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

Caterpillar is celebrating 100 years of innovation—and it’s just getting started. In this episode of Technovation, host Peter High welcomes Jamie Engstrom, CIO and SVP of IT at Caterpillar, to discuss how the industrial giant is evolving through data strategy, digital transformation, and customer-centric innovation. Jamie shares her insights on leading a global IT organization of 2,200 professionals, the company’s customer-back mindset, and how Caterpillar leverages AI, telematics, and real-time analytics to support over 4 million assets across the globe. From smart manufacturing to supply chain modernization and condition monitoring systems, Jamie explores how Caterpillar is shaping the next century of industrial excellence. Key topics include: Caterpillar’s enterprise-wide data strategy and AI integration The role of IT in supporting 1.5M+ connected machines Supply chain optimization with predictive analytics Strategic CIO-CDO collaboration and leadership development Creating a sustainable future through smart infrastructure

Hertz CIO Tim Langley-Hawthorne joins Peter High on Technovation to share how he’s modernizing a $9B global fleet operation through AI, cloud, and a product-first mindset. Since joining post-COVID, Tim has sunset Hertz’s data centers, scaled AWS infrastructure, launched a consumer+fleet product org, and embedded AI from customer chat to tire inspections. He explains why he rejected a centralized AI model, the power of grassroots innovation, and why partnerships with firms like Palantir and Amadeus are accelerating results. This episode is packed with real-world digital transformation strategies from a high-stakes, asset-heavy enterprise.   Highlights include: Product Operating Model: Merged consumer and fleet tech under dual product strategy. AI in Action: How decentralized AI is enhancing CX, fleet, and operational speed. Fleet Optimization: Partnership with Palantir to keep cars rented and moving. Post-COVID Reset: Lessons in fleet lifecycle economics and demand response. Culture Change: Infusing big tech talent with long-tenured ops veterans.

A unified customer experience helps companies deliver consistency, build trust, and reduce friction across their offerings making it easier for customers to engage, buy, and stay loyal. That’s why Aflac is investing in a unified group strategy consolidating acquired products into a seamless, integrated experience across dental, vision, disability, and more. In this episode of Technovation, Peter High interviews Shelia Anderson, EVP and CIO of Aflac, and speaks with her about the company’s strategy for transforming IT from a fragmented, acquisition-heavy operation into a centralized, data-driven engine for business value. She outlines how Aflac avoided a costly cloud migration misstep, refocused its data and AI capabilities, and aligned talent strategy with architectural goals. Her approach to innovation is pragmatic and powerful: tie everything to business priorities and know your why. Highlights include: AI at Scale: Legacy ML driving value in claims; GenAI mapped to entire insurance lifecycle Talent Shift: Reducing third-party reliance and redefining internal job architecture Unified Group Strategy: Streamlined digital experience across acquired businesses Smart Cloud Strategy: Focused migration driven by value, not hype Innovation Alignment: Hatch Lab and GenAI tied to Aflac’s top goals

What does it take to digitally transform a $5B retail giant across 13 countries? In this episode of Technovation, Peter High sits down with Wayne Sadin, Chief Information Officer of PriceSmart, the largest membership-based warehouse club chain in Central America, the Caribbean, and Colombia. With a tech leadership career spanning over 40 years, Wayne shares how he’s orchestrating a sweeping modernization of PriceSmart’s legacy systems—moving from 1980s green screens to a real-time, AI-ready infrastructure. He outlines how embedding IT within the business, redefining budgeting to drive alignment, and creating cross-functional collaboration have helped accelerate transformation in a complex, multi-market environment. Wayne also explores: The evolution from Excel silos to integrated digital retailing Enabling e-commerce, B2B, and in-club experiences simultaneously Building sustainable operations and community impact through technology Why legacy retailers must act now to stay relevant in an Amazon-era economy

Jim Siders, the Chief Information Officer at Palantir and a former classical musician, shares insights into leading an ultra-efficient IT team within a $3.7 billion data analytics company. He discusses the innovative 'Customer Zero' strategy that informs product development and the drastic reduction of IT staff while enhancing impact. Siders emphasizes the pivotal role of AI and automation in reshaping enterprise IT, advocating for abandoning outdated structures to foster innovation and flexibility within tech teams.

In this episode of Technovation, host Peter High speaks with Ryan Snyder, Senior VP & CIO of Thermo Fisher Scientific, a $40 billion global leader in life sciences. Ryan shares how AI, automation, and data strategy are driving digital transformation—optimizing operations, accelerating clinical trials, and enhancing customer experiences. Key topics include: Thermo Fisher’s Three-Pillar AI Strategy – How AI is improving efficiency, products, and customer experience AI in Clinical Trials & Automation – Reducing drug development timelines and streamlining internal workflows Embedding IT Leaders in Business Units – A unique approach to aligning technology and business strategy Future AI Trends – Multimodal AI, reasoning models, and the next phase of AI-driven decision-making The Role of Empathy in IT Leadership – Ensuring AI enhances human collaboration, not replaces it

How is AI revolutionizing healthcare? In this episode of Technovation, Melissa Flicek, CIO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, joins host Peter High to explore how the nearly 100-year-old healthcare giant is leveraging AI and data analytics to enhance patient experiences and operational efficiency. With $15B+ in annual revenue, BCBSMN is modernizing its technology infrastructure, implementing AI-powered automation to streamline patient interactions, and consolidating data into a single-source architecture to ensure consistency across all touchpoints. Melissa shares how these innovations are improving customer service, optimizing clinical workflows, and supporting predictive healthcare modeling to help lower costs. Key topics include: How BCBSMN is using AI to accelerate patient approvals and improve decision-making The role of data governance in ensuring AI-driven healthcare is accurate and ethical How predictive analytics is helping employers proactively manage rising healthcare costs The future of AI-driven patient engagement, clinical automation, and digital healthcare experiences

Marvell Technology is at the forefront of AI-driven semiconductor innovation. In this episode, Nishit Sahay, CIO of Marvell Technology, joins Peter High to discuss the company’s rapid growth, enterprise AI strategy, and the transition of semiconductor design to the cloud. Nishit shares how Marvell is leveraging AI and data analytics to enhance decision-making, improve semiconductor product development, and accelerate business processes. He also provides insights into the challenges of integrating $10B+ acquisitions and how Marvell is pioneering cloud-based silicon design with AWS. Additionally, Nishit discusses quantum computing, data governance, and how Marvell is preparing for the next wave of technology disruption. Key topics include: AI’s role in semiconductor innovation Cloud-based silicon design & customizable compute Fast-tracking billion-dollar acquisitions Building an enterprise-wide data-driven culture The future of quantum computing

956: How can AI, data analytics, and predictive modeling revolutionize healthcare? In this episode of Technovation, host Peter High interviews Matt Kull, Chief Information and Digital Officer at Inova Health System, about how AI and data are reshaping patient care. Matt shares how AI is helping to automate administrative tasks, secure patient data, and predict hospital resource needs. He also discusses the future of edge computing and wireless technology in healthcare, ensuring hospitals operate more efficiently while delivering personalized, data-driven treatments. Topics Include: How Inova is leveraging AI & automation to tackle healthcare workforce shortages. The importance of data privacy and ethical AI implementation. How predictive analytics improves staffing, supply chain, and decision-making. The impact of edge computing and 5G on future hospital infrastructure.

How can AI revolutionize the $2B+ quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry? In this episode of Technovation, Wendy’s CIO Matt Spessard joins Peter High to reveal how the company is leveraging AI, automation, and digital transformation to enhance customer and crew experiences. With 7,000+ locations worldwide, Wendy’s is redefining fast food with FreshAi, its AI-powered drive-thru assistant, developed in partnership with Google Cloud. Matt shares how this cutting-edge technology is boosting order accuracy, improving speed, and optimizing crew workflows. Plus, he discusses how Wendy’s revamped CRM, loyalty program, and mobile-first strategy led to 40% growth in digital revenue in 2024. Key Takeaways: FreshAi: The AI-powered drive-thru system redefining QSR efficiency. 40% Digital Growth: How Wendy’s revamped CRM and mobile experience is driving revenue. AI-Driven Innovation: Wendy’s framework for testing, iterating, and rejecting 6 out of 7 ideas. The Future of AI in QSR: Edge computing, spatial computing & what’s next for digital transformation.