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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

00:30:46

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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00:22:11

From Founder to Enterprise Leader: Transitioning Back

The Tech Trek ·

2025/01/15

In this episode, host Amir Bormand interviews Jehangir Abdulla, Head of Back Office Development at Schoenfeld, to discuss his unique journey from being a startup founder back to taking on a leadership role within an enterprise. Jehangir shares the lessons learned from his entrepreneurial experience, how he retained a founder’s mindset in a corporate setting, and the challenges of balancing ambition with personal well-being.Jehangir also provides insights into decision-making, navigating career

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00:25:21

Mapping Business to Data Strategy

The Tech Trek ·

2025/01/14

In this episode, Amir sits down with Spencer Lourens, Chief Data Officer at CLA, to discuss the intersection of business strategy and data strategy. Spencer shares his insights on aligning organizational goals with data initiatives, understanding stakeholder priorities, and balancing short-term wins with long-term strategies. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone navigating the complex relationship between business needs and data-driven solutions.Key Takeaways: Start with the Business

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00:25:44

The Shift to Platform Engineering

The Tech Trek ·

2025/01/09

In this podcast episode, Amir Bormand sits down with Jason Luce, CTO of Paperless Parts, to discuss the evolution from DevOps to platform engineering. They dive deep into the reasons behind this shift, the cultural and technical changes required, and how organizations can implement platform engineering to enhance developer experience and business outcomes.Jason shares insights into the challenges and opportunities that come with adopting platform engineering, drawing from his experience leading the

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00:26:56

Navigating Product and Technology Leadership

The Tech Trek ·

2025/01/08

In this episode, Amir Bormand interviews Kevin Trilli, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Amount Financial, about balancing product and technology leadership. They explore the challenges and benefits of merging product and tech roles, managing technical debt, and aligning product vision with business goals. Kevin shares personal experiences, insights on engineering leadership, and the evolving impact of AI on product management.Key Takeaways: Merging Product & Tech Leadership: Combining

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00:31:45

Reimagining Data Teams

The Tech Trek ·

2025/01/07

In this engaging episode, Amir Bormand interviews Marko Vasiljevic, CTO at Ghost, about the evolving nature of data teams and how businesses can better structure them in a rapidly changing tech landscape. The discussion covers the shift toward more engineering-driven data teams, the influence of AI on team composition, and how businesses can adapt to remain competitive. Marko also highlights the future of self-service data solutions and the decreasing technical barriers for companies of all

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00:22:34

Leveraging Machine Learning for Healthcare Transparency

The Tech Trek ·

2025/01/02

In this episode, Amir Bormand interviews Urvish Parikh, Co-Founder and CTO of Nirvana, to explore how machine learning is transforming the healthcare insurance landscape. Urvish discusses the challenges of working with legacy standards from the 1980s, how Nirvana addresses cost transparency issues, and the social responsibility of improving healthcare systems. Listeners will gain insights into integrating modern technology with entrenched systems and how Nirvana is making healthcare transactions

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00:24:45

Building the Future of Advertising and Media

The Tech Trek ·

2024/12/27

In this episode, Michael Hudes discusses the evolving landscape of advertising and media, focusing on how connected screens are reshaping consumer engagement. He explores how LG Ad Solutions leverages data, personalization, and advanced technologies to redefine advertising on connected TVs and other screens. The conversation covers key innovations in the connected TV ecosystem, privacy considerations, and the future potential of AI-driven advertising.Key Takeaways: The New Definition of TV: The

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00:26:38

Building Better Products Through Customer-Driven...

The Tech Trek ·

2024/12/19

Guest: Andrew Bihl, Co-Founder & CTO at NumericOverview:In this episode, Andrew Bihl discusses how engineering teams can better integrate customer feedback into their development processes. He explores the concept of product engineering, the challenges of context switching, and how engineers can stay close to the customer while maintaining productivity. This episode is essential for tech leaders looking to create a culture where engineers are empowered to solve real customer problems. Key

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00:34:30

Navigating Global Supply Chains with Data and Machine...

The Tech Trek ·

2024/12/17

In this insightful episode, Amir Bormand speaks with Peter Swartz, Altana's Chief Science Officer and Co-Founder, about using data science and machine learning to revolutionize global supply chain management. Peter discusses his journey from quantitative political science and civil engineering to becoming a leader in AI-driven supply chain solutions. He highlights the importance of domain expertise, data-driven decision-making, and leadership growth in scaling impactful technology.Key Takeaways:

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00:30:59

Excelling in Data Strategy and Governance

The Tech Trek ·

2024/12/12

In this episode, Greg Hahn, a data strategy and governance leader, shares deep insights on building a robust data strategy, navigating AI readiness, and the growing impact of privacy laws. The discussion covers essential pillars of data management, aligning business objectives with data strategy, and how organizations can future-proof themselves through proactive governance.Key Takeaways: Data Strategy & Maturity: Build an enterprise-wide strategy aligned with business goals for long-term

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00:26:23

Navigating Leadership Transitions – Hiring External...

The Tech Trek ·

2024/12/10

,In this episode, Amir hosts Steve Van Lare, VP of Engineering at Anjuna Security, for an insightful discussion on hiring external technology leaders. They explore when and why companies might look outside their organization for tech leadership, how to manage internal dynamics and strategies for smooth transitions.Steve shares real-world experiences and actionable advice on assessing leadership fit, fostering team cohesion, and navigating leadership changes. Whether you’re a tech leader, HR

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00:27:56

Grounded Leadership in Data

The Tech Trek ·

2024/12/05

In this episode, host Amir sits down with Amit Sahani, Global Head of Data at StoneX, to delve into data leadership's practical and strategic aspects. Amit shares invaluable insights on building robust data solutions, tackling data quality challenges, and fostering alignment between data engineering and business objectives.Listeners will gain practical advice on the importance of data governance, leveraging technological advancements like cloud computing, and incorporating feedback loops to drive

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00:24:03

SW Engineering Career Growth: The I.C. and Manager...

The Tech Trek ·

2024/12/03

In this episode of The Tech Trek, host Amir sits down with Shawn Stewart, VP of Engineering at Apartment List, to unpack the complex dynamics between individual contributors (ICs) and managers. Shawn offers a deep dive into career progression, fostering growth, and building aligned high-performing teams.This episode is packed with actionable insights for ICs and managers striving to improve their professional relationships, promote effectively, and maintain team cohesion. Episode Highlights:

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00:36:11

Lowering the Cost of Curiosity in Data

The Tech Trek ·

2024/11/27

In this episode of The Tech Trek, Amir Bormand is joined by Neil Bhandar, VP of IT Enterprise Data Analytics and Innovation at Generac Power Systems, to discuss the evolving role of data in business strategy and decision-making. Neil shares his insights on aligning technical capabilities with strategic goals, reducing the "cost of curiosity," and the transformative power of generative AI.Key Discussion Points: Aligning Business Strategy with Technical Capabilities:Neil emphasizes ensuring

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00:27:47

Navigating AI Governance

The Tech Trek ·

2024/11/21

In this episode, Amir welcomes Jim Olson, CTO of ModelOp, to discuss the intricate topic of AI governance. Jim explains AI governance's critical role in integrating foundational models into organizations, emphasizing regulatory compliance and business performance. He outlines the process of implementing AI solutions, distinctions from traditional technology projects, and common use cases like chatbots and summarization tools. Key areas discussed include the importance of an inventory for AI models,

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00:22:50

Empowered Software Engineering: Beyond Coding

The Tech Trek ·

2024/11/19

Join us as Amir engages with Ken Kao, VP of Engineering at Rad AI, in a riveting discussion on the intersection of technology, business, and innovation.They dive into how tech differentiation can give companies a competitive edge and how engineers can act as artists and problem solvers beyond just writing code. The episode explores Rad AI's innovative application of GenAI in radiology and strategies to empower software engineers by integrating them into business conversations. Learn practical

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