Technovation with Peter High (CIO, CTO, CDO, CXO Interviews)

Mike Hayes, a former Navy SEAL and Managing Director at Insight Partners, discusses the strategic advantage of having a clear mission in business. He emphasizes the importance of identity over roles, advising organizations to align their missions with leadership for elite performance. Mike shares lessons from SEAL training on constructive feedback and making effective decisions. He also reflects on the balance between ambition and purpose, underscoring humility as a key leadership quality. His insights are drawn from high-stakes experiences, making for a compelling conversation.

1030: What does it take to evolve IT into a forward-looking innovation engine? Mike Blandina, CIO of Snowflake, shares how he's reimagined IT as "Enterprise Technology" as a way to describe what 'IT' really does: lead a solutions-first mindset at Snowflake designed for the AI era. In this conversation, Mike reflects on his first eight months leading tech at one of the world’s most AI-forward data cloud companies.

1029: What if your hiring strategy were fueled by the largest contingent workforce dataset in the world? Magnit CEO Chandra Dhandapani joins Technovation to explore how data is reshaping how companies think about talent—from role design to sourcing strategy to real-time labor cost insights. Chandra also shares lessons from her journey from CIO to CEO and offers perspective on why automation—not AI—is the skill trend to watch.

1028: How can AI be designed from the customer back and not the model forward? Hari Gopalkrishnan, Chief Technology and Information Officer at Bank of America, joins Peter High to share how one of the world's largest financial institutions grounds its AI strategy in user behavior. From developing Erica to enabling employees with tools like Ask Merrill, Hari explains why every AI solution must begin with real customer or employee friction.

Doug Schmitt, President of Dell Technologies Services and CIO of Dell, dives into the impressive transformation of 800 AI initiatives into four scalable platforms that drive efficiency across coding, service, supply chain, and sales. He emphasizes viewing AI as both a tech and business model disruptor. Doug also discusses Dell's 'customer zero' strategy for rapid testing, agentic AI's potential to streamline operations, and the importance of a company-wide structure for implementing successful AI experiments. The future looks bright with innovations in physical AI and robotics!

6: What does it take to play the long game in innovation? Venture capitalist Brad Feld has spent four decades answering that question as a founder, mentor, and early-stage investor in companies like Fitbit, MakerBot, and Techstars. In this episode, Feld unpacks the enduring impact of mentorship, the logic behind his "Give First" philosophy, and how startups and enterprises alike can benefit from ecosystem thinking.

Beaumont Vance, SVP of Data and AI at Paychex, discusses transforming payroll data into invaluable economic insights that benefit businesses and the U.S. economy. He highlights how Paychex monetizes data responsibly and emphasizes the importance of statistical precision over surveys. Vance shares his experience in building an AI-ready data infrastructure and the potential of AI agents in revolutionizing knowledge management. He also explores the future of AI with augmented reality interfaces, making technology more seamless and actionable.

Saul Van Beurden, the CEO of Consumer, Small, and Business Banking at Wells Fargo, previously held CIO roles at JPMorgan Chase. He explores how his tech leadership experience prepared him for his current role, emphasizing the importance of translating technology into enterprise-wide strategy. Topics include leveraging AI for operational efficiency, enhancing customer experiences post-pandemic, and implementing neurodiversity hiring, which boosts productivity while fostering an inclusive workplace. Saul also shares insights on continuous learning and future tech innovations.

Anil Bhatt, Chief Information and Digital Officer of Norfolk Southern, discusses the freight rail giant's innovative approach to AI and data strategy. He emphasizes a disciplined, ROI-driven methodology for deploying AI, ensuring it delivers real value in operations. Anil outlines the company's '3 As' framework for effective data governance and explores how AI enhances safety and resilience. He also shares insights on integrating transportation networks for seamless logistics and reflects on the exciting trends reshaping the industry.

Ramon Richards, Chief Technology Officer at T. Rowe Price, drives innovation in AI while managing risks. He discusses strategies for scaling AI responsibly, including the creation of AI Labs and launching "ChatTRP" for organization-wide access. Ramon emphasizes the importance of data readiness and cloud architecture for generative AI. He also highlights the need for upskilling talent in AI literacy and change management, and explores future trends like agentic AI, all while ensuring a culture of trust and productivity in AI implementations.