The Tech Trek

In this episode, Amir Bormand talks to Will Ross, the CEO and co-founder of Federato, about how insurance companies are adopting AI. They discuss the transformative impact of AI on the insurance industry, particularly in underwriting. Ross underscores the significant role of underwriters in influencing both the top and bottom lines of growth in insurance companies. He then explains how Federato leverages AI technologies to help underwriters optimize their process. The conversation also delves into the future of AI, the evolving definition of AI, and the importance of understanding its potential applications beyond popular mainstream concepts like ChatGPT. Ross shares real-life examples of how AI can substantially enhance efficiency in the insurance industry, such as 'win ability' modeling. Ultimately, he envisions AI as bolstering human capabilities in the insurance sector rather than replacing jobs. Highlights: 00:30 Understanding Federato and its Role in the Insurance Industry 02:41 The Evolution and Impact of AI in Various Industries 03:38 The AI Paradox and its Implications 05:19 The Role of AI in Insurance 06:20 Understanding the Perception and Application of AI in Different Industries 10:48 The Role of AI in Optimizing Business Processes 18:49 The Future of AI in Job Roles and Industries Co-Founder & CEO at Federato ---- Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and 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.comHave 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, Jason Ash, Chief of Data at Symetra, joins the podcast to discuss the transformation happening within the insurance industry. He highlights the dynamic relationship between business and technology and the importance of stakeholders in rolling out solutions. Jason also delves into the non-technical side of the insurance business and how it contributes to overall success. This conversation transcends the industry and offers insights that can be applied to other sectors.  Highlights: [00:02:20] Technology adoption in business. [00:04:56] Bridging business and technology. [00:08:08] Importance of diverse perspectives. [00:10:49] Rolling out insurance products. [00:13:41] Thinking about data early. [00:19:29] Broader participation in data. [00:19:56] Collaborative approach to problem-solving. [00:22:20] Onboarding new team members. [00:24:31] Stakeholder expectations and data delivery. [00:26:22] Building foundational infrastructure. [00:31:02] Insurance and healthcare battle. [00:34:29] Advancing career paths for team. ---- Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and 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.comHave 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, Vineeth Loganathan, the Director of Machine Learning at ViralGains, discusses building a successful data program. He explores the importance of a clear vision and steps in delivering value through data. Vineeth also explains the concept of zero-party data and how it can be used for targeted marketing. Tune in to gain insights on balancing short-term and long-term data needs and delivering value to customers. Highlights: [00:00:57] Zero-party data for ads. [00:06:00] Closing the loop on data. [00:07:20] Understanding stakeholder needs. [00:11:51-00:12:01] Defining metrics and understanding churn. [00:16:10] Delivering value with machine learning. [00:20:46] Research in machine learning. [00:22:03] NLP advancements and their impact. [00:26:10] Analyst in a box. [00:30:22] Prompt engineering and ML ops. [00:34:49] Formulating strategies in ML. Vineeth Loganathan leads Machine Learning and Data Science at ViralGains, an ad-tech company based in Boston. His team's charter is to leverage the power of machine learning to deliver an audience-driven marketing strategy for brands that optimize outcomes across the customer decision journey. He has 15+ years of experience leading data science teams across Disney, Amazon, Microsoft, and Airbnb. Connect: https://twitter.com/VineethLogan https://www.linkedin.com/in/vineeth-loganathan/ ---- Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and 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.comHave 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 sits down with Clay Callaway, Director of Operations Data Insights & Analytics at Delta Dental of California, to unpack a multi-year data transformation journey inside a large healthcare insurer.What began as a leadership question that exposed massive data silos evolved into a full-scale enterprise initiative—complete with data governance, modern architecture, and a shift in mindset from reporting to real-time insights. Clay shares why “if you build it, they will come” didn’t work the first (or second) time, how aligning with business drivers changed everything, and what it takes to move from raw data to meaningful impact.🔑 Key Takeaways:Silos Sparked the TransformationA simple question from leadership exposed inconsistencies in data due to departmental silos. This catalyzed a multi-year transformation toward enterprise-wide data governance.“If You Build It, They Might Not Come”Previous attempts at data warehousing failed because they weren’t tied to business drivers. This time, they focused on value creation, not just infrastructure.Business First, Then ArchitectureClay and team prioritized business outcomes—like reducing costs, enabling faster decisions, and improving provider networks—before choosing tech solutions.From Call Center Metrics to Customer ExperienceInstead of optimizing for “average handle time,” the team shifted to measuring and improving customer experience across multiple stakeholders.The Shift to Insight GenerationNow that the enterprise data platform is built, Clay's role has evolved from building the system to extracting value and insights—using predictive analytics to preempt customer issues.⏱️ Timestamped Highlights:[00:02:00] – Why inconsistent data triggered a full-scale transformation[00:04:00] – How data governance got off the ground before technology[00:07:00] – Lessons from past failures: Building without business buy-in[00:09:00] – Focusing on enterprise-wide drivers like revenue and cost[00:13:00] – Avoiding tech FOMO: Why they skipped Hadoop and how that helped[00:16:00] – Balancing innovation and ongoing operations[00:19:00] – Using data science to identify what triggers a customer call[00:21:00] – Reframing KPIs: From cost savings to stakeholder experience[00:23:00] – Rethinking their mission: From dental coverage to access to care💬 Standout Quote:“We thought if we build this awesome data warehouse, everybody's going to come use it. Well, that didn’t happen… You have to work towards business outcomes and specifically, business value.” – Clay Callaway📚 Resources Mentioned:Data Governance Tools: Used to align business stakeholders across silos before building data architecture.Enterprise Architecture: Empowered to lead tech direction while business leaders focused on outcomes.💼 Career Tip:Clay’s move from tech to business operations underscores a powerful career path: Build the system, then lead the value extraction. Technical leaders can position themselves to drive change by aligning architecture with enterprise goals.

On this podcast episode, Amir Bormand interviews Madeline Minshew, the Vice President of Culture at True Ventures. They discuss the importance of hiring your first head of people and what to look for when taking a job as the first people leader hire. True Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm that invests in extraordinary founders and their innovative ideas. They are sector-agnostic and focus on backing exceptional individuals in various markets. This episode explores the characteristics of successful founders and the significance of building a strong team. Highlights:  [00:02:26] Characteristics of extraordinary founders. [00:07:11] Letting go of control. [00:09:25] Preserving culture while scaling. [00:13:40] Building the right company. [00:18:58] Questions for job seekers. [00:24:14] HR's evolving role in organizations. [00:27:21] Asking questions and viewing problems. Guest: As True’s VP of Culture, Madeline guides True Founders as they evolve as leaders, grow their teams, and intentionally build organizational cultures. She believes authentic, honest relationships that value trust, diversity of perspectives, and open feedback are the quintessential cornerstone of healthy, high-performing teams. Above all, Madeline is a super-connector across the True Portfolio; she brings together founders, executives, and portfolio team members to create deeper synergy, build collective wisdom, and encourage a sense of belonging. Prior to joining True, Madeline was the VP of people and talent at Handshake, a True Portfolio company that’s since grown into the leading career development network for college students and recent graduates. Before Handshake, Madeline focused on hiring high-performing talent and building strong, inclusive cultures at Cadre, Tumblr, and Google. A San Francisco native, Madeline also speaks French and German fluently. Madeline graduated magna cum laude from Barnard College of Columbia University with a major in political science and a minor in French literature. ---- Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and 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.comHave 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 Tariq Shaukat, co-CEO at Sonar, about the impact of software and AI on companies. They discuss how every company wants to be a software company and how AI is accelerating this trend. They delve into the challenges companies face in pivoting to deliver software and the importance of clean code. The conversation also touches on the role of the board in driving digital transformation. Tune in to gain insights into the evolving landscape of enterprise software and AI. Highlights: [00:00:04] Software is eating the world. [00:03:02] Companies becoming software-enabled. [00:05:36] Importance of software in industries. [00:09:11] Cultural and educational aspects. [00:11:58] Education and deployment of AI. [00:14:21] Trust but verify AI governance. [00:17:18] AI and cybersecurity governance. [00:21:39] AI impact on software development. [00:24:13] Software pricing models in AI. [00:28:06] Per seat pricing vs. value delivery. Guest: Tariq Shaukat is co-CEO of Sonar, the world's leading Clean Code solution, and is a member of Sonar's Board of Directors. Tariq has extensive experience in growing and scaling private and public companies across many domains, including cloud computing, social media, travel, and entertainment.Before joining Sonar, Tariq was the President of Bumble Inc., the parent company that operates the Bumble, Badoo, Fruitz and Official mobile apps. He joined Bumble as the company’s first ever President, and partnered with the Founder and CEO to successfully IPO and scale the company to over $900M in revenue in 2022. Prior to that, Tariq was President of Google Cloud. There, he played a key role in establishing its go-to-market operations as well as its industry and AI solutions, and scaling the company to over $12B in revenue. He has also held senior roles at Caesars Entertainment, McKinsey & Company, and Trilogy Software.Tariq serves on the Board of Trustees of Public Storage, a leading self-storage REIT, and on the Board of Directors of Gap Inc, the iconic fashion and apparel retailer. He holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and an M.S. in Technology and Policy from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, as well as an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University. ---- Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and 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.comHave 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 Marissa Saunders, Senior Director of Data Science at Recursion. They discuss the importance of research and development (R&D) in data science and its various implications for different companies. They emphasize the need to balance accuracy and completion with understanding business value and return on investment (ROI). Marissa explains how Recursion is focused on revolutionizing drug discovery by industrializing the process and incorporating more hypotheses to accelerate results and reduce costs. The goal is to move from traditional biotech to tech bio. Highlights: [00:01:50] Failing fast in drug discovery. [00:03:14] Drug discovery and AI capabilities. [00:08:25] Cooperating to gather clean data. [00:10:02] Industrializing the drug discovery process. [00:13:52] Ideation and problem-solving process. [00:17:08] Refining pipeline for drug development. [00:21:07] R&D and team setup. ---- Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and 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, Ivan Lee, the CEO of Datasaur.ai, joins Amir Bormand to discuss productizing LLMs and dealing with labeling issues. Ivan shares his insights on the productization of LLMs and provides his thoughts on the future of this technology. Tune in to learn more about the work of Datasaur.ai and the exciting developments in the AI industry. Highlights: [00:02:44] The importance of data labeling. [00:03:34] The challenge of harnessing AI. [00:06:04] Disconnect in AI capabilities. [00:09:04] The future of AI models. [00:14:41] Productization of LLMs. [00:15:36] LLMs in product innovation. [00:18:52] LLMs and evolving business models. [00:22:25] ROI in AI implementation. [00:27:10] Exploring the potential of AI. [00:29:13] NLP's transformative power. Ivan Lee graduated with a Computer Science B.S. from Stanford University and dropped out of his master’s degree to found his first company, Loki Studios. After raising institutional funding and building a profitable game, Yahoo acquired Loki. Lee spent the next 10 years building AI products at several companies and discovered a gap in serving the rapid evolution of Natural Language Processing (NLP) technologies. He built Datasaur to focus on democratizing access to NLP - Datasaur now serves companies such as Google, Netflix, Qualtrics, Spotify, and more. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iylee/ ---- Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and 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 Ross Fubini, the managing partner at XYZ Venture Capital, to discuss the growing AI opportunity and how to identify lasting trends in the field. They delve into the impact of AI on enterprise software models and its potential for cost savings. Ross shares insights on XYZ's investment focus on enterprise and fintech companies, including those in the public sector. With a portfolio of 107 businesses, XYZ aims to support and build these companies actively. Please tune in to gain valuable insights into the AI landscape and its potential for transformative growth. Highlights: [00:00:04] Growing AI opportunity. [00:02:43] AI and market shifts. [00:05:45] The Internet's transformative potential. [00:09:18] AI opportunity and emerging technologies. [00:10:20] AI-powered consulting and new enterprise systems. [00:15:38] Narrow AI application opportunities. [00:19:27] Pricing and market disruption. [00:23:12] AI growth in technology. [00:24:29] AI Opportunities and Adoption. [00:28:42] Leveraging AI for legacy brands. [00:30:04] Generative AI and business opportunities. [00:35:10] Looking back on emerging technologies. Guest: Ross Fubini is the founder and Managing Partner of XYZ Venture Capital. He’s made a career as a successful early-stage technology investor and is passionate about connecting people to build insightful products. Ross is from Virginia and is now based in San Francisco, where he married a local with whom he has two children and goes over the top on holidays. He is an avid triathlete, marathon runner, and previous Ironman competitor. Ross likes to go faster in all things - from races to building companies. https://www.linkedin.com/in/fubini/ ---- Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and 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 interviews Stephen Chu, the Chief Legal and People Officer at InStride, about the impact of education on talent retention, attraction, and tenure. InStride partners with academic institutions to offer education programs for large enterprise companies, including high school degrees, college degrees, non-degree certificates, and coding courses. The goal is to create a win-win situation for employees, employers, and academic institutions. As employees gain new skills, employers benefit from upskilled talent, and academic institutions gain more learners. Highlights  [00:00:04] Impact of education on talent. [00:02:26] Importance of combined legal and HR role. [00:05:30] Retention and Mobility. [00:09:30] Facilitating professional growth opportunities. [00:10:23] CEO buy-in and program success. [00:13:44] Advanced professionals are improving their skills. [00:15:03] The importance of continuous learning. [00:18:28] Education improves retention. [00:21:42] Educational benefits and improvement. Stephen Chu is the Chief Legal and People Officer at InStride, the partner of choice for businesses creating sustainable advantage and social impact through strategic workforce education programs that enable continuous growth for their people. As Chief Legal and People Officer, Stephen oversees legal and human resources. Prior to InStride, Stephen was the General Counsel at Zwift, a global fitness platform for cyclists and runners, where he led all legal and compliance matters. https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-chu-2189042a/ ---- Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and 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)