1045: AI is no longer a side experiment—it’s a core capability. But are your people, partnerships, and governance models ready for it?

In this special Metis Strategy Summit panel episode, three seasoned technology leaders explore what it really takes to build trust, scale talent, and lead responsibly in the age of AI:

• Paul Ballew, Chief Data & Analytics Officer, National Football League

• Lakshman Nathan, EVP & CIO, Paramount

• Mark Sherwood, EVP & CIO, Wolters Kluwer

Moderated by Peter High, the conversation dives into transformation through the lens of distributed governance, workforce readiness, and the human element behind every AI ambition.

Key themes from the panel include:

• How the NFL’s “One-to-One” fan engagement model blends personalization and privacy

• What happens when $2B in savings depends on department-level AI strategy (Paramount)

• Why “value realization” starts with your CFO and ends with trust (Wolters Kluwer)

• The limits of centralization—and why distributed innovation may win out

• How to balance Copilot rollouts with responsible AI guardrails

What happens when a former startup CEO brings performance management discipline into city government?

In this episode of Technovation, Peter High speaks with San José Mayor Matt Mahan about applying data-driven decision-making, KPIs, and accountability—practices familiar to tech leaders—to the public sector. Drawing from his experience running venture-backed startups, Mahan explains how focus, measurement, and feedback loops are reshaping how City Hall operates.

Key topics include:

• Applying startup-style performance management to government
• Using dashboards and metrics to improve accountability
• Prioritizing outcomes over activity
• Leveraging AI to improve city services at scale
• Building a workforce ready to use new technology responsibly

What does it really take to design for resilience in an AI-first world?

In this panel from the Metis Strategy Summit, Amtrak CDO Judith Apshago, GE Aerospace CIO David Burns, and Zoetis CDTO Keith Sarbaugh explore how resilient infrastructure is becoming the backbone of enterprise trust, uptime, and AI scalability.

Tune in to learn how these leaders are:

• Responding to cloud outages and software disruption in real time
• Building AI literacy, governance, and use-case portfolios at scale
• Extending cyber defense and IT support to vulnerable supply chain partners
• Using edge computing and sensors to enable predictive diagnostics
• Converging IT and OT teams to enhance infrastructure intelligence

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.

• FreshAi: The AI-powered drive-thru system redefining QSR efficiency.
• 40% Digital Growth: How Wendy’s revamped CRM and mobile experience is driving revenue.
• AI-Driven Innovation: Wendy’s framework for testing, iterating, and rejecting 6 out of 7 ideas.
• The Future of AI in QSR: Edge computing, spatial computing & what’s next for digital transformation.

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.

Key Topics:

• AI, Automation & Innovation – How MetLife is using AI to drive operational efficiency
• Cybersecurity & Risk Management – Protecting a $67B enterprise from digital threats
• Customer-Centric Digital Transformation – Why personalized, tech-enabled service is the future of insurance
• Leadership & Workforce Development – How to build an agile, innovative global team

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.

Highlights:

• The shift from technology distribution to platform ecosystems
• AI-driven automation and agentic AI in B2B operations
• The Xvantage platform and its impact on channel partners and vendors
• Leadership philosophy: Why vulnerability and adaptability matter in digital transformation
• How Ingram Micro is shaping the future of B2B commerce

952: Regal Rexnord CDIO Tim Dickson joins Peter High to discuss how the $6B industrial manufacturing leader is driving digital transformation. Tim shares insights on leveraging AI, cloud, and e-commerce to enhance operations and customer experience. He also discusses the company’s generative AI initiatives, including chatbots for internal and customer interactions, and how Regal Rexnord is embracing data-driven innovation.

• AI & Digital Strategy: How Regal Rexnord is using AI to optimize operations
• E-Commerce & CX: The role of digital in enhancing customer experience
• Generative AI & Automation: The impact of AI-driven chatbots like RRXy and RRXGPT
• Leadership & Growth: Tim’s approach to building a digital-first culture

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.

Key Highlights:

• The breakup of AT&T and how it created modern telecom.
• How fiber optics and broadband became the foundation of the internet.
• The boom-bust cycle of innovation and how it applies to AI and quantum today.
• Why quantum computing and space tech will reshape industries from cybersecurity to finance.
• How ambitious professionals can ride the next tech wave.

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.

Key Topics:

• AI-Driven Financial Services – Using AI and real-time analytics to enhance customer experiences.
• Cloud & DevSecOps – How Bread Financial is retiring mainframes and embracing public cloud for scalability.
• Workforce Reskilling & Agile Transformation – Investing in cloud & AI training while rethinking the way teams work.
• Diversity & Inclusion in Tech – Creating high-performing teams with diverse perspectives and problem-solving approaches.
• The Future of AI in Finance – How Bread Financial balances AI automation with human decision-making.

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.

Highlights:

• How AI & data are driving New York Life’s customer and agent experience
• The four pillars of AI strategy: data foundation, insights, culture & experience
• The role of AI in transforming traditional industries
• Don’s reflections on the evolution of data leadership

How does the world’s largest logistics real estate company stay ahead of rapid growth and disruption?

Prologis CTO Sineesh Keshav joins Peter High to discuss how the global logistics real estate leader is leveraging AI, automation, and proprietary data to drive efficiency, sustainability, and business expansion. Sineesh shares insights into Prologis’ rapid growth, $220 billion in assets under management, and its transition into energy, EV charging, and smart buildings. He also explains the company’s 100% cloud-based strategy, how AI is embedded into decision-making, and the role of data-driven innovation in scaling global logistics operations.

• AI & Automation in Logistics – How Prologis is embedding AI into decision-making.
• Scaling Growth with Data – Leveraging proprietary data to drive operational efficiency.
• Energy & Sustainability – Becoming the 2nd largest solar producer in the U.S.
• Tech-Driven Expansion – Why M&A strategy and digital transformation are critical to Prologis’ success.

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.

Comerica Bank COO Megan Crespi joins Peter High to discuss the bank’s digital transformation strategy, AI adoption, and customer-centric innovation. Megan shares insights on Comerica’s cloud migration journey, investments in AI-powered risk management, and how the bank is modernizing operations to enhance customer experience. She also delves into cybersecurity strategies for the quantum computing era and lessons from her leadership roles at Ally Bank and General Motors.

Highlights:

• Digital Transformation at Comerica: Moving 80% of applications to the cloud and modernizing banking infrastructure.
• AI in Banking: How AI and analytics are enhancing customer insights, security, and operations.
• Cybersecurity & Quantum Computing: Preparing for next-gen security threats.
• Customer-Centric Innovation: Improving digital banking, payments, and self-service experiences.

1036: What does it mean to manage a digital workforce?

In this episode of Technovation, we feature a panel from our most recent Metis Strategy Summit where three top executives explore how AI is reshaping work, both automating tasks, and changing the nature of management itself.

Peter High speaks with:

• Jennifer Charters, Chief Information Officer at Lincoln Financial
• Prasanna Gopalakrishnan, Chief Product & AI Officer at ADP
• Daniel Marcu, Global Head of AI Engineering at Goldman Sachs

Together, they discuss:

• Why AI agents require new thinking about team structure and oversight
• How CIOs and CHROs must partner to build enterprise AI fluency
• The risks of shadow AI and the need for secure platforms
• How habit loops and performance incentives impact AI adoption
• What it takes to balance innovation speed with organizational readiness

In a panel from last year’s Metis Strategy Summit, Royal Caribbean’s CIO Martha Poulter and Avis Budget Group’s Chief Digital and Innovation Officer Ravi Simhambhatla share how they’re harnessing AI to transform customer experiences and operations. During the discussion, these executives explore how AI-driven personalization boosts conversions, the role of predictive models in operational efficiency, and the importance of blending digital and physical realities. From improving asset utilization to reducing waste and empowering employees, discover how these industry leaders are shaping the future of travel and hospitality.

Highlights include:

• AI-powered vacation planning at Royal Caribbean: Simplifying complex customer journeys.
• Avis Budget Group’s innovative use of predictive AI models to optimize fleet utilization.
• Operational excellence: Transforming food waste and sustainability challenges into data solutions.
• The intersection of technology and customer satisfaction in travel and hospitality.”

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.

Highlights include:

• CTO Role Evolution: Discussion on CTO 3.0, focusing on AI practices, solution development, and client collaboration.
• AI Strategy: Details of Unisys’s AI training program and its integration into internal and client solutions.
• Customer Collaboration: Insights into leveraging client partnerships to enhance solutions and strategy.
• Generative AI & Ethical Guidelines: Highlights of AI use cases, Unisys’s AI acceptable use policy, and future integration.
• Board Membership: Reflections on serving as a board member and its influence on his operational role.

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 and digital innovation to lead in the semiconductor space.

Highlights include:

• Digital Threads: Explanation of the framework and seven defined threads, such as idea-to-market and silica-to-chip.
• AI in Action: Use of large language models for customer engagement and support optimization.
• Cultural Shifts: Emphasis on flexibility, change readiness, and breaking down silos in IT leadership.

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.

Highlights include:

• Greyhound Acquisition: Merging legacy and innovation for transformation.
• AI-Driven Operations: Forecasting demand and optimizing efficiency.
• Customer-Facing Technology: Enhancing satisfaction with real-time updates.
• Sustainability Focus: Promoting greener travel alternatives.
• Leadership Insights: Structuring teams for innovation and growth.

Fifth Third Bancorp CIO Jude Schramm shares how he has spearheaded a comprehensive digital transformation over the past seven years, positioning the bank for growth, resilience, and innovation. Jude discusses the modernization of IT infrastructure, the integration of AI tools for employees and customers, and the bank’s strategic fintech acquisitions, such as Rise Money, to advance in embedded finance. He also delves into the evolution of customer experience, emphasizing a blend of human and digital interactions to meet modern banking needs. Additionally, Jude reflects on lessons from his tenure at GE, including the importance of leadership development and applying Lean Six Sigma principles to technology and business processes.

Highlights include:

• Modernization and Resilience: Jude explains how Fifth Third upgraded its infrastructure, migrated to cloud-based systems, and established a robust foundation for scalability.
• AI for Transformation: The discussion explores the four pillars of AI at Fifth Third: for employees, engineers, business processes, and customers.
• Customer Experience Evolution: How the bank enhanced its mobile app, enabling 500+ updates in 2024 and creating seamless digital banking experiences.
• Talent Development: Strategies for building an engineering-centric IT workforce, including reskilling programs and partnerships for nontraditional hires.
• Fintech Acquisitions: Insights into how acquisitions like Rise Money and Provide have accelerated the bank’s entry into embedded finance and healthcare verticals.
• Governance and Innovation: The balance between adopting generative AI and ensuring regulatory compliance in a banking context.
• Lessons from GE: Jude reflects on the leadership training and Six Sigma practices that shaped his approach to problem-solving and innovation.

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.

Highlights include:

• Scope 23 and Decarbonization: Shaleen explains how Scope 23 enables companies to proactively reduce greenhouse gas emissions in their supply chains today.
• Packerland Ventures: Schneider’s corporate venture fund invests in transformative technologies like Platform Science and Mastery Logistics to redefine logistics and transportation management.
• Generative AI in Logistics: Shaleen discusses how Schneider is piloting generative AI solutions to enhance human decision-making and operational efficiency.
• The Grove Innovation Hub: Located on Schneider’s Green Bay campus, The Grove attracts entrepreneurs and fosters collaboration to tackle industry-wide challenges.
• Leadership Philosophy: Shaleen shares how Schneider’s innovation culture is embedded in its DNA and how the company’s “corporate athletes” drive transformative change.

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.

Highlights include:

• The Second Cold War: Dmitri compares U.S.-China tensions to the Cold War with the Soviet Union, emphasizing the striking similarities and the critical role of Taiwan in the current geopolitical landscape.
• Winning the Innovation Race: The discussion focuses on the importance of U.S. leadership in AI, biotech, clean energy, and aerospace to maintain global power.
• Lessons from Ukraine: Dmitri reflects on Russia’s cyber operations in the Ukraine war and the implications for U.S. companies and global cybersecurity.
• The Role of Cybersecurity in Modern Warfare: Insights into how cyber operations have become a cornerstone of geopolitical strategy, from espionage to infrastructure disruption.
• North Korea’s Cyber Prowess: A deep dive into how North Korea is innovating in cyber operations to fund its missile programs and achieve strategic goals.
• Xi Jinping’s Legacy: Dmitri examines Xi’s ambitions to surpass Mao Zedong’s legacy and the potential for a Chinese invasion of Taiwan in the coming decade.

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.

Highlights include:

• Digital Transformation at Scale: Kristy outlines ADM’s strategy to modernize processes, standardize operations, and enhance agility with S4.
• AI in Action: Examples include flavor innovation with generative AI and capturing tribal knowledge in manufacturing.
• Protecting Proprietary Data: How ADM navigates the risks of adopting AI while ensuring data security and aligning innovation with business goals.
• Fostering a Digital Culture: Initiatives like ‘Feast Your Mind’ tech talks and success storytelling to encourage adoption of new technologies.
• Future Trends and Concerns: Kristy highlights emerging technologies like edge AI and machine vision while addressing the challenges of the subscription model shift and cybersecurity.

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.

Highlights include:

• Digital Transformation at Scale: Joe discusses Yum! Brands’ evolution from 19% to over 50% digital sales and the deployment of kiosks across its restaurants.
• Restaurant in a Box: How Yum! Brands integrates proprietary technologies into a seamless platform for franchisees.
• AI-Driven Operations: The use of voice AI and Dragontail to enhance efficiency and employee satisfaction.
• AI and Digital Leadership Training: A Harvard-led curriculum to equip Yum!’s top 200 leaders with AI skills.
• Team Member Empowerment: How tools like the SuperApp digitize and simplify daily routines for restaurant managers.
• Centralized vs. Decentralized Governance: Balancing global and brand-specific needs for scalability.

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.

Highlights include:

• Hyperautomation at Scale: Rashmi explains Medtronic’s AI-powered chatbots and machine learning models that drive operational efficiency and predictive analytics.
• The Hyderabad IT Center: Insights into Medtronic’s global talent strategy and its focus on cloud engineering, cybersecurity, and AI.
• AI in Healthcare: How Medtronic is using AI for robotic-assisted surgery and imaging to improve diagnostics and patient outcomes.
• Leadership Lessons: Rashmi reflects on the importance of aligning IT goals with business outcomes and fostering a culture of innovation.
• Path to Board Membership: Her journey to joining the board of Myriad Genetics and how it has expanded her professional perspective.
• Future Trends: Rashmi shares her vision for the future of healthcare technology and its potential to reach underserved populations worldwide.

Our broadcast today features a panel from our most recent Metis Strategy Summit on the topic of Delivering the Product Operating Model (and Mindset) at Scale.

In this panel episode, we explore the limits and lessons of scaling the product operating model. Sal Companieh (Cushman & Wakefield), Jim Fowler (Nationwide), and Diane Schwarz (Smurfit WestRock) reflect on where product thinking thrives and where it breaks down.

Here are 5 takeaways from their candid discussion:

• Why “readiness” must come before model
• The risks of forcing product teams into fragmented structures
• When to co-create with business leaders—and when to slow down
• How agile funding models can clash with CapEx culture
• What to do when the organization “doesn’t want the service”

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.

Highlights include:

• Corning GPT: A secure private instance of OpenAI for enterprise innovation.
• GenAI in Manufacturing: Revolutionizing operations with AI-driven assistants.
• Technical Debt Strategy: Retiring legacy systems for clean data and agility.
• Data-Centric AI Strategy: Plans for advancing Corning’s digital footprint in 2025.

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.

Highlights include:

• AI-Powered Fraud Prevention: How real-time data analytics and machine learning protect customers.
• Generative AI Applications: Enabling developers and call center agents with Gen AI tools.
• Responsible AI Partnerships: Multi-year collaborations with universities like Columbia and USC to explore ethical AI use cases.
• Innovation Culture: How events like SECON and Data Week foster tech collaboration and growth.
• Diversity in AI Development: The importance of diverse perspectives in AI lifecycle stage

933: Through advanced data and AI, healthcare companies are transforming care with precision health, delivering earlier diagnoses and personalized treatments. At Illumina, CIO Carissa Rollins is leading the charge, modernizing the tech stack to power the future of precision health. In this episode of Technovation, Carissa discusses how technology is reshaping genomics, sharing her efforts to streamline IT, foster AI innovation, and tackle global challenges like cancer and rare diseases. Host Peter High explores Carissa’s journey to becoming a CIO, her leadership in change management, and her vision for advancing precision health.

Highlights include:

• Modernizing Technology: How Illumina is eliminating redundancies and driving organizational growth with a modernized IT landscape.
• Global Capability Centers: The launch of Illumina’s India GCC to enable 24/7 operations and scale innovation.
• AI Governance and Personalization: Ensuring ethical AI use and leveraging it for breakthroughs in personalized medicine.
• Leadership and Board Membership: Carissa’s boardroom experience and its impact on her CIO role.
• Precision Health and Genomics: The future of healthcare through genomics, addressing critical diseases, and improving patient outcomes.

932: Customer loyalty is a key metric for success in retail, prompting companies to leverage AI to optimize customer engagement. In this episode of Technovation, Peter High interviews Sharmeelee Bala, Chief Information Officer and Head of Product Management at JCPenney, to explore how she is enhancing customer engagement and the transformative role AI plays in this process.

Highlights include:

• Customer-Centric Innovation: Sharmeelee discusses how JCPenney creates seamless experiences tailored to customer preferences.
• AI and Data Strategy: She explains the role of clean, consolidated data in improving decision-making and how AI augments both employee productivity and customer insights.
• Next-Gen POS Systems: Learn about JCPenney’s mobile-first POS systems pilot, designed to enhance in-store shopping experiences.
• Loyalty Program Relaunch: The revamped rewards program strengthens customer engagement with benefits like “Cash Passes.”
• Retail from the Customer Perspective: Sharmeelee shares how her personal experience as a customer informs her leadership in retail innovation.

931: Transitioning from project to product thinking is more than an operational change—it’s a mindset shift. In this episode of Technovation, host Peter High speaks with Dak Liyanearachchi (CTO, NRG Energy), Arthur Hu (Global CIO, Lenovo), and Mike Anderson (CIO, Netskope) about how their organizations are embracing this evolution. The discussion spans the challenges of aligning business capabilities, fostering cross-functional teams, and developing leadership for a product-driven future.

Highlights include:

• From Projects to Products: Transitioning to agile and product-focused models that enhance collaboration and deliver enterprise-wide innovation.
• Transformation Offices: How these structures act as enablers for integrating technology, data, and business functions for strategic alignment.
• Building Cross-Functional Teams: Developing “fusion teams” to break down silos and streamline operations.
• Developing Product Owners: The importance of identifying and nurturing leaders to take ownership of digital and technology products.
• The Role of AI in Innovation: Exploring how AI and Generative AI are reshaping enterprise operations and the customer experience.

930: The role of digital and technology leaders is rapidly evolving, with executive recruiters discussing how advancements like AI are redefining their titles, responsibilities, and organizational impact globally. In this episode of Technovation, we feature a panel from our 2024 Metis Strategy Summit with executive recruiters Katie Graham Shannon (Heidrick & Struggles), Art Hopkins (Russell Reynolds), and Henry Man (Candela Search) who explore how technology executive roles are changing in title, scope, and influence. The panel, moderated by Metis Strategy’s Steven Norton, delves into the shifting dynamics of leadership and discusses the implications for organizations worldwide.

Highlights include:

• CIO Role Evolution: The panel explores how technology leaders are moving closer to the CEO, taking on broader responsibilities like cultural transformation and value creation.
• AI’s Leadership Impact: Discussion on how AI is reshaping leadership, with roles focusing on business disruption rather than purely technical oversight.
• Global Leadership Trends: Insights into differences between US and European leadership cultures, including compensation, risk-taking, and reporting lines.
• Technology Leaders on Boards: Analyzing the growing trend of CIOs joining corporate boards and the critical business acumen required.
• Recruiter Relationships and Interview Tips: Practical advice on building meaningful recruiter connections and standing out in executive interview processes.

929: In this episode of Technovation, we feature a panel from our 2024 Metis Strategy Summit with panelists Nick Parrotta (CDIO & President of Digital Transformation Solutions at HARMAN Intl.), Bonnie Titone (CAO of Duke Energy), and Pritha Mehra (CIO of USPS) where they discuss their insights into leading large-scale modernization efforts. The conversation spans diverse industries—automotive, energy, and logistics—exploring how these leaders balance innovation with the challenges of legacy systems and crisis management.

Highlights include:

• USPS’s Cloud Strategy: Pritha Mehra details USPS’s hybrid cloud approach and its role in transforming the organization’s 950 legacy applications into efficient, scalable solutions.
• Clean Energy Transition: Bonnie Titone explains Duke Energy’s use of cloud-based grid planning tools to support its clean energy goals and manage disaster preparedness with tools like drones and Scout.
• Personalized Digital Experiences: Nick Parrotta discusses how HARMAN integrates AI and cloud technologies to deliver cutting-edge customer experiences in automotive and consumer audio.
• Crisis Management at Scale: Stories of leadership and innovation, from USPS’s COVID-19 test kit distribution to Duke Energy’s hurricane response.
• Building Cultures of Curiosity: Strategies for fostering innovation, enabling teams to adopt emerging technologies, and bridging the gap between legacy and modern systems.

As the role of CIO continues to evolve as a strategic partner to the business, many CIOs are emerging as strong contenders for CEO positions. In a panel discussion from the 2024 Metis Strategy Summit, Alorica Co-CEOs Mike Clifton and Max Schwendner sit down with Peter High to discuss their leadership journeys—Mike’s transition from CIO to CEO and Max’s progression from CFO to Co-CEO. They delve into how their complementary expertise in technology and finance fuels innovation at Alorica. Additionally, the conversation highlights the transformative power of AI in customer experience (CX) and the bold strategies Alorica employs to disrupt its own business model for future growth.

Highlights include:

• From CIO to CEO: Mike Clifton shares how his experience as a CIO prepared him for his role as Co-CEO, emphasizing the importance of technology leadership and inspiring teams.
• Co-CEO Collaboration: Mike and Max discuss how they divide responsibilities while maintaining a unified leadership approach, leveraging their complementary expertise.
• AI Innovations in CX: Alorica’s cutting-edge advancements in AI, including real-time voice translation and dialect neutralization, are transforming customer interactions and operational efficiency.
• MetaHuman AVA: Introduction of AVA, a bespoke AI solution tailored for Alorica’s clients, capable of delivering human-like interactions to enhance customer service.
• Disruptive Innovation: The necessity of cannibalizing existing business models to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving industry.
• Future of AI in Business: Insights into how AI is enabling new opportunities for efficiency, customer satisfaction, and revenue generation across industries.

927: Operationalizing AI offers transformative potential but requires organizations to adopt “responsible AI” practices that ensure transparency, accountability, legality, and ethics. In this episode of Technovation, host Peter High speaks with three influential leaders—Ed McLaughlin, CTO and President at MasterCard, Marina Bellini, President of Global Business Services at Mars, and John Russell, CIO at Northrop Grumman—about the critical role of responsible AI in driving innovation while maintaining ethical and regulatory integrity. Moderated by Alex Kraus, the panel unpacks how companies across industries can balance business value with accountability, leveraging AI responsibly for global impact.

Highlights include:

• Responsible AI Frameworks: The panel shares how organizations like Mars, MasterCard, and Northrop Grumman are developing governance models that ensure AI aligns with corporate values and global regulations.
• Balancing Innovation and Risk: Insights into navigating the risk-reward trade-off by focusing on scalable AI applications that enhance productivity, minimize bias, and reduce operational risks.
• Ethics at the Core of AI: Ed McLaughlin emphasizes that ethics must guide innovation, with AI only adding value when it upholds organizational principles and consumer trust.
• AI Scalability and Validation: Techniques like MasterCard’s “silent mode validation” to test AI in real-time environments and prevent concept drift, ensuring robust performance at scale.
• Navigating Global Regulations: Marina Bellini and John Russell discuss the challenges of adapting AI practices to comply with international regulatory frameworks while maintaining organizational principles.
• The Future of AI in Defense and Business: John Russell explores how ethical constraints drive innovation in the aerospace and defense sectors, while Ed McLaughlin warns against over-restricting AI technologies.

926: As organizations navigate the future of work and technology, leaders are rethinking how to recruit, retain, and upskill talent to drive innovation. In this episode of Technovation, we feature a panel discussion from our 2024 Metis Strategy Summit with Soumya Seetharam (Chief Digital and Information Officer, Corning), Teddy Bekele (Chief Technology Officer, Land O’Lakes), and Tigran Khrimian (Chief Technology and Engineering Officer, FINRA). Moderated by Peter High, the conversation highlights practical strategies for developing next-generation operating models and integrating emerging technologies into the workforce.

Highlights include:

• Global Talent Hubs: Soumya discusses Corning’s strategic creation of digital hubs worldwide to access diverse talent pools and align operations with business needs.
• AI and Data-Driven Insights: Tigran shares FINRA’s groundbreaking use of AI to process exabytes of data and maintain market integrity.
• Fusion Teams for Agility: Teddy reveals Land O’Lakes’ approach to embedding IT talent within business functions for deeper collaboration and innovation.
• Rotational Programs for Skill Development: Soumya explains how Corning’s mid-career rotational programs build leadership and broaden expertise.
• Generative AI’s Impact on Programming: Tigran explores the transformative potential of AI, including the idea of English as a programming language.
• Citizen Development: Insights on empowering non-technical employees to leverage low-code/no-code tools safely and effectively.

What if the most defensible companies of the AI era aren’t the ones building the infrastructure—but the ones using it to rethink workflows?

In this Technoventure episode, Peter High speaks with Jamie Montgomery, Founder and Managing Partner of March Capital, about why the firm is investing heavily in the AI application layer—not chips, not clouds, but the companies delivering real task-based outcomes.

Key topics explored:

• Why workflow-based moats beat data moats in the new venture cycle

• How application-layer companies are scaling faster with leaner GTM

• The ripple effects of AI CapEx on the U.S. economy and tax base

• March Capital’s bets on open-source LLMs and scientific discovery

• Why Montgomery believes AI “bailed out” the U.S. and VC industry alike

925: As organizations increasingly experiment with AI, technology leaders are turning their attention to demonstrating how these tools can deliver tangible returns for the business. In this episode of Technovation, we feature a panel from our 2024 Metis Strategy Summit where Rob Alexander (CIO, Capital One), Katya Andresen (Chief Digital and Analytics Officer, Cigna), and Nitin Tandon (CIO, Vanguard) discuss how their organizations are advancing data strategy and extracting measurable value from AI initiatives. Moderated by Chris Davis (Partner and West Coast Office Lead, Metis Strategy), the conversation highlights real-world insights and provides actionable advice for technology leaders on how to measure AI’s business value, identify initiatives that will drive the greatest impact inside their organizations, and ensure a strong data strategy to guide it all.

Highlights include:

• Cloud Infrastructure for AI Readiness: Panelists emphasize the critical role of cloud adoption as the foundation for scalable AI strategies and innovation.
• AI and Business ROI: The group explores frameworks for identifying high-impact AI use cases and measuring their value, from productivity gains to cost reductions.
• Generative AI in Action: Examples of how Generative AI is transforming customer service, developer productivity, and predictive analytics in their organizations.
• Human-Centric Product Mindset: Insights on embedding a human-focused, outcome-driven approach to AI development and deployment.
• Data Strategy and Governance: Practical steps for creating AI-ready data ecosystems while balancing experimentation with structured governance.
• Cross-Industry Lessons: Rob, Katya, and Nitin share their unique perspectives on leveraging AI to drive transformation in large-scale, data-intensive businesses.

With the global economic outlook in flux, companies worldwide are preparing for scenarios that could redefine their technology adoption strategies. In a fireside chat at our 2024 Metis Strategy Summit in NYC, George Lee, Co-Head of the Goldman Sachs Global Institute, shares his insights with Peter High on how technology and business leaders can position their organizations for readiness and resilience amid uncertainty.

Highlights include:

• Supply Chain Resilience Amid Geopolitical Complexity: George emphasizes the critical need for companies to bolster supply chain resilience in response to global geopolitical shifts. He highlights how these changes are pushing companies to rethink their strategies to ensure stability and agility.
• AI as a National Strategic Asset: The conversation dives into AI’s evolution from a technological tool to a national strategic asset, with George exploring its implications for productivity, culture, and national defense in a rapidly advancing digital landscape.
• Focus on Inflection Points Over Predictions: George introduces the concept of planning around “inflection points” instead of relying solely on predictions, encouraging leaders to proactively navigate pivotal moments that could redefine their industries.
• Enterprise AI and the Productivity Paradox: George discusses the “productivity paradox” seen in AI’s adoption within enterprises, noting the discrepancy between AI’s rapid advancements and its slower integration into enterprise workflows.
• Superintelligence vs. Super Automation: The discussion distinguishes between the concepts of superintelligence and super automation, examining the different impacts each could have on future economies and labor markets.
• Insights from Global Conversations: George shares how the Goldman Sachs Global Institute gathers and refines insights from dialogues with global leaders, using these insights to guide clients through geopolitical and economic complexities.
• Challenges in Adopting New Technology: Drawing on his experience as a former CIO, George addresses the practical challenges organizations face when implementing advanced technologies, underscoring the importance of strong frameworks and patience in driving enterprise adoption.

In their latest book, All Hands on Tech, Babson College Professor Tom Davenport and automation pioneer Ian Barkin explore how citizen development is transforming the workplace. In this episode of Technovation, Peter High interviews Tom and Ian about the core concepts of their book, covering the rise of citizen developers, the role of governance frameworks, and real-world case studies that demonstrate the impact of democratizing technology.

Highlights include:

• Citizen Development: Tom and Ian define citizen development as the democratization of IT, allowing non-technical employees to create applications and automations, empowering them to drive meaningful change within their organizations.
• Digital Transformation: They explain why citizen development is a critical ingredient in digital transformation, providing organizations with the agility to respond faster and innovate continuously.
• 4G Framework for Governance: The 4G Framework—Genesis, Governance, Guidance, Guardrails—offers a structure for responsibly supporting citizen development, ensuring scalability and mitigating technical debt.
• Amtrak and Shell Case Studies: The authors share insights from Amtrak’s individual-led development and Shell’s structured DIY movement as examples of successful grassroots innovation.
• Generative AI & Low-Code Tools: Tools like Microsoft’s Power Platform and generative AI enable non-technical users to develop software and solutions, fostering a culture of innovation from all levels within an organization.
• Future of Work and Citizen Development: Tom and Ian discuss the future of work, where employees with domain expertise play an increasing role in technology initiatives, bridging gaps between IT and business for collaborative innovation.

922: Artificial intelligence has enabled software developers to significantly boost productivity by automating tedious tasks and improving code quality across complex projects. In this episode of Technovation, host Peter High speaks with Scott Dietzen, CEO of Augment, about how Augment’s AI platform is changing how software teams collaborate, making it easier for developers to work efficiently and creatively. Scott shares how Augment’s AI sets itself apart by deeply understanding the codebase and architecture of each team, providing tailored support beyond coding tools from the tech giants.

Highlights include:

• Codebase Intelligence and Team Collaboration: Scott explains how Augment’s AI goes beyond generating code; it learns from your team’s specific codebase and workflows, fostering enhanced collaboration and efficiency.
• Competing with Microsoft: The discussion dives into Augment’s strategy for taking on Microsoft Copilot, emphasizing specialized AI that deeply understands complex code repositories, enabling faster problem-solving and greater project continuity.
• Productivity Gains and ROI: Scott shares examples of customers who have doubled their productivity and reduced their software backlogs, demonstrating the strong ROI and value Augment delivers to enterprises.
• Human-AI Collaboration: Scott reflects on the future of software engineering, highlighting how Augment’s approach is about augmenting human capabilities rather than replacing them, giving developers more freedom to focus on creative problem-solving.
• The Future of AI in Software Development: Scott offers insights into the potential for AI to reshape the software development landscape, emphasizing the importance of continued innovation and specialization to stay ahead of industry giants.

921: Picking up a rental car is often the final step in a traveler’s journey, making it a pivotal moment where technology can transform the customer’s overall experience. In this episode of Technovation, host Peter High interviews Ravi Simhambhatla, Executive Vice President and Chief Digital and Innovation Officer at Avis Budget Group, about his approach to driving digital transformation and customer-centric innovation within a global car rental company. Ravi shares how he and his team are enhancing every touchpoint of the customer journey through AI-driven self-service tools, dynamic pricing, and real-time personalization.

Highlights include:

• Customer-Centric Digital Transformation: Ravi discusses the modernization efforts underway at Avis Budget Group, including a focus on cloud migration and the integration of AI to create frictionless customer experiences.
• Dynamic Pricing and Personalization: Using data-driven insights, Avis Budget Group tailors offers to individual customer profiles, aiming to maximize satisfaction and optimize revenue through strategic dynamic pricing.
• Generative AI in Operations: Ravi describes how AI-based damage detection and chatbots for customer support improve efficiency and transparency, reducing customer disputes and response times.
• Autonomous Vehicles and Future Innovation: Ravi shares his vision for autonomous vehicles in car rentals, detailing a future where customers can seamlessly locate and receive their vehicles upon arrival at airports, further enhancing convenience.
• Employee Enablement: Emphasizing the value of frontline employees, Ravi highlights efforts to equip staff with tools that enhance their ability to serve customers efficiently, ensuring customer satisfaction from arrival to vehicle return.

Ulta Beauty has positioned itself as an industry leader by merging in-store and digital experiences for a seamless, personalized customer experience. In this episode of Technovation, Peter High speaks with Ulta Beauty’s Chief Technology and Information Officer Mike Maresca on the company’s digital transformation, cloud expansion, and omni-centric strategy. Mike shares insights on how Ulta’s GlamLab enables virtual try-ons and how data and AI drive hyper-personalization for Ulta’s 44 million loyalty members.

Highlights include:

• Digital Transformation and Omni-Centric Strategy: Mike shares how Ulta Beauty is investing in multi-cloud infrastructure and agile development to build a connected experience across online and in-store channels.
• Hyper-Personalization Through Data and AI: Ulta’s approach to creating personalized customer experiences leverages a modern data platform, enabling customized product recommendations, loyalty rewards, and shopping experiences.
• GlamLab and Virtual Try-Ons: Using augmented reality, Ulta’s GlamLab allows customers to try on products virtually, blending digital convenience with a tactile shopping experience.
• Talent and Agile Innovation: Mike emphasizes the importance of fostering a learning culture through Ulta University and empowering fusion teams that bring business, product, and IT closer together.
• Expansion into Mexico: Announcing Ulta Beauty’s international expansion into Mexico in 2025, Mike provides a glimpse into the company’s future growth strategy.
• Automation and Supply Chain Efficiency: Through robotic automation in distribution centers, Ulta is optimizing fulfillment accuracy and scaling to meet seasonal demand, enhancing overall operational efficiency.

919: NYU Stern Professor Aswath Damodaran explains in his latest book, The Corporate Life Cycle, that companies must adapt their strategies and leadership styles to match their stage in the corporate life cycle, whether it’s embracing visionary leaders to drive growth during startup phases or appointing pragmatic managers to steer the company through periods of decline. In this episode of Technovation, host Peter High interviews Aswath about the core concepts of his book, exploring how companies experience growth, maturity, and decline just like humans. He offers insights on aligning leadership styles to different stages of a company’s life cycle and shares examples of companies like Microsoft and Apple that have successfully rejuvenated their growth.

Highlights include:

• The Corporate Life Cycle: Aswath breaks down the stages of business aging, comparing them to human life and outlining the strategic adjustments companies need at each phase to stay competitive.
• Leadership Evolution: The discussion covers the importance of adapting leadership styles according to the company’s life cycle stage—visionaries for startups, business builders for expansion, and pragmatic leaders for firms facing decline.
• Reincarnation of Companies: Rare cases like Microsoft and Apple illustrate how some companies reverse aging through leadership changes, organic growth, and strategic acceptance rather than relying on acquisitions.
• Valuation and Storytelling: Aswath emphasizes the need to integrate financial modeling with a compelling narrative to give deeper meaning to valuation metrics.
• Scaling Challenges in Modern Business: The conversation highlights the rapid rise and fall of companies like Yahoo and Uber, showcasing the difficulties of scaling quickly without establishing a sustainable business model.
• Active vs. Passive Investing: Aswath discusses why active investing yields diminishing returns in today’s data-rich environment, as passive investing gains popularity and market share.
• AI’s Role in Business: The episode explores Microsoft’s strategic investment in OpenAI, underscoring the mix of strategy and luck that fuels success in the AI-driven economy.

To create stronger alignment between technology and business objectives, farm-to-fork cooperative Land O’Lakes is embracing Fusion Teams, which combine deep technical expertise with business insights to anticipate needs, innovate faster, and deliver more tailored solutions. In this episode of Technovation, host Peter High interviews Land O’Lakes CTO Teddy Bekele about the critical role technology plays in driving both innovation and operational alignment within the company’s cooperative model. Teddy shares how Land O’Lakes is transforming its operations through Agile practices, Fusion Teams, and AI-driven decision-making, all while fostering sustainability and growth across its diverse business units, including smarter farming and enhanced supply chain management.

In his newest book, This is Strategy, renowned author and marketing thought leader Seth Godin provides a detailed framework for developing an effective strategy and challenges the way strategy is approached across industries. In this episode, Peter High sits down with Seth to explore the critical difference between strategy and tactics, offering practical insights into how individuals and organizations can craft strategies that stand the test of time. Seth emphasizes the importance of simplicity, demonstrating how profound strategies can be communicated in clear, memorable terms. Seth also dives into the growing role of AI in strategic thinking, sharing his experience with tools like Claude to challenge assumptions and refine strategies. Additionally, he discusses the necessity of empathy in leadership and the importance of embracing change and constraints to fuel innovation. Whether you’re a business leader, entrepreneur, or simply curious about the future of strategy in an AI-driven world, this episode offers actionable insights to help you navigate the complexities of modern leadership.

The ways customers interact with retailers and other organizations have vastly changed in recent years, and the pet care industry is no different, leveraging technology to deliver personalized, efficient experiences for pet parents. In this episode of Technovation, Peter High interviews Greg Fancher, Executive Vice President of IT and Chief Information Technology Officer of PetSmart. Greg discusses PetSmart’s ongoing digital transformation, which has included a shift from a distribution center-focused model to store-based e-commerce fulfillment, improving speed and efficiency for customers. He also shares insights into re-platforming PetSmart’s systems to use microservices, enabling faster innovation, and the company’s strategic use of AI for optimizing operations like pick path efficiency and personalized marketing. Greg provides an inside look at the company’s efforts to enhance its omnichannel retail strategy, including cloud-based booking for pet services and real-time inventory visibility. Lastly, Greg highlights the importance of leadership restructuring and portfolio management in aligning technology investments with business goals and discusses his excitement for future technologies like quantum computing and their potential impact on security.

What’s stopping AI from scaling across the enterprise? For Madhu Ramamurthy, CIO of Zurich North America, it’s not the technology. It’s the culture.

In this episode, Madhu shares how he’s navigating the paradox of AI: a tool with unprecedented potential, surrounded by institutional resistance, unclear regulations, and cultural misalignment. He outlines Zurich’s approach to responsible AI deployment, organizational change, and ethical tech use.

Key highlights include:

• How “organizational antibodies” can kill innovation before it scales
• The case for explainability and governance in AI development
• Why domain expertise is more valuable than tech fluency
• Building AI-native teams outside of legacy systems
• Madhu’s warning on digital flattery and sycophantic AI

915: Consumer insights are the lifeblood of any company, enabling them to optimize product availability, personalize marketing, and enhance customer experiences through direct-to-consumer channels and loyalty programs. In this episode of Technovation, Peter High interviews John Gigerich, Chief Information Officer of Keurig Dr Pepper. John shares insights into the 2018 merger between Keurig and Dr Pepper, which created a beverage powerhouse, and discusses his role in integrating the companies’ IT systems while ensuring cybersecurity. He elaborates on Keurig Dr Pepper’s digital transformation journey, covering cloud migration, intelligent automation tools like RPA and AI, and the company’s data-driven approach to consumer insights that optimize product offerings and marketing strategies. John also provides a fascinating look into the company’s supply chain optimization initiatives and the role of the digital value chain. Finally, he highlights the importance of ROI in IT investments and shares his excitement for AI and data-driven innovation at KDP.

914: The shift towards cloud computing has accelerated with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), and venture capital firms like Bessemer Venture Partners have taken notice. In this episode of Technovation, host Peter High interviews Mary D’Onofrio, partner at Bessemer, who leads investments in cloud software and emerging technologies. Mary discusses her journey into venture capital, Bessemer’s Cloud Index, and the State of the Cloud reports, while highlighting how AI is transforming the cloud landscape. She also shares insights into the “five Cs of cloud finance” and the importance of customer feedback in shaping investment decisions. 

913: In this episode of Technovation, host Peter High interviews Aaron Gwinner, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Reynolds American. Aaron discusses the company’s ambitious goal to reduce the health impact of its products by transitioning customers away from traditional cigarettes to lower-risk alternatives like vaping. He explains how technology plays a critical role in this transformation, including a significant cloud migration effort aimed at centralizing data and improving operational efficiency. Aaron also shares insights on the evolving challenges of cybersecurity and the potential of generative AI to improve employee productivity and supply chain management. Drawing on over two decades of experience at The Coca-Cola Company, Aaron reflects on how his international career has informed his approach to leadership at Reynolds American. Tune in to hear more about Reynolds American’s digital transformation, its mission to build a better tomorrow, and the key role of IT in achieving this vision.