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PODCAST

The Tech Trek

The Tech Trek explores the intersection of People, Impact, and Technology — how engineering leaders build high-performing teams, deliver real outcomes, and shape the future of innovation. Hosted by Amir Bormand, founder of Elevano, the show features CTOs, VPs of Engineering, and technical leaders sharing candid insights on leadership, scaling, and building technology organizations that last. Each episode uncovers the decisions, lessons, and mindsets that separate good teams from great ones — and

technology

All Episodes

00:30:31

Bringing Gen AI to Highly Secure Enterprises

The Tech Trek ·

2025/02/28

Artificial intelligence is moving beyond proofs-of-concept and into real-world production—but how do you make it work in highly secure environments? In this episode, Ben Van Roo, CEO & Co-Founder of Yurts, joins Amir Bormand to discuss the challenges of implementing Gen AI in government, financial institutions, and enterprises with strict security requirements.Ben breaks down why 2024 is the year of POCs, but 2025 will be the year of production, the biggest "gotchas" companies face

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00:22:15

Operationalizing Gen AI

The Tech Trek ·

2025/02/27

In this episode, we dive deep into getting the right results from Gen AI with Timm Peddie, an expert in operationalizing AI at scale. We discuss the common pitfalls companies face, what "right results" actually mean, and how organizations can effectively implement Gen AI solutions. Timm shares practical strategies for AI adoption, the importance of rapid failure, and how companies can avoid costly mistakes.🔍 Key Topics Covered:✔️ Defining "Operationalizing Gen AI" and why it’s

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00:25:16

Balancing Leadership and Execution: How to Thrive in...

The Tech Trek ·

2025/02/26

In this episode, I sit down with Varun Madan, Head of Engineering at OneHouse, to discuss how startups must operate with slimmer margins—both in decision-making and execution. We dive into the high-stakes hiring process, balancing efficiency with impact, managing context switching, and transitioning between IC and leadership roles.Key Takeaways:✅ Hiring at a startup requires extreme precision. Every hire matters, and balancing speed vs. fit is key to avoiding costly mistakes.✅ Prioritization is

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00:23:32

Execution Over Titles: The Mindset That Drives Career...

The Tech Trek ·

2025/02/25

In this episode, I sit down with Wade Bruce, CTO of Fetch, to explore his journey from engineer to CTO. We dive into what it takes to grow into a leadership role, how to create influence, and why focusing on value over titles leads to career progression. Wade shares his unique perspective on filling gaps within a company, playing "free," and embracing challenges without the fear of failure.If you're in tech and aspiring to level up your career—whether you're an engineer, manager,

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00:25:10

How You Can Fund Your Startup Without Venture Capital

The Tech Trek ·

2025/02/20

In this episode, Jeremy Whittington shares his journey of building a startup without relying on traditional venture capital. Instead, he leveraged alternative funding paths, including government grants and accelerators. We dive deep into the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, the I-Corps program, and how startups can secure non-dilutive funding to kickstart their business. If you're an entrepreneur looking for funding beyond VC, this episode is for you!Key Takeaways:🔹 SBIR Grants

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00:29:19

Engineering Without Borders

The Tech Trek ·

2025/02/19

In this episode, we dive into blurring engineering lines, full-stack engineering, and the evolving role of software engineers in a rapidly changing landscape. Sahil shares insights on how generative AI is reshaping engineering, the shift towards problem-solving over-specialization, and how teams can optimize for speed and business value.Key Takeaways:🔹 Blurring Engineering Roles: Traditional engineering roles (frontend, backend, DevOps) are blending, leading to more end-to-end ownership. Engineers

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00:36:42

Founder Mode vs. Servant Leadership: Delegate or dive...

The Tech Trek ·

2025/02/18

In this episode, we dive into the evolving role of engineering leadership with Andy Elmhorst, VP of Engineering at Bolt. We explore the delicate balance between delegation and hands-on leadership, dissect the founder mode philosophy, and analyze how servant leadership has been interpreted—and sometimes misapplied—in tech organizations. Andy shares insights on why traditional management books may be outdated for modern engineering leadership, and how staying hands-on with teams can drive better

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00:24:47

How AI (LLMs) Are Revolutionizing Data Products

The Tech Trek ·

2025/02/13

In this episode,Sasha Bartashnik shares her insights on howlarge language models (LLMs) are transforming the development ofdata products, making advanced AI-driven solutions moreaccessible and scalable. We dive into thechallenges of traditional data tools, theadvantages and risks of LLM integration, and how businesses shouldadapt to the changing landscape of AI-driven decision-making.Key Takeaways🔹What Are Data Products? – Any software that processes or surfaces data to users, including dashboards

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00:24:57

The CTPO: The Future of Tech Leadership

The Tech Trek ·

2025/02/12

In this episode, we dive into the evolution of theChief Product and Technology Officer (CPTO) model, the blending of traditional engineering and product roles, and howAI, hackathons, and shifting org structures are reshaping product development. Arjun shares insights on what this means for engineers, product managers, and leadership teams, as well as the challenges of making this shift successful.⏳ Timestamped Highlights[00:00] IntroductionAmir introduces Arjun Shah and sets the stage for discussing

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00:23:10

Mastering Change: How to Drive Digital Adoption

The Tech Trek ·

2025/02/11

In this episode, JD Williams joins Amir Bormand to dive into the critical role ofchange management in driving successful digital adoption. From leading with digital fluency to navigating organizational change for AI integration, JD shares actionable insights from his work at Zoetis.Key TakeawaysDigital Fluency Starts with People:Training needs to be role-specific and practical.Peer-to-peer learning fosters deeper adoption across teams.Change Management is a Team Effort:Success requires both top-down

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00:34:31

Foundational Data Challenges and Leveraging AI for...

The Tech Trek ·

2025/02/06

In this episode ofThe Tech Trek, Amir Bormand sits down with Stephen Harris, former Corporate Vice President of Global Data Science and Growth Analytics at Microsoft. Steffen, a seasoned data executive with over 30 years of experience, shares insights into tackling foundational data issues, addressing data debt, and integrating advanced AI strategies. Together, they explore how businesses can move the needle on long-standing challenges and position themselves for sustainable growth in a data-driven

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00:27:04

Pivoting with Purpose: Navigating Startup Challenges

The Tech Trek ·

2025/02/05

In this episode, Amir Bormand is joined by Marty Kausas, Co-founder and CEO of Pylon, a groundbreaking customer support platform for B2B companies. Marty shares his journey of navigating "pivot hell," the challenges of ideation, finding the right co-founders, and understanding what it takes to build a billion-dollar company. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, this episode is packed with insights on creating, evolving, and scaling a tech startup.Key

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00:24:07

Hiring Challenges for Founders

The Tech Trek ·

2025/02/04

In this episode, Tanaz Mody shares insights on the hiring struggles founders face as they scale their companies. We explore how founders navigate the decision-making process, overcome hiring hesitations, and transition from being hands-on operators to strategic leaders.Key Topics:✅ The weight of hiring decisions on founders✅ How founders can avoid “decision paralysis” in hiring✅ The evolution from founder to CEO✅ The role of VC talent partners in scaling startups✅ When (and why) founders should

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00:25:44

First-Time Founders and Leadership Styles

The Tech Trek ·

2025/01/30

In this insightful episode, James Evans dives into the unique challenges and growth opportunities for first-time founders. From building leadership styles to navigating tough decisions, James shares his journey and valuable lessons from leading CommandBar to its acquisition by Amplitude. If you're a tech enthusiast, startup founder, or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways!Key Takeaways Leadership Style Evolves Over Time: As a first-time founder, leadership is

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00:27:36

How a Lawyer Became a Tech CEO

The Tech Trek ·

2025/01/29

In this inspiring episode, Amir Bormand chats with Matt Martin, Co-Founder of Clockwise. Matt shares his unique career trajectory, transitioning from being a lawyer to a self-taught software engineer, and ultimately, to a tech entrepreneur. They discuss the challenges, self-doubt, and triumphs of making a bold career pivot, as well as insights into the future of technology and software development. Whether you're contemplating a career change or simply curious about what it takes to thrive in

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00:29:16

Exploring Data Enablement

The Tech Trek ·

2025/01/28

In this episode of The Tech Trek, Amir Bormand sits down with Scott Peachey, Director of Data Governance and Oversight at Bread Financial, to explore the evolving world of data enablement. Together, they unpack how rebranding data governance can shift perceptions, make data accessible across organizations, and foster a culture of collaboration.Scott shares his insights on tackling the challenges of data literacy, meeting business stakeholders where they are, and the importance of tailoring

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00:30:46

AI: Leveling the Playing Field in E-Commerce

The Tech Trek ·

2025/01/23

In this episode, Amir Bormand is joined by Vinod Ramachandran, CEO and Co-Founder of Big Sur AI, and Arnaud Weber, Co-Founder and CTO, to discuss how AI is reshaping the e-commerce landscape. The conversation explores AI-driven personalization, the future of dynamic online shopping experiences, and how smaller brands can compete with industry giants.Key Takeaways AI as a Game-Changer for Smaller Brands: Smaller retailers can now leverage AI to create highly personalized and assistive shopping

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00:28:00

Customer-Centric Engineering

The Tech Trek ·

2025/01/22

In this episode, Amir Bormand is joined by Jake Peters, co-founder, CTO, and CPO of Fora, a modern travel agency platform. Together, they delve into the art of customer-centric engineering, the balance between business and technology, and how Fora is revolutionizing the travel industry. Jake shares his unique journey through tech, from 90s coding to leading dual roles in product and engineering, and the lessons he’s learned about prioritization, collaboration, and adaptability.Key

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00:34:21

From Rural Roots to AI Founder

The Tech Trek ·

2025/01/21

In this episode, Amir Bormand interviews Curtis Northcutt, CEO and Co-Founder of CleanLab. Curtis shares his inspiring journey from humble beginnings in rural Kentucky to becoming a leader in AI innovation. He delves into his personal story, the principles that shaped him, and his thoughts on the role of technology in creating meaningful change. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in resilience, the future of AI, and the human side of innovation.Key Takeaways: The Power of

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00:25:08

From QA to Engineering Leadership

The Tech Trek ·

2025/01/16

In this episode of The Tech Trek, Amir Bormand sits down with Mayuresh Hajirnis, Director of Engineering at Altruist, to discuss his fascinating journey from QA to software engineering leadership. Mayuresh shares valuable lessons on bridging the gap between QA and engineering, creating a culture of quality, and how his background has shaped his leadership approach. Whether you're in QA, development, or aspiring to lead engineering teams, this episode offers actionable insights and

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