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PODCAST

Transformers Podcast

Information is everywhere. For businesses, information is everything. The roles of CIOs, CTOs and other transformative leaders have evolved to impact all areas of business, from employee experience and digital labor to product development and the customer experience. Hosted by Ann Funai, CIO and VP of Business Platforms Transformation at IBM, Transformers the podcast takes you behind the scenes and screens of these transformative leaders, exploring their real-world challenges, inspiring lessons, and

technology self-improvement

All Episodes

3:11

Transformers Turns One: Rapid Fire with Ann Funai

Transformers Podcast ·

2025/12/10

It’s theTransformerspodcast’s first birthday! In this special anniversary episode, host Ann Funai takes on a series of rapid-fire questions from the production team. From personal advice and Midwest sayings to favorite songs, holiday traditions and reflections on transformation, this episode is packed with humor, honesty and heart. It’s a fun, candid look behind the mic as we celebrate one year ofTransformers.The opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the participants and do not

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20:29

From Elephants to AI Agents: A CXO Survival Guide

Transformers Podcast ·

2025/11/26

Season 2 ofTransformerstackled the big challenges—and big opportunities—facing today’s leaders. From naming the elephants in the room to embracing AI agents as part of the workforce, this recap distills the most powerful insights from CXOs, tech leaders and innovators. Ifyou’renavigatingatransformation,big or small,this survival guide is for you.Chapters00:00 –Season 2:Let’srecap00:53–AI is a partner, not a replacement03:26–Empower your front lines05:22–The human side of leadership07:13– Facing the

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32:33

Adaptability Quotient: The CIO edge in an AI world

Transformers Podcast ·

2025/11/12

In this episode, Shibani AhujajoinsAnn Funaitocut through the AI hype, unpack the future of enterprise transformation,andoutline whatreallymattersto CIOs.They dive into the human side of AI, whyAdaptability Quotient (AQ)should bethe new leadership metric, and how agentic AI will reshape the digital workforce.Discover practical strategies for CIOs building an adaptable tech stack, balancing innovation with governance, and driving real ROI with AI. Whetheryou'releading digital transformation or

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41:58

The business case for multimodal AI and automation

Transformers Podcast ·

2025/10/29

In this episode of Transformers, Ann Funai sits down with Mark Polyak, Chief Product & Technology Officer at MINT.ai, to explore how multimodal AI and intelligent automation are reshaping the future of work, marketing and human innovation.Drawing from his background in counterterrorism and real-time data systems, Mark shares how data integrity, transparency and human oversight are essential to successful AI implementation. The conversation explores the shift to prescriptive analytics, the rise

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29:14

Partners, tech & taxes: Driving transformation with...

Transformers Podcast ·

2025/10/15

Tax is a business game changer. Yes, really.What happens when tax meets cutting-edge technology like AI? Transformation.In this episode of Transformers, host Ann Funai is joined by Martin Fiore, EY Americas Vice Chair – Tax, and Kanthi Morrissey, IBM’s Chief Tax Officer, to explore how AI, automation and strategic partnerships are revolutionizing tax and reshaping business operations.Whether you're a CIO, CFO, tech strategist or business leader, this conversation will reshape how you think about

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33:01

Humans, partnerships & AI agents: Is your enterprise...

Transformers Podcast ·

2025/09/17

Ann Funai welcomes Miha Kralj, CTO of IBM Consulting’s Microsoft practice, to explore how AI is reshaping enterprise technology. From digital workers and agentic AI to shifting talent pipelines and evolving software roles, this episode dives into the future of work and the skills needed to thrive.Miha shares insights from his experience at IBM, Microsoft, AWS and Accenture, highlighting how progressive companies are deploying AI agents to handle tasks like testing, documentation and code fixes—while

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32:32

AI & cyber resilience: What every C-Suite must know

Transformers Podcast ·

2025/09/03

Cyber threats aren’t a matter of “if”—they’re a matter of “when.” In this episode of Transformers, Ann Funai sits down with Mike Gowen, Chief Revenue Officer at Celerity, to explore how sales, cybersecurity and AI are converging—and what executives must do to stay ahead.With over 25 years in tech sales, Mike shares how executive conversations have shifted from product education to strategic enablement. He breaks down the shift toward operational resilience, the urgency of quantum readiness, and the

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38:34

Data Sovereignty & AI: Scaling Health Equity with...

Transformers Podcast ·

2025/08/20

In this powerful episode of Transformers, Ann Funai sits down with Dr. Michelle Barry, PhD, CEO and co-founder of CTI LifeHealth to explore how her team is revolutionizing healthcare for underserved communities across the globe. From rural Africa to rural Alabama, Michelle shares how CTI’s modular digital health ecosystem bridges the gap between lifestyle and clinical care starting with the patient, not the institution.With a background in sociocultural and medical anthropology, Michelle brings a

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36:14

Assume positive intent: Leadership lessons for CIOs

Transformers Podcast ·

2025/08/06

In this special episode of Transformers, we flip the script on host Ann Funai, CIO and VP of Business Platform Transformation at IBM, as she becomes the guest of her own show. Interviewed by show producer Amanda Downie, Ann shares what keeps her up at night—and what gets her out of bed in the morning.Through a candid, funny and deeply human conversation, Ann reflects on leadership, transformation, psychological safety and the power of assuming positive intent. From “speeding tickets” in innovation

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35:32

Inside B2C Marketing with Barbra Sainsurin of...

Transformers Podcast ·

2025/07/23

In this episode of Transformers, Ann Funai sits down with Barbra Sainsurin, GCMO of Anthropologie Group, to explore the fast-paced world of B2C marketing—from real-time insights and AI tools to building cross-functional trust and cultural relevance. From her days at Under Armour to leading transformation at Anthropologie, Barbra shares how she combines data, curiosity and heart to drive purposeful change. With warmth, vulnerability and an unapologetically customer-obsessed mindset, Barbra reveals

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26:32

AI for good, with Frank Sweeney, CIO, Arizona DCS

Transformers Podcast ·

2025/07/09

What happens when a tech leader trades private equity and pro sports for public service? In this episode of Transformers, Frank Sweeney, CIO of the Arizona Department of Child Safety, shares how his unconventional career path led him to one of the most purpose-driven roles in government.Frank discusses how his team is using AI not to replace humans—but to empower them. From reducing administrative burden for field workers to improving outcomes for families and children, Frank explains how ethical,

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26:29

Transforming legacy at scale, with Amala Duggirala, USAA

Transformers Podcast ·

2025/06/25

What does it really take to transform a legacy institution into a digital-first, human-centered enterprise? Drawing from decades of experience, Amala Duggirala, Head of Digital Data and Technology at USAA, breaks down the four dimensions of transformation—technology, product, business value and culture—and shares how to scale innovation without losing sight of compliance, quality or people.0:01 – Get to know Amala Duggirala2:12 – The four types of transformation7:34 – Move like a startup, scale like

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34:59

FalconStor's tech transformation with CEO Todd Brooks...

Transformers Podcast ·

2025/06/11

How is private equity–backed FalconStor reinventing itself in the age of AI? Ann sits down with CEO Todd Brooks and CTO Ron Morita to explore the company’s evolution beyond legacy hardware, its embrace of artificial intelligence, and how it’s driving growth through cutting-edge technology and human ingenuity.0:01 – The hybrid cloud world1:53 – How FalconStor transformed to survive4:42 – The CTO role: Partnerships, products and roadmaps to success8:57 – CEOs and CTOs working together11:13 – A

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24:49

Choosing models and transforming mindsets with David...

Transformers Podcast ·

2025/05/28

In this riveting Season 2 opener, host Ann Funai dives deep into a comprehensive discussion with David Tan, CTO of CrushBank. They traverse the evolution of tech roles and Tan's strategic approach to AI model selection. The conversation also encompasses the crucial importance of comprehending the data fueling AI and shifting perspectives on AI capabilities beyond the hype. Drawing from shared experiences in IT, they share and demonstrate practical techniques for effectively communicating complex

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10:48

6 lessons for transformation

Transformers Podcast ·

2025/05/23

Join Ann as she reflects on the first season of Transformers by highlighting six recurring lessons from CIOs and CTOs on business and tech transformations. 00:01 – Intro00:16 – Transformation is inevitable 01:42 – Key transformation drivers: Culture, mindset, trust03:07 – Trust means transparency and communication4:29 – The AI hype is real, but so is its potential6:59 – Learn to embrace the process8:16 – Consider the human element throughout transformation9:13 – Get to know the CIOThe opinions

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31:23

Navigating transformation traps with Nonie Sethi,...

Transformers Podcast ·

2025/04/30

Navigating transformation traps with Nonie Sethi, Partner, BCG. Why do so many transformations fail, and how can we change it? With all the technology and data at our fingertips, most business transformations still feel like death by a thousand tiny cuts. Too many fail to flourish, even when the main culprits are entirely within the enterprise’s ability to navigate. In this episode, Ann talks with Nonie Sethi, Partner at BCG, who has made an art of using technology and data to help teams drive

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23:51

Three keys to business transformation with Benni...

Transformers Podcast ·

2025/04/02

Three keys to business transformation with Benni Blau, CPIO, SAP. Transforming your workforce takes more than big speeches and fancy slide decks. Successful transformations come from the right alignment of people, technology and process. Dr. Benni Blau, Chief Process & Information Officer of SAP, talks about how he approaches process and IT strategy, the critical elements of transformation, and why partnerships matter now more than ever.0:47 - Meet Benni Blau1:57 - Cloud transformation and the

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30:31

Sarah Hatchett, SVP & CIO of Cleveland Clinic

Transformers Podcast ·

2025/03/19

Healthy tech with Sarah Hatchett, Cleveland Clinic. The stakes are uniquely high for CIOs in healthcare. From inherent risks and information blockers to the demand for new technology and world class patient care, the stakes for a CIO can, quite literally, be life or death. Sarah Hatchett, SVP & CIO at the Cleveland Clinic, unpacks what it takes to balance patient care, data privacy, automation and AI trends, and the demand for technology advancements in healthcare.2:15 - Personal brands and

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33:53

Transform your tech: AI customizations, data...

Transformers Podcast ·

2025/03/05

Your tech strategy as a force multiplier. Realizing the full potential of your organization demands healthy tech habits. Eric Wood - software engineer, former Under Armour guru, current CTO of Cordance, and hardcore weightlifter - talks with Ann about transformation strategies, customizing solutions with AI and achieving goals thanks to an athlete's mindset.0:38 - Professional arcs and the community you build2:39 - Bringing the athlete mindset to work5:12 - Progressive overload: What athletes know

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36:32

The transformation Venn diagram: Strategy, implement,...

Transformers Podcast ·

2025/02/19

The Transformation Venn Diagram: Strategy, Implement,Operate.When it comes totransformation, Shakespeare’s rule of three rings true.There arethreeparts of a transformer’s Venndiagram thatseem consistentacross technologies and industries: Strategy, implement,operate.In this episode ofTransformers,two guests from Deloitte Consulting -Jag Bandla and AyoOdusote–discusshowthissynergyof strategy, technologyand skillshelpsenterprise clients achieve business transformation goals.Heartheirthoughts onthe

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