The Tech Trek

In this episode of The Tech Trek, I sit down with Atli Thorkelsson, VP of Talent Network at Redpoint Ventures, to unpack one of the most pivotal and complex hires a founder will make: their first go-to-market leader. From timing the hire to evaluating charisma vs. substance, Atli walks us through practical frameworks and cautionary tales to help founders avoid common pitfalls.Whether you're a technical founder unsure how to vet sales talent or you're scaling fast and need to define a hybrid role, this conversation will help you set up for long-term success in hiring.🔑 Key Takeaways:Hire for the now, not the future. A candidate who can grow is great, but they must be effective today.Educate yourself before starting the search. Talk to past founders, board members, and exec recruiters to know what great looks like.Don’t over-shop. The first batch of candidates is often the strongest—waiting doesn’t always mean better.Curiosity and recruiting prowess are key. Top GTM leaders deeply understand the product and know how to hire A+ talent.Always be networking. Track and nurture impressive people—even if there’s no immediate role. They may become future hires, advisors, or customers.🧠 Memorable Quote:“You never really know when someone’s going to be valuable to you. If they impress you, find a way to stay in touch.” – Atli Thorkelsson⏱ Timestamped Highlights:00:50 – The tricky timing of hiring go-to-market leaders02:30 – Why you must hire for today, not tomorrow04:00 – Educating founders on roles they’ve never hired for05:30 – Why delaying decisions can backfire in hiring06:35 – The value of having go-to-market experts "on your bench"08:50 – Red flags and false positives in sales hiring10:38 – Evaluating impact quickly: what success should look like13:23 – Defining the role clearly—even if you’ve been doing it15:22 – Hybrid roles: when it works, and when it doesn’t17:25 – The power of long-term relationships in recruiting🎧 Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to The Tech Trek for more insights from leaders shaping the future of tech.

In this episode, Amir Bormand interviews Amie Bright, VP of Enterprise Data and Analytics at GitLab, about the importance of data governance, especially in the context of generative AI. Amie explains GitLab's role as an AI-powered DevSecOps platform and discusses strategies to ensure data quality and governance in modern data volumes. The conversation covers the traditional challenges data teams face and the transformative impact of generative AI on those practices. Amie also shares insights from her career and current work at GitLab, emphasizing the need for proper metadata management, certified data sources, and the shifting perception of data governance from a hindrance to an enabler of efficiency and innovation.  Highlights 01:29 Data Governance and Its Importance 04:53 Challenges and Evolution with Generative AI 07:52 Changing Perceptions and Measuring Accuracy 13:23 Future of Data Governance with Gen AI Guest: Amie Bright is an accomplished data and analytics leader with expertise in data management, architecture, integration, warehousing, science, and business intelligence. She excels at creating data strategies that align with long-term organizational goals. Amie is skilled in leading data teams to implement modern, cloud-based data solutions, including ingestion, pipeline orchestration, repositories, governance, security, advanced analytics, and business intelligence. She effectively motivates diverse teams and builds strong relationships across organizational boundaries to achieve analytics objectives. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amie-bright-03329820/ ---- Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player. Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.com Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests? Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)

What happens when a 160-year-old insurance company decides to embrace AI? Peter Maynard, Chief Data and Analytics Officer at Guardian Life, joins Amir to break down how legacy organizations can rethink their playbook, shift mindsets, and move from awareness to execution. From the boardroom to the data science lab, Peter shares how leaders can challenge their own thinking—and create space for their teams to do the same.Key Takeaways• AI strategy starts with personal curiosity—leaders must be active learners, not passive observers• Legacy companies need to understand their business deeply before applying AI solutions• Trust, not speed, is the currency of transformation inside risk-averse environments• The best model isn’t always the first one—it’s the space to iterate that drives innovation• Technical fluency helps leadership translate AI capabilities into real business valueTimestamped Highlights[03:15] From ChatGPT to Guardian: How Peter’s job changed overnight[06:20] The 4 levels of leadership when adopting new technology[08:10] How Peter learns: whitepapers, team discussions, and staying off the “superhighway”[13:00] What predictive transformers taught Peter about staying sharp on math fundamentals[17:50] Making the business case: how data teams pitch value, not tech[23:15] Creating “offer makers”: why Peter requires every project to have a business stakeholder[25:00] The second model is always better—why iteration needs breathing roomQuote of the Episode“You always need to have a business customer for every work that you do. You’re not just tinkering—you’re building trust.”Call to ActionEnjoyed this conversation? Follow the show and leave a quick review. Want more insight on how leaders are navigating AI and data? Subscribe to the newsletter or share this episode with someone in your network who needs to hear it.

In this podcast episode, Bob Stefanski, Co-founder and Managing Director of eLab Ventures joins Amir to discuss the promising future and current landscape of AI startups. They explore the significant room for growth in AI, particularly in the context of valuations, and the importance of giving founders time to pivot. Stefanski emphasizes the focus on early-stage investments in AI, highlighting the continued relevance of deep learning and the promising potential of generative AI. The discussion covers AI founders' evolving characteristics, unique data sets' impact, and the shift towards more accessible AI application development tools. Additionally, Stefanski provides insights into the differentiation between 'true AI companies' and those merely using AI as a buzzword. Highlights 01:38 The AI Landscape and Market Potential 04:11 Investing in AI Startups 06:41 Characteristics of Successful AI Founders 08:25 Functional vs. Generative AI 14:49 Valuations and Market Trends 18:01 Defining a True AI Company ---- Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player. Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.com Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests? Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)

This episode features a conversation with Maria Latushkin, Group VP of Technology and Engineering at Albertsons, discussing AI's role in supply chain management. The discussion encompasses assessing AI options, prioritizing initiatives, and pilot programs for implementing AI solutions efficiently and effectively. The episode covers the strategic approach to AI adoption, including mistake avoidance, decision-making processes from an executive perspective, and leveraging AI for operational improvements and customer value enhancement. It also touches on the impact of COVID-19 on supply chain perceptions and innovations, the significance of data management, and the balance between building bespoke solutions versus leveraging external partnerships. Highlights 01:05 The Role of AI in Decision-Making and Supply Chain Optimization 03:14 Leveraging AI for Supply Chain Efficiency and Innovation 04:13 Impact of COVID-19 on Supply Chain Dynamics 07:24 Adapting to Change: Speed, Technology, and Customer Experience 08:14 The Future of Engineering and AI in Business Strategy 17:12 Building vs. Buying in the Gen AI Era 21:30 Pilot Programs and Assessing ROI with Gen AI Guest: Maria Latushkin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-latushkin-799700/ ---- Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player. Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.com Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests? Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)

In this episode, Amir Bormand interviews David Ayers, SVP of Engineering at Invitation Homes. They delve into the intricacies of hiring in the engineering space, emphasizing the importance of assessing skills, consistency, continuous improvement, and potential over perfect technical ability. Ayers discusses Invitation Homes' approach to interviewing, the importance of understanding technical and soft skills, and the benefits of behavioral-based questions. They also explore the evolving role of co-pilot tools in engineering and how engineers can focus more on problem-solving and understanding business needs. The discussion includes strategies for making hiring decisions, handling mismatches, and learning from hiring experiences. Highlights 01:05 Hiring in Engineering: Key Attributes 03:22 Balancing Soft and Technical Skills 04:34 Behavioral-Based Interviewing 07:09 Technical Assessments and Programming Languages 10:45 The Future of Programming with AI 17:09 The Imperfection of Hiring Guest: David Ayers: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidaayers/ ---- Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player. Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.com Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests? Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)

In this episode, Amir hosts Healey Cypher, CEO at BoomPop and COO at Atomic. The discussion covers various aspects of being a good and successful founder, what makes an idea backable, and the differences between successful and unsuccessful entrepreneurs. Healey shares his background as a serial entrepreneur and gives insights into his companies, BoomPop and Atomic. The conversation includes key considerations for making a business VC backable, understanding total addressable market size, the importance of trust in entrepreneurship, and tips on identifying your strengths and complementing them with the right team. Healey also emphasizes continuous learning and practical financial knowledge for entrepreneurs. Highlights 00:35 Background and Career Journey 01:43 The Rise of BoomPop 04:02 What Makes a Good Founder? 06:23 VC Backable Ideas vs. Lifestyle Businesses 12:05 Execution and Skill Development for Founders 18:43 Building Trust as a Founder Healey Cypher is the CEO of BoomPop, and Chief Operating Officer / Partner of Atomic. He has spent his career building and selling companies that center around great customer experience. Healey sold his last two companies: ZIVELO which he sold to Verifone in 2019 after 15 months of taking the reins as CEO, and Oak Labs, which he sold to Zivelo in 2018. Before that, Healey was the Head of Retail Innovation at eBay. Chief of Staff to the CTO of eBay, and lead all business development for milo.com  which he helped sell to ebay in 2010. He has been recognized as Silicon Valley Business Journal’s “40 under 40,” WWD’s “Ten of Tomorrow,” and one of Goldman Sach’s “Top 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs.” He has also done dozens of keynotes and live TV (most nerve-wracking: CNBC Closing Bell, for sure.) ---- Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player. Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.com Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests? Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)

In this episode, Willem Koenders, Global Leader in Data Strategy at ZS, joins Amir to unpack how companies can—and should—approach GenAI with realism, not just hype. Willem breaks down the hard truths about legacy data, the prerequisites for AI adoption, and how enterprises must choose between core disruption and co-pilot enhancement. This is a no-fluff, strategic conversation for any tech leader navigating the GenAI wave.🔑 Key Takeaways:AI Strategy Starts With Data RealityCompanies must evaluate if their foundational data governance is even ready to support GenAI—shiny tools don't fix bad data.Legacy Systems Aren’t Excuses—They’re Starting PointsFrom greenfield rebuilds to domain-driven governance, leaders need a roadmap tailored to their data maturity.Know Your Role: Core Disruptor or Operational EnhancerAI’s impact will differ—some industries face existential change, others will gain marginal improvements.Prep Now, Even If You’re Not Deploying YetBuild your use case backlog and clean up critical data assets now to accelerate future AI deployment when timing and tools align.💬 Quote Highlight:“GenAI tends to make whatever you put in it look elegant—but if the data is bad, the output may be dangerous and you won’t even know it right away.”⏱️ Timestamped Highlights:[00:02:00] – Why GenAI is just another tool—and why it still depends on the same old data foundations.[00:04:30] – Realism vs hype: what GenAI can actually do for your business today.[00:07:45] – Greenfield strategies vs domain-driven fixes for legacy data challenges.[00:11:30] – Choosing between disruption and enhancement: how to position AI in your business strategy.[00:15:30] – Patience is a strategy: when waiting for better tools is the smart move.[00:20:00] – No-regret moves: how to prep your use cases and data landscape now.[00:22:30] – Hidden risks: how GenAI can make bad data look deceptively good.[00:26:30] – Why enterprise AI tools will look very different from consumer-facing tools.

This podcast episode features Matt Robben, Co-founder and CTO of Serif Health, discussing the importance of full-stack engineering hires and how to manage operational growth within hiring constraints. Serif Health, a price transparency data company in healthcare, navigates the challenges of being a small seed-stage startup with a limited hiring budget by prioritizing full-stack capabilities to ensure flexibility and comprehensive problem-solving. Matt highlights the transition from hiring generalist engineers to specialists as the company grows and delves into specific areas like data engineering and artificial intelligence, where specialization becomes critical. He shares insights on identifying talent that showcases eagerness and versatility, underscoring the value of adaptability in the fast-evolving tech landscape. The episode also touches on the interview process, supporting team growth towards specialization, and maintaining a balance between immediate needs and future potential in hiring decisions. Highlights 00:22 Exploring the Trend Towards Full Stack Engineering 00:44 Introducing Serif Health: A Price Transparency Data Company 01:17 The Strategic Value of Full Stack Engineers in Startups 04:38 The Shift to Specialization: When and Why It Happens 08:20 Navigating Hiring Challenges and Interview Processes 12:31 Fostering Growth and Flexibility Within Engineering Teams ---- Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player. Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.com Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)

In this episode, Amir welcomes back Dennis Mortensen — serial entrepreneur, former founder of x.ai, and now CEO of LaunchBrightly — for an unfiltered dive into the emotional highs and lows of entrepreneurship. From building and exiting companies to walking 25km across Manhattan for clarity, Dennis shares what it truly means to love the game of startups.This isn’t your average "build and exit" story. It’s a deep conversation about why founders keep going, how they process failure, and what it really takes to stay in the arena. Whether you’re building your first SaaS product, pivoting after a setback, or just trying to keep your team motivated — this one’s for you.🔑 Key Takeaways:Startups as a 50-year fund: Entrepreneurship isn’t a one-shot game—it’s a lifelong portfolio of experiments.The emotional resilience game: Success is less about the idea, more about your ability to handle the mental load.Pivot with purpose: Pivoting is valid—only if you're still chasing the same pain point.List of hate > list of ideas: Great startups often begin with a problem you just can’t stand.Focus beats distraction: Dennis avoids advisory roles and side hustles to stay sharp on his core mission.Reset rituals matter: Dennis’s 3-hour phone-free walks through Manhattan help him stay grounded and creative.⏱️ Timestamped Highlights:[00:00:00] – Catching up with Dennis and his new startup, LaunchBrightly[00:02:00] – Automating product screenshots: why it matters more than you think[00:05:00] – The “list of hate”: Dennis’s system for surfacing real startup ideas[00:08:00] – Startups as skill-based games with mostly unknown rules[00:10:00] – Life without predefined benchmarks — why it breaks most people[00:14:00] – Why Dennis loves the zero-to-one chaos (and what that says about him)[00:18:00] – Managing the founder’s emotional rollercoaster[00:20:00] – How early fatherhood helped Dennis separate self-worth from business outcomes[00:24:00] – The rise (and risk) of glorifying entrepreneurship on social media[00:28:00] – Pivoting: what’s valid and what’s just survival-mode flailing[00:32:00] – When a startup should die — and why that’s not failure[00:33:00] – Dennis’s long walks: a no-tech ritual for clarity and sanity[00:35:00] – How to connect with Dennis (and maybe join him on a Manhattan walk)💬 Featured Quote:“You should separate your self-worth from the sport you’re playing. I might not have won this race, but I’m as valuable today as I was yesterday.” — Dennis Mortensen