignment Balancing cutting-edge tech with ethical AI and data governance

In this episode of Technovation, Peter High speaks with Venkat Achanta, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology, Data & Analytics Officer at TransUnion, a $4.5B global information and insights company. Since joining after TransUnion's acquisition of Neustar, Venkat has led a sweeping modernization of the company's tech stack—culminating in the creation of OneTru, a platform powering data governance, analytics, and AI innovation at scale. Venkat shares how his 7,000-person global team built a single pane of glass to manage petabytes of sensitive data across 30+ countries and hundreds of products. He also discusses how TransUnion's OneTru and TruIQ platforms are enabling internal teams and external clients to rapidly build, deploy, and govern real-time machine learning models.

In Episode 211, we dive into Science News Explores, a comprehensive resource packed with student-friendly science articles, engaging experiments, and STEM career connections. We also briefly touch on Technovation, a fantastic tool to inspire innovation and technology exploration in your classroom.Science News ExploresTechnovationMentioned in this episode:Education Podcast NetworkTech Tools for Teachers is part of the Education Podcast Network. https://www.edupodcastnetwork.com/This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacyPodtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Generac Power Systems is no longer just a generator company — it's becoming a full-stack energy technology platform. In this episode of Technovation, CIO Talal Butt offers a behind-the-scenes look at how he's reshaping the $4.3B manufacturer's technology landscape to support that evolution. Speaking directly to senior IT and digital leaders, Talal shares how he's building a modern digital ecosystem from scratch — one that's powered by real-time data, platform thinking, and AI-driven decisioning. From architecting Generac's first scalable data governance program to operationalizing GenAI use cases and redefining the partner experience, this episode is a playbook for CIOs navigating transformation in legacy industries.

Teen-Turn, a charity dedicated to empowering young women from underserved and underrepresented communities to pursue STEM careers, delivered its spring "Teen-Turn Super Session" at the University of Limerick on Saturday, April 5th. The event brought together over 60 girls from Connacht and Munster for a day of hands-on learning, mentorship, and exploration of university life. Teen-Turn Super Sessions are a key part of Teen-Turn's mission to provide the training and support necessary for girls to make informed decisions about their educational and career paths, particularly in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). With the guidance of industry professionals, university staff, and Teen-Turn alumni, participants engage in intensive, collaborative sessions, upskilling and working on their current after-school program projects and gaining invaluable insights into the world of STEM. This Super Session focused on guiding girls working in teams to code mobile apps that address real-world challenges. The girls also developed accompanying business plans, marketing strategies and pitches, which will be showcased at a Technovation Regional Pitch Event in May. Technovation activities aim to equip girls aged 10-18 with the skills to become tech entrepreneurs and leaders. "We were thrilled University of Limerick was able to host this Super Session event and to introduce the girls to the campus, explore the opportunities within the Computer Science and Immersive Software Engineering departments and meet the incredible staff and students there," said Iseut Mangan, Regional Manager for Teen-Turn. "For some of these girls, this was their first time visiting a university campus and it was an exciting moment that could shape their future educational and career choices. By familiarising themselves with the campus, they can better visualise themselves as university students. The support they receive from mentors is essential in helping them believe in themselves now so as to achieve a STEM career in the future." The Teen-Turn Super Session featured mentors specifically from the Immersive Software Engineering department at UL, who guided the girls through coding exercises, app development, and business plan creation. Additionally, some of Teen-Turn's alumnae, who participated in many Super Sessions during their journey with Teen-Turn and are now first-year students in Immersive Software Engineering at UL and Biomedical Engineering in MTU, joined the event as a peer mentors, sharing their experiences and offering advice to the girls. Teen-Turn's programmes, including after-school activities, Saturday PLUS clubs, and work placements, provide girls with the skills, confidence and resources to navigate the STEM education system and make informed decisions about Leaving Certificate subject choices and third-level course options. Teen-Turn remains with the girls throughout their journey, from Junior Cert to job, offering continued support through college years and into the workforce. By connecting participants with female role models in the industry, Teen-Turn ensures that girls from all backgrounds have access to the tools and inspiration they need to succeed. "We believe that no girl should be limited by her background, home circumstances or geography when it comes to choosing a career in STEM," said Iseult Mangan. "The programmes we offer start at second level and continue with the girls through college and into the workforce. We help break down barriers and create a supportive community where girls can thrive, explore their potential, and set their sights on a future in technology and innovation." This Super Session event underscored Teen-Turn's ongoing commitment to skilling and supporting the next generation of female leaders in STEM.

From predicting the next flavor trend to revolutionizing procurement with AI, Guy Peri is leading a bold digital transformation at McCormick & Company. In this episode of Technovation, host Peter High speaks with Guy about how he's bringing AI and data strategy to life at a 135-year-old flavor giant. Drawing from nearly three decades at Procter & Gamble, Guy shares how McCormick is building a modern digital backbone, using AI to forecast demand and ingredient pricing, and upskilling employees into citizen data scientists.

What does it take to digitally transform a global manufacturing giant? In this episode of Technovation, host Peter High speaks with Regina Salazar, Chief Digital and Information Officer at Novelis, about how the world's largest aluminum recycler is scaling enterprise-wide innovation through technology. Regina shares how she unified IT and digital into a single operating model, launched a global business relationship framework, and enhanced Novelis' data architecture to support AI at scale. She also discusses the company's ambitious smart factory in Alabama, how digital twins are reshaping operations, and Novelis' roadmap to becoming a tech-enabled, sustainable enterprise.

Prepare to be inspired as Dr. Tara Chklovski, founder and CEO of Technovation, shares her remarkable journey from growing up in India to building the world's largest female tech talent network. Against the backdrop of a culture that traditionally prepared girls for marriage rather than careers, Tara's extraordinary family defied norms – her grandmother founded a school at 65, her mother became an army doctor at 43, and her father taught her mechanical skills from childhood.This foundation of strong role models and hands-on technical experience propelled Tara from aerospace engineering to founding Technovation, which now reaches 400,000 people across more than 160 countries. What makes her approach revolutionary? Rather than simply teaching coding skills that might quickly become obsolete, Technovation focuses on real-world problem-solving through entrepreneurship and cutting-edge AI education.The results speak volumes – 76% of program participants go on to pursue STEM careers, an unmatched success rate Tara attributes to meaningful mentorship. When paired with a mentor, girls have a 95% program completion rate compared to just 10% for typical online courses. This human connection makes all the difference in a girl's technological journey.Looking ahead, Tara shares her bold 15-year strategic vision to reach 25 million young women worldwide – a plan informed by her research showing AI education for girls represents a $200 billion opportunity for the global economy. Her insights on innovation, relevance, and the courage required to pursue ambitious goals offer valuable lessons for anyone seeking to make lasting impact.Want to be part of this transformative movement? Become a mentor and help shape the next generation of female tech leaders while gaining hands-on experience with entrepreneurship and AI. Your involvement could be the difference that changes a young woman's life – and perhaps the future of technology itself.Tune in to this inspiring interview and reach out and let me know what you think.Resources:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/tarachk/ https://www.technovation.org/ Thank you to our supporting partner: Learn more about AnitaB.org Support the showWhen you subscribe to the podcast, you are supporting our work's mission, allowing us to continue highlighting successful women in a variety of careers to inspire others helping pay our wonderful editor, Chris, and helping me in paying our hosting expenses.

964: Caterpillar is celebrating 100 years of innovation—and it's just getting started. In this episode of Technovation, host Peter High welcomes Jamie Engstrom, CIO and SVP of IT at Caterpillar, to discuss how the industrial giant is evolving through data strategy, digital transformation, and customer-centric innovation. Jamie shares her insights on leading a global IT organization of 2,200 professionals, the company's customer-back mindset, and how Caterpillar leverages AI, telematics, and real-time analytics to support over 4 million assets across the globe. From smart manufacturing to supply chain modernization and condition monitoring systems, Jamie explores how Caterpillar is shaping the next century of industrial excellence.

963: Hertz CIO Tim Langley-Hawthorne joins Peter High on Technovation to share how he's modernizing a $9B global fleet operation through AI, cloud, and a product-first mindset. Since joining post-COVID, Tim has sunset Hertz's data centers, scaled AWS infrastructure, launched a consumer+fleet product org, and embedded AI from customer chat to tire inspections. He explains why he rejected a centralized AI model, the power of grassroots innovation, and why partnerships with firms like Palantir and Amadeus are accelerating results. This episode is packed with real-world digital transformation strategies from a high-stakes, asset-heavy enterprise.

962: A unified customer experience helps companies deliver consistency, build trust, and reduce friction across their offerings making it easier for customers to engage, buy, and stay loyal. That's why Aflac is investing in a unified group strategy consolidating acquired products into a seamless, integrated experience across dental, vision, disability, and more. In this episode of Technovation, Peter High interviews Shelia Anderson, EVP and CIO of Aflac, and speaks with her about the company's strategy for transforming IT from a fragmented, acquisition-heavy operation into a centralized, data-driven engine for business value. She outlines how Aflac avoided a costly cloud migration misstep, refocused its data and AI capabilities, and aligned talent strategy with architectural goals. Her approach to innovation is pragmatic and powerful: tie everything to business priorities and know your why.

961: What does it take to digitally transform a $5B retail giant across 13 countries? In this episode of Technovation, Peter High sits down with Wayne Sadin, Chief Information Officer of PriceSmart, the largest membership-based warehouse club chain in Central America, the Caribbean, and Colombia. With a tech leadership career spanning over 40 years, Wayne shares how he's orchestrating a sweeping modernization of PriceSmart's legacy systems—moving from 1980s green screens to a real-time, AI-ready infrastructure. He outlines how embedding IT within the business, redefining budgeting to drive alignment, and creating cross-functional collaboration have helped accelerate transformation in a complex, multi-market environment.

960: How does Palantir, a $3.7 billion data analytics powerhouse, run its own IT operations? In this episode of Technovation, host Peter High sits down with Jim Siders, Chief Information Officer of Palantir, to explore his unique journey from a career in music to leading one of the most efficient IT teams in the industry. Jim discusses Palantir's Customer Zero strategy, the company's federated IT model, and how it has streamlined operations from 200+ IT staff to under 80 while continuing to scale. He also shares his views on AI's role in IT, the elimination of traditional Centers of Excellence, and why breaking legacy IT structures is key to innovation.

Teen-Turn and PayPal recently joined forces to host a coding and app development boot camp at PayPal's Dublin campus. This boot camp saw approximately 50 participants from schools and colleges across Ireland working with mentors and volunteers from PayPal for the global Technovation competition. Teen-Turn, a volunteer-led organisation and registered charity, aims to support course decision-making processes, advise on education and career options, and promote the accessibility of STEM career environments for girls from underserved and underrepresented communities. Meanwhile, Technovation is a tech education nonprofit that offers interactive learning programs in which young people and adults learn how to use technology to solve real-world problems. Whilst many of the attendees are taking part in this year's Technovation competition, some of the attendees on the day were from previous years of the competition and presented the apps they have created and the social enterprises they have launched through the Teen-Turn Incubator and Accelerator Program - including HerdSync and UNdump. In addition to coding and app development, boot camp participants worked with mentors and volunteers on business plans to support the rollout of their innovations. The attendees came from a range of areas and schools including Archbishop McHale College (Galway), Belmayne Educate Together Secondary School (Dublin), Coláiste Bríde (Dublin), Coláiste Nano Nagle (Limerick), DominicanCollege (Galway), Dunmore Community School (Galway), Galway Educate Together Secondary School, Glenamaddy Community School (Galway), Kylemore College (Dublin), Millstreet Community School (Cork), Mount Carmel Secondary School (Dublin), Mount St Michael Secondary School (Mayo), Mungret Community College (Limerick), Presentation Secondary School Warrenmount (Dublin), Salerno Secondary School (Galway), St Jarlath's College (Galway), St Patrick's Comprehensive School (Clare), and St Vincent's (Cork). Speaking about the event, Jacquie Murphy, Munster Co-ordinator with Teen-Turn, said: "We were blown away by the number of mentors in attendance to work with the girls on the day! The range of expertise was second to none, as was the warm welcome and friendly atmosphere. The girls were given expert advice, help and encouragement to make significant progress on their apps. "Working with mentors in the STEM industry, including leaders such as PayPal, gives the girls an opportunity to visualise themselves in those roles in the future. Visiting the campus is an invaluable experience that many girls would not get to do as a second-level student in Ireland. We are incredibly grateful to the team at PayPal for their work on this boot camp visit." Siobhan Grogan, Community Impact lead for Dublin, PayPal, added: "We were delighted to host the Teen-Turn Technovation event at our Dublin campus. The talent and potential of the participants were truly awe-inspiring, with their innovative thinking impressing even our most experienced colleagues! Their passion, entrepreneurship, and determination, combined with the incredible support from our employees, made for an unforgettable experience. The future is certainly in great hands with the next generation." At PayPal, Employee Community Impact is important as a means of both helping the communities in which the organisation operates and empowering employees. Every year, PayPal employees make a positive impact through volunteering, charitable giving, and other engagement programmes. In 2023, PayPal employees contributed more than 118,000 volunteer hours in their local communities. The company's ongoing commitment to making employee impact opportunities more accessible resulted in 67% of PayPal employees globally mobilising to support their communities. See more stories here.

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 06:30:00 +0000 https://tap.podigee.io/54-marin-jovanovic 68189a919872601cd41313f414e788d9 Guest: Marin Jovanovic Bio: Marin Jovanovic is an Associate Professor at the Department of Operations Management at Copenhagen Business School and a Visiting Scholar at Luleå University of Technology. He holds dual Ph.D. degrees in industrial economics and management from the KTH Royal Institute of Technology and in industrial management from the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (cum laude). His research focuses on the digital transformation of manufacturing, maritime, and healthcare sectors, platform ecosystems in the business-to-business (B2B) context, and artificial intelligence. He has published extensively in journals such as Organization Science, Journal of Product Innovation Management, Technovation, and Industrial Marketing Management. He also serves on the editorial boards of Journal of Product Innovation Management and Journal of Business Research. Summary: In this episode, Marin Jovanovic discusses the evolution and characteristics of B2B platforms, contrasting them with B2C platforms. The conversation covers the peculiarities of B2B platforms, including data governance, network effects, transaction value, and the complexity of governance in multi-firm ecosystems. Marin also highlights the growing importance of data utilization, modular structures, and the emergence of generative ecosystems and meta-organizations in the B2B space. The discussion further explores the potential of AI in conjunction with platforms, particularly in the medical sector. Key Discussion Points: Definition of Platforms in the B2B Context: Marin shares his journey into platform research, transitioning from servitization to industrial platforms. Main Findings and Peculiarities of B2B Platforms: The discussion highlights differences in network effects, the higher value but lower volume of transactions, and the increased awareness and demands of participating companies compared to B2C platforms. Data Governance in B2B Platforms: Key challenges include the complexities of data governance, revenue sharing, and the project-specific nature of agreements. The Role of Humans in Matchmaking: The conversation explores whether highly specific B2B transactions might require more human intervention in matchmaking rather than relying solely on algorithms. Cyber-Physical Integration: The importance of merging information systems and management in the context of autonomous solutions is emphasized. Challenges in Explaining B2B Platform Models: The barriers in conveying the concepts of B2B platforms and ecosystems to managers, using the example of 5G technology, are discussed. Modularity and Generative Ecosystems: The significance of modularity in both architecture and management for fostering flexible and reconfigurable B2B ecosystems is highlighted. Open Innovation and Open Organization: The discussion connects B2B platforms to concepts of open innovation and broader organizational collaboration. Microservices and Ecosystem Envelopment: The relevance of microservices for customization and the increasing convergence of platforms into "platforms of platforms" or meta-organizations is explored. Data Monetization in B2B: The potential for companies to sell and leverage data, drawing parallels between B2B and B2C models with examples like smart cities and business analytics, is discussed. Physical Assets as Pivots for B2B Platforms: The idea that valuable physical assets owned by companies can serve as the core of B2B platforms, using the concept of "solution enabler platforms," is examined. Different types of B2B platforms based on control and decision rights, such as consortium platforms and algorithmic governance, are also introduced. Future Research Focus on AI and Platforms: Marin shares his current research interest in the application of AI in specific sectors like medical technology and how AI solutions interact with existing hospital systems and potentially aggregate on platforms. Publications & Projects Mentioned: Porter, M. E., & Heppelmann, J. E. (2014). How smart, connected products are transforming competition. Harvard Business Review, 92(11), 64–88. Jovanovic, M., Sjödin, D., & Parida, V. (2021). Co-evolution of platform architecture, platform services, and platform governance: Expanding the platform value of industrial digital platforms. Technovation, 102218. doi:10.1016/j.technovation.2020.102218. Sjödin, D., Parida, V., Jovanovic, M., & Visnjic, I. (2020). Value creation and value capture alignment in business model innovation: A process view on outcome-based business models. Journal of Product Innovation Management, 37(2), 158–183. doi:10.1111/jpim.12516. Links: Marin Jovanovic's research blog: Industry Platforms Research. full no b2b platforms,industrial platforms Daniel Trabucchi, Tommaso Buganza and Philip Meier

In this episode of Technovation, host Peter High speaks with Ryan Snyder, Senior VP & CIO of Thermo Fisher Scientific, a $40 billion global leader in life sciences. Ryan shares how AI, automation, and data strategy are driving digital transformation—optimizing operations, accelerating clinical trials, and enhancing customer experiences.

958: How is AI revolutionizing healthcare? In this episode of Technovation, Melissa Flicek, CIO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, joins host Peter High to explore how the nearly 100-year-old healthcare giant is leveraging AI, data analytics, and digital transformation to enhance patient experiences and operational efficiency. With $15B+ in annual revenue, BCBSMN is modernizing its technology infrastructure, implementing AI-powered automation to streamline patient interactions, and consolidating data into a single-source architecture to ensure consistency across all touchpoints. Melissa shares how these innovations are improving customer service, optimizing clinical workflows, and supporting predictive healthcare modeling to help lower costs.

956: How can AI, data analytics, and predictive modeling revolutionize healthcare? In this episode of Technovation, host Peter High interviews Matt Kull, Chief Information and Digital Officer at Inova Health System, about how AI and data are reshaping patient care. Matt shares how AI is helping to automate administrative tasks, secure patient data, and predict hospital resource needs. He also discusses the future of edge computing and wireless technology in healthcare, ensuring hospitals operate more efficiently while delivering personalized, data-driven treatments.

955: How can AI revolutionize the $2B+ quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry? In this episode of Technovation, Wendy's CIO Matt Spessard joins Peter High to reveal how the company is leveraging AI, automation, and digital transformation to enhance customer and crew experiences. With 7,000+ locations worldwide, Wendy's is redefining fast food with FreshAi, its AI-powered drive-thru assistant, developed in partnership with Google Cloud. Matt shares how this cutting-edge technology is boosting order accuracy, improving speed, and optimizing crew workflows. Plus, he discusses how Wendy's revamped CRM, loyalty program, and mobile-first strategy led to 40% growth in digital revenue in 2024.

954: MetLife is one of the world's largest financial services companies, serving over 90 million customers globally. Leading its technology and operations division is Bill Pappas, who oversees AI strategy, cybersecurity, customer experience, and digital transformation across the company. In this episode of Technovation, Bill Pappas joins host Peter High to discuss how MetLife is leveraging AI, automation, and technology to enhance customer experience, ensure security, and drive operational efficiency. He shares insights on managing a 38,000-person global team, the role of AI in financial services, and why customer-centric innovation is key to long-term success.

Ingram Micro is no longer just a technology distributor—it's becoming a platform company. In this episode of Technovation, Peter High welcomes Sanjib Sahoo, President of the Global Platform Group at Ingram Micro, to discuss the company's digital transformation journey and how it is leveraging AI, data, and platform technology to revolutionize the B2B technology ecosystem. Sanjib shares insights on the Xvantage platform, Ingram Micro's push toward AI-powered automation, and how the company is connecting 1,500 OEMs with over 160,000 B2B partners. He also delves into agentic AI, the importance of mindset in AI adoption, and how leadership in the digital era requires balancing innovation with human collaboration.

951: In this episode of Technovation, Peter High interviews Dan Caruso, founder of Zayo Group and Caruso Ventures. Dan, a pioneer in communications infrastructure, shares his journey from leading multi-billion dollar exits with MFS and Level 3 to his current investments in quantum and space technologies. He discusses insights from his new book Bandwidth: The Untold Story of Ambition, Deception, and Innovation That Shaped the Internet Age.

950: How do you build a modern, AI-powered financial services platform while keeping your workforce agile and innovative? On this episode of Technovation, Bread Financial CTO Allegra Driscoll joins Peter High on Technovation to discuss her leadership in technology modernization, cloud migration, and fintech innovation. She shares insights into Bread Financial's shift to a product operating model, AI-driven transformation, and mainframe-to-cloud transition—all while leading a large-scale reskilling initiative.

949: New York Life is embracing AI and data to enhance customer experience and business strategy. In this episode of Technovation, Don Vu, Chief Data & Analytics Officer, shares how he's leading a transformation at the 180-year-old mutual insurance giant. Don discusses how AI and data modernization are reshaping insurance, the role of data in improving agent and customer interactions, and how New York Life is structuring its organization for agility and innovation. He also reflects on his career spanning Major League Baseball, Northwestern Mutual, and WeWork, and what excites him about AI's future.

In this episode of the NVIDIA AI Podcast, Tara Chklovski, founder and CEO of Technovation, returns to discuss the importance of inclusive AI. With Anshita Saini, a Technovation alumna and OpenAI staff member, Chklovski explores how Technovation empowers girls through AI education and enhances real-world problem-solving skills. Saini shares her journey from creating an app that helped combat a vaping crisis at her high school to taking on her current role at OpenAI. She also introduces Wiser AI, an initiative she founded to support women and underrepresented voices in AI.

947: How can technology leaders leverage innovation ecosystems to drive meaningful business transformation? In this episode of Technovation, Steven Norton moderates a discussion with Medtronic CIO Rashmi Kumar and Berkadia CIIO Damu Bashyam on how they are tapping into hyperautomation, AI, and startup partnerships to expand their innovation ecosystems and accelerate growth. Rashmi shares how Medtronic is building an innovation ecosystem through its Hyperautomation Center of Excellence, enabling AI-driven decision-making, automation, and operational efficiencies that enhance healthcare delivery. Damu explains how Berkadia's Startup Accelerator Program fosters an ecosystem of fintech and proptech innovators, driving competitive advantage and industry-wide transformation. Learn how leading technology executives are creating and nurturing innovation ecosystems by integrating cutting-edge technology, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and leveraging external partnerships to fuel continuous innovation.

Unisys CTO Dwayne Allen joins Technovation to discuss how he is leading AI-driven innovation and shaping the future of IT services. Dwayne shares insights into Unisys's transformation from hardware to IT solutions, the democratization of digital acumen, and how the company's AI training program has driven adoption across 13,000 employees. He also highlights the promise of generative AI, ethical use policies, and emerging technologies like quantum computing. Tune in to learn how Dwayne's strategic leadership is driving Unisys forward and empowering clients globally.

943: Onsemi CIO Neeraj Vijay joins Technovation to discuss the company's transformation journey, driven by a unique digital thread framework. Neeraj shares insights on leveraging intelligent power and sensing technologies for industries like automotive and life sciences, achieving carbon neutrality by 2040, and fostering cultural adaptability in IT leadership. Learn how Onsemi integrates AI, ESG, and digital innovation to lead in the semiconductor space.

942: In this episode of Technovation, host Peter High interviews Kai Boysan, CEO of Flix North America, to explore how Flix is modernizing intercity travel. Learn about Flix's strategic acquisition of Greyhound, its use of AI for optimizing operations, and its mission to provide sustainable, affordable travel to over 1,600 destinations. Discover how Flix employs AI to forecast demand, optimize pricing, and improve customer engagement through seamless technology integration. Kai also discusses the company's innovative approach to partnerships and the adaptability needed to succeed across diverse global markets.

940: Shaleen Devgun, Chief Innovation and Technology Officer at Schneider National, joins Technovation to share how the company is transforming logistics through innovation, sustainability, and advanced technology. In this episode, Shaleen discusses Schneider's Scope 23 platform, a groundbreaking solution to decarbonize supply chains, and the role of Packerland Ventures in investing in startups that are redefining logistics and transportation management. He also delves into how generative AI is optimizing human decision-making and operational efficiency, as well as the impact of The Grove, Schneider's innovation hub in Green Bay, which attracts talent and fosters collaboration to solve critical industry challenges. This episode is a must-listen for technology executives and rising leaders eager to explore how innovation is reshaping logistics and supply chains for a sustainable future.

939: Dmitri Alperovitch, co-founder of CrowdStrike and the Silverado Policy Accelerator, joins Technovation to explore the U.S.-China geopolitical rivalry and the rise of a second Cold War. In his latest book, World on the Brink: How America Can Beat China in the Race for the 21st Century, Dmitri outlines the critical need for the U.S. to dominate key technological industries, strengthen alliances, and focus strategically on the Indo-Pacific region to deter China's ambitions. He also discusses parallels between today's geopolitical tensions and the Cold War with the Soviet Union, as well as Taiwan's emergence as a pivotal flashpoint.

938: Kristy Folkwein, Chief Information Officer of Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), shares how she has driven a comprehensive digital transformation at one of the world's largest food supply companies. From consolidating processes with S4 to leveraging generative AI for flavor innovation, Kristy explains the importance of data-driven decision-making and creating a digital-first culture. In this episode of Technovation, host Peter High interviews Kristy about her strategic approach to using data and AI to unlock operational efficiencies, safeguard proprietary information, and promote experimentation across the organization. Kristy also discusses the challenges of balancing innovation with managing cybersecurity risks, navigating subscription-based technologies, and building a sustainable digital culture.

937: In this episode of Technovation, Peter High speaks with Joe Park, President of Digital and Restaurant Technology Ecosystem and Chief Digital and Technology Officer at Yum! Brands. Joe discusses Yum!'s incredible journey from 19% to over 50% digital sales in just a few years, fueled by innovations in proprietary technologies and AI-first strategies. He shares insights into how the company has built and scaled an integrated technology ecosystem—referred to as “Restaurant in a Box”—to empower franchisees and enhance the customer experience globally. Joe also highlights Yum!'s strategic use of generative AI and voice AI to streamline operations, reduce team member attrition, and improve restaurant operations. Additionally, he delves into leadership training initiatives, including an AI and digital mindset curriculum developed in partnership with Harvard Business School, to prepare Yum!'s leaders for the digital future.

936: Medtronic CIO Rashmi Kumar discusses her leadership in advancing digital transformation for one of the world's largest healthcare technology companies. Rashmi shares how hyperautomation, artificial intelligence, and robotic-assisted surgery are reshaping patient care and operational efficiency. She also highlights Medtronic's recent establishment of a global IT center in Hyderabad and her journey to joining the board of Myriad Genetics. In this episode of Technovation, host Peter High explores Rashmi's unconventional path from metallurgical engineering to technology leadership, the cultural changes needed to foster innovation, and the role of AI in the future of healthcare. Rashmi also delves into Medtronic's use of generative AI for internal operations and product innovation, including its transformative impact on patient care and global healthcare access.

935: In this episode of Technovation, Peter High speaks with Soumya Seetharam, Chief Digital and Information Officer of Corning, a 170-year-old material science innovator. Soumya discusses her dual role in leading IT operations and driving digital transformation, focusing on reducing technical debt, democratizing technology, and implementing AI-powered solutions like Corning GPT and GenAI operator assistants. Learn how Corning is harnessing data and AI to stay at the forefront of innovation and efficiency.

934: Fraud is constantly evolving, but leveraging data accelerates understanding and adaptation to changes in the environment. In this episode of Technovation, Peter High interviews Prem Natarajan, EVP, Chief Scientist and Head of Enterprise AI at Capital One. Prem delves into how Capital One is leveraging AI to revolutionize financial services, with applications ranging from fraud detection to customer service enhancements. Discover how the company's vibrant tech culture and partnerships with academia fuel innovation, and learn why Prem believes diverse perspectives are critical in shaping the future of AI.