The Tech Trek

In this episode, Amir interviews Siddharth Ram, the CTO of Velocity Global, about the impact of hackathons on innovation. They discuss the benefits and challenges of hackathons, as well as the importance of compliance in today's borderless work environment. Siddharth explains that Velocity Global helps companies navigate hiring and compliance regulations worldwide. The hackathons at Velocity Global provide engineers with four days of uninterrupted work, fostering creativity and collaboration. Tune in to learn more about the power of hackathons in driving innovation. Highlights: [00:02:45] Impactful hackathon projects. [00:05:58] Happiness and productivity in hackathons. [00:08:37] Surprising customer impact. [00:14:21] AI and generative AI. [00:15:10] Celebrating customer feedback. [00:19:07] The genesis of giving everyone three uninterrupted days. [00:23:07] R&D/hackathon budget. Guest: Siddharth Ram is the CTO of Velocity Global, which helps businesses hire and manage employees in 185 countries worldwide. Before Velocity Global, he was the CTO of Inflection.com/GoodHire.com, which was acquired by Checkr.com in 2022. He held leadership positions at Intuit before this. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/siddharthram/ --- 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 of The Tech Trek, Amir talks with Keenan Wyrobek, co-founder and CTO of Zipline, about building one of the world’s largest autonomous logistics platforms. From delivering life-saving supplies in remote regions to scaling precision delivery in urban areas, Keenan shares how Zipline combines first-principles thinking, tight hardware-software integration, and customer obsession to create a mission-critical product that redefines what's possible.🔑 Key TakeawaysTalk to the Customer, Not Just About Them: True product breakthroughs come from deeply understanding—not just listening to—customers.Parallel Innovation: Zipline tackles hardware and software together, with dedicated teams focused on de-risking product-critical challenges.Celebrate Speed of Learning: Zipline rewards the pace of iteration over polished perfection to maintain forward momentum.Architect for Simplicity: Complexity is the enemy—every system must be ruthlessly simplified during the design process.🧠 Standout Quote“Shut up, get out, go understand what the customer needs… Every trade we make should be based on what matters to the customer.” – Keenan Wyrobek⏱️ Timestamped Highlights00:04 – Why engineering leaders spend a third of their time recruiting01:50 – How Zipline evolved from medical supply drops to metro-area deliveries04:51 – Field research before code: trips to Central America and Africa08:18 – Prototyping from first principles and failed assumptions about drone availability11:40 – Why Zipline had to build software reliability from scratch14:32 – Keenan’s favorite interview technique to find first-principles thinkers16:44 – “Bet the company” checkpoints and the conceptual/alpha/design phase breakdown22:58 – Why risks, not domains, dictate Zipline’s team structure25:58 – Organizing Zipline’s hardware/software teams around systems and simplicity29:58 – How Zipline sustains motivation through customer connection and rapid learning

Privacy engineering is booming—and you don’t need a JD to join the movement. In this episode, Amir sits down with Hoang Bao, Global Head of Privacy and Data Privacy Officer at Axon (formerly at Netflix, Google, Twitch), to break down what privacy engineering is, how it overlaps with data governance, and why it’s one of the most accessible and high-impact areas emerging in tech today. Whether you're a software engineer, data professional, or policy nerd, this episode shows you how to pivot into privacy—no legal background necessary.📌 Key Takeaways:Privacy engineering is still defining itself—and that's an opportunity.You don’t need a legal degree to work in privacy, but you do need to understand regulations.Certifications + champion programs are a great entry point into the field.The rise of AI and data complexity is accelerating demand for privacy talent.Diverse paths exist—privacy roles can sit in legal, security, engineering, even marketing.⏱️ Timestamped Highlights:[00:01:06] What is privacy engineering? Why there's no universal definition yet.[00:03:52] Data governance vs. privacy—how they intersect and where they differ.[00:06:00] How data governance pulled Hoang into privacy nearly 20 years ago.[00:08:00] The impact of GDPR and global regulations on team growth.[00:10:13] The historical dominance of legal backgrounds in privacy—and why that’s changing.[00:13:24] How non-lawyers can break into the field: certifications and community.[00:17:00] Becoming a “privacy champion” inside your org as a tactical first step.[00:20:00] Where privacy lives: legal, infosec, engineering, or elsewhere.[00:21:00] Will the Chief Privacy Officer (CPO) become more common?[00:22:49] DPO vs. CPO—compliance vs. strategy roles.[00:24:45] Why people are finally realizing they can become privacy engineers.Featured Quote"Even though a legal degree is not necessary, understanding the regulation and the law is important. What I've found that could help folks get that foundation is to think about certification that will give you one foot into the door."Career Action ItemsImmediate Steps:Research IAPP certifications and privacy regulations (GDPR, CCPA, etc.)Identify your company's privacy team or who handles privacy functionsConnect with privacy professionals on LinkedInMedium-term Goals:Volunteer as a privacy champion at your current companyAttend privacy engineering meetups and conferencesBuild relationships in the privacy communityLong-term Strategy:Consider formal privacy certificationLook for privacy-adjacent roles in your current organizationExplore opportunities at data-heavy companiesResources & Links International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) - iapp.orgPrivacy Engineering Advisory BoardGDPR and global privacy regulations researchWhy This Matters NowWith AI driving increased focus on data governance and privacy regulations expanding globally, privacy engineering sits at the intersection of technology, law, and business strategy. Companies need professionals who can implement privacy by design, not just react to compliance requirements.The bottom line: This is your chance to get in early on a field that's about to explode. The community is small enough that networking actually works, companies desperately need help, and you don't need to go back to law school to make the transition.Ready to explore privacy engineering? Share this episode with someone who's looking for their next career move in tech.

In this episode, Adam Jacob, CEO and co-founder of System Initiative, joins the podcast to discuss the reasons behind less than ideal results in DevOps. He explains the failure rates and highlights important insights to look for in reports. Adam also discusses the second wave of DevOps tools and their impact. The conversation delves into the work of System Initiative. This company has reimagined the workflow for DevOps work by creating a collaborative power tool that removes the challenges faced in current DevOps practices. The goal is to enhance collaboration, shorten feedback loops, and create high-fidelity models while allowing for higher-level abstractions. Highlights [00:00:23] Rethinking DevOps workflow. [00:03:46] Ideal implementation of DevOps. [00:08:35] Collaboration in remote culture. [00:10:19] Collaboration in remote work. [00:14:35] What's wrong with our DevOps outcomes? [00:17:46] Lead time for cloud infrastructure. [00:21:19] Transparency and collaboration. [00:24:08] Collaboration and complexity in deployments. [00:27:14] Second wave of DevOps. [00:31:18] Second wave DevOps and change. [00:36:02] Building something better than mediocrity. [00:38:03] Building new deployment automation scripting language. [00:41:15] Fixing Bad Outcomes. Guest: Adam Jacob is an engineering and product innovator with decades of experience designing, building, and managing large production systems. He is the CEO, Chairman, and Co-founder of System Initiative. Adam previously co-founded Chef Software was the original author of Chef, served as CTO, and was on the board of directors. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjacob/ --- 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, Gary Cao, an Analytics leader, joins the podcast to discuss proactive and reactive states of data, defensive and offensive strategies, and the value of data in both contexts. Gary shares his extensive experience as an analytics officer leader and offers insights into how companies often misunderstand the true value of their data. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of how to leverage data for revenue generation and strategic decision-making. Highlights: 00:01:36 Unlocking data value: Offensive vs Defensive 00:09:01 Data is essential for decision-making. 00:12:02 Data analytics drives revenue growth. 00:22:01 Benchmarking competitors is essential. 00:25:11 Data analytics is a strategic resource. 00:31:21 Properly serve data and analytics. Guest: Gary Cao, known as 'Mr. Ge,' provides expert guidance to CEOs and boards on analytics and AI strategy, taking on roles such as a fractional Chief Data and Analytics Officer (CDAO) or Chief AI Officer (CAIO). Boasting a 20-year tenure as a CDAO and a seasoned founder of internal analytics startups, Cao has demonstrated a robust track record across eight companies, with revenues ranging from $40 million to $120 billion. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garycao/ --- 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)

Aaron Wilkerson, Senior Manager of Data Strategy and Governance at Carhartt, joins Amir to explore how data strategy connects directly to business performance. In this conversation, Aaron shares how Carhartt’s 130 year old mission of serving hardworking people shapes every data decision, from governance and forecasting to AI adoption. He explains how data leaders can move beyond reporting and plumbing to owning outcomes, influencing revenue, and earning a true seat at the table.Key Takeaways• Data strategy only works when it’s tied to the company’s “why.” At Carhartt, that means reflecting the brand’s values of durability, service, and accountability across every data initiative.• Earning a seat at the table means proving that data impacts sales, cost savings, or risk reduction, not just reporting.• Governance and change management are about people, not just processes. Education and accountability drive transformation.• AI and advanced analytics create value only when rooted in solid data and business alignment.• The Chief Data Officer role is shifting from defense (governance) to offense (growth and revenue influence).Timestamped Highlights[02:15] Connecting brand identity to data strategy and why “wearing the product” matters for understanding the business.[06:57] Making the case for data as a revenue critical process and the real meaning of having a seat at the table.[10:46] Balancing long planning cycles with fast moving marketing and e commerce needs.[18:21] Change management as the hidden skill behind successful data governance.[25:33] Why data teams struggle to show ROI and what they can learn from marketing.[28:29] The evolution of the Chief Data Officer role and why accountability is the next frontier.A Line That Sticks“Even the best AI can’t outwork a bad process or a team that doesn’t know how they fit into it.” — Aaron WilkersonPro Tips• Tie every data project to a measurable outcome such as revenue growth, cost reduction, or efficiency.• Build internal champions by solving real problems, not by adding extra work.• Learn from sales and marketing since they’ve mastered attribution and ROI storytelling.Call to ActionIf you enjoyed this episode, follow The Tech Trek for more conversations at the intersection of data, leadership, and impact. Share it with someone in your network who’s driving digital change and wants to connect strategy with business results.

In this episode, Amir interviews Kunal Agarwal, the co-founder and CEO of Unravel Data. They discuss purpose-built AI and how Unravel Data leverages AI in their platform. They also explore the symbiotic relationship between AI-driven products and engineering teams. Kunal explains that Unravel Data is a data observability and FinOps platform data engineering teams use to ensure data applications run smoothly and efficiently. They also discuss the importance of scaling data operations and managing costs in a rapidly growing data landscape. This episode highlights AI's role in improving engineers' lives and optimizing data operations. Highlights: [00:01:25] Purpose-built AI for data.  [00:05:39] Shift to narrow AI solutions.  [00:09:54] Automating repetitive tasks.  [00:12:09] Data engineers' time-consuming tasks.  [00:17:33] Automated testing and checks.  [00:19:43] Why is this thing so expensive?  [00:24:44] Understanding unit cost and optimization.  [00:27:57] Optimization opportunities with AI. Guest Kunal Agarwal is CEO and Co-founder of Unravel Data, a data observability and FinOps platform that utilizes purpose-built AI to enable large enterprises to deliver on the promise of data-driven products and insights with speed, scale, and cost efficiency. Kunal started his entrepreneurial journey by co-founding Yuuze.com, a pioneer in e-commerce personalization. He has held sales and implementation leadership roles for Oracle products at several Fortune 100 organizations and helped Sun Microsystems run its Grid Computing Engine. In addition to building and steering the Unravel Data team, Kunal is passionate about drifting cars sideways around the track at 100 mph+. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kunalkunal/ --- 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, host Amir welcomes Sue Nallapeta, the CTO of Trusted Health, to discuss the implementation of AI in products and the importance of data quality. They emphasize the need for a solid framework and data structure before integrating AI solutions. Sue shares examples of how AI can bring value to customers and improve business outcomes. They also explore how Trusted Health, a marketplace connecting nurses with jobs, incorporates AI into their operations. Tune in to gain insights into leveraging AI effectively in your product. Highlights [00:02:27] Leveraging AI in healthcare.  [00:03:51] Nurses uploading their resumes.  [00:08:12] Data governance and AI.  [00:12:35] Complexity of nursing recruitment.  [00:16:46] AI's presence in every workflow.  [00:19:30] Technology trends and industry evolution.  [00:24:43] Understanding nursing complexities.  [00:26:10] Nursing complexities. Sushma (Sue) Nallapeta is the Chief Technology Officer at Trusted Health, where she leads a team of more than 100 engineers who are building the leading career marketplace for healthcare professionals. Sue has more than 15 years of experience leading engineering teams across various consumer-facing businesses and marketplaces, including Apartment List, Zoosk (acquired by Spark Networks), and Kodak Gallery (acquired by Shutterfly). She is a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion initiatives and for creating products that help people solve everyday problems through the power of technology. Sue serves as a mentor and a resource for other aspiring female engineers and engineering leaders through her work as an ambassador for SheTO and as a mentor with Plato. Sue holds a master's degree in Computer Science and is a mother to an 8-year-old daughter. linkedin.com/in/sushmanallapeta twitter.com/sushmars --- 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, Hari Kodakalla, the Head of Data Analytics at Frost Bank, joins the podcast to discuss responsible AI and the challenges of last-mile adoption. They explore topics such as regulatory protection from a customer perspective, the composition of an effective AI team, and the ongoing importance of human involvement in AI processes. The conversation delves into the impact of AI and machine learning in various areas, including deepfake videos and content issues. The concept of responsible AI is explored, highlighting the need for ethical and accountable use of AI technology. Highlights [00:00:56] Responsible AI explained.  [00:04:20] The governance aspect of AI implementation.  [00:11:56] Trust and transparency in AI.  [00:14:48] Responsible AI implementation.  [00:19:51] Responsible AI in corporate environments.  [00:22:39] The impact of the cloud on cybersecurity.  [00:26:45] Responsible AI in an AI-driven world. Hari Kodakalla is the Head of Data and Analytics at Frost Bank, with over 27 years of experience in various industries. Hari is a visionary leader in the field of data-driven transformation. He has a track record of leveraging technology to drive impactful change and has held executive positions in innovative technology companies specializing in big data and analytics. Hari is known for turning data into actionable insights using AI and ML and has championed a data-centric culture at Frost Bank. Under his leadership, Frost Bank has seen transformative outcomes, including optimized propensity models, streamlined operations, and personalized customer interactions. Hari advocates for embracing cutting-edge technologies like Gen-Ai and is recognized as a leading authority for adopting AI in his bank. He holds an MBA from the University of Texas @ Dallas and is dedicated to steering Frost Bank toward a data-driven future. You can connect with him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harikodakalla--- 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 Fady Matar, the VP of Engineering at Spotter, about his approach to being a super hands-on engineering leader. Fadi shares his views on how he relates to his team, avoids being a bottleneck, and understands the work at a deep level. They discuss the pros and cons of different engineering management styles and how being hands-on can benefit a team. Fadi also provides insight into the size and organization of his team at Spotter, highlighting their exciting product and the need for scalability. Tune in to learn more about Fadi's super-involved approach to engineering leadership. Highlights: [00:00:19] Being a super involved engineering leader.  [00:06:52] Choosing the right vertical.  [00:09:38] Sustainability in team growth.  [00:12:40] Avoiding being a bottleneck. [00:16:17] Managers understanding code and standards.  [00:20:25] Engineering culture and data.  [00:27:29] Startups as jazz bands.  [00:31:52] Defining product specifications. [00:32:10] Product specifications and frameworks. As Spotter's VP of Software Engineering, Fady Matar is spearheading the development of AI-focused tools for creators. Known for his curiosity and enthusiasm, he has a rich background in Open Source Frameworks like vertx.io, quarkus.io, and hibernate.org. Fady is committed to pushing the boundaries of AI and software engineering. With the goal of becoming a transformative figure in the AI field, Fady is dedicated to integrating AI advancements with software engineering best practices. Outside of tech, he is a professional musician, proficient in classical, flamenco, and jazz guitar. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fmatar --- 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)