The Engineering Leadership Podcast

Miriam Aguirre, Co-founder and CEO of Ingenimax, shares her insights on the evolving landscape of platform engineering. She discusses how natural language can transform interactions with infrastructure, shifting engineers from tactical tasks to strategic roles as curators. The conversation delves into the need for rapid onboarding, the balance between standardization and flexibility, and the role of human judgment in a world increasingly dominated by AI. Expect a fascinating look at the future of engineering leadership and hands-on innovation.

Chrystal Henke Ball, VP of Engineering at Yahoo, shares her insights from her extensive experience leading teams at Google and beyond. She discusses balancing current constraints with future possibilities, urging leaders to challenge assumptions and adapt architectures. Chrystal highlights the importance of grit in leadership, advocating for transparency and collaboration across product, engineering, and design teams. With practical strategies on cultivating resilience and leveraging AI for innovation, she emphasizes evolving workflows and maintaining focus on user impact.

Simone Kalmakis, VP of Engineering at Viam, has a rich background in AI, big data, and building healthy teams across tech industries. She shares her journey transitioning from health-tech to climate tech, emphasizing the application of leadership in mission-driven settings. Simone discusses how she prioritizes depth in managing teams, outlines her onboarding framework for new domains, and highlights innovative technology uses in everyday life to enhance experiences. Her insights provide a roadmap for navigating leadership across diverse technical challenges.

Ben Kus, CTO at Box, shares insights from his extensive career in engineering and AI strategy. He discusses the transformative potential of generative AI for enterprises and the need for a balanced technical vision that prioritizes innovation and security. Kus emphasizes the importance of a ‘multi-speed’ organization to foster agility while maintaining stability. He also delves into the challenges of integrating AI agents, touching on effective risk management and compliance, and highlights emerging trends in enterprise AI.

Engineering leadership is evolving, requiring a fresh approach to navigate the new landscape. Discover insights on the transformative role of AI and the essential skills for innovative teamwork. The upcoming conference promises personalized mentorship and community-building among leaders. Attendees will explore deep dives into companies like OpenAI and gain tactical frameworks to enhance their leadership. With a renewed focus on emotional intelligence and collaboration, this event is set to equip leaders for success in an ever-changing environment.

Michael Grinich, the founder and CEO of WorkOS, shares his innovative approach to product development where engineers take on responsibilities usually held by product managers and designers. He discusses the advantages of a flattened organizational structure and direct communication between developers and users. Grinich emphasizes the importance of user-centric thinking, adaptability, and cultivating curiosity within teams. Additionally, he highlights the role of tools like Model Context Protocol in revolutionizing software development, making coding more accessible to everyone.

Srinath Kuruvadi, a globally recognized cybersecurity executive and Managing Director at JPMorgan Chase, shares his insights on influencing without authority in engineering leadership. He discusses the importance of empathy, trust, and shared goals in building stakeholder relationships. Srinath highlights strategies for navigating challenges in collaborative environments and emphasizes the trend of integrating AI in security. His innovative ideas on operationalizing curiosity through The Innovation Lab show how to inspire teams and drive meaningful change in technology.

Join John Amaral, CTO and co-founder of Root.io, a veteran leader in cybersecurity, as he discusses the evolving role of engineering leaders in today’s tech landscape. He introduces the concept of 'Shift Out' in development strategies and the transformative potential of AI in enhancing developer productivity. John emphasizes empowering teams with a vision-first approach and the importance of innovative thinking while tackling software vulnerabilities. He also highlights using creativity and AI to streamline workflows and redefine the future of software development.

This week, the focus is on an exciting upcoming event for engineering leaders. Expect over 1,000 top professionals, including CTOs and VPs, coming together for two days of invaluable leadership breakthroughs. The discussion emphasizes the importance of curated networking opportunities and peer learning. Don’t miss the chance to secure early bird tickets and be part of this transformative experience in San Francisco!

Dhruv Parthasarathy, CTO at Commure and expert in healthcare AI, shares insights on optimizing decision-making in tech. He highlights the need for rapid prototyping to foster innovation, especially in fast-paced startups. Dhruv discusses structuring teams for efficiency, emphasizing the value of clear roles and independence. He also explores the unique challenges of building effective healthcare engineering teams, advocating for passionate hires. Plus, he offers a creative perspective on personal growth and the importance of meaningful engagement in life and leadership.