
AWS Executive Insights
The Executive Insights podcast, brought to you by AWS (Amazon Web Services), features peer-to-peer conversations between business executives on innovating for growth, building resiliency, and shaping the future of their organizations.Learn more at AWS Executive Insights and follow us on LinkedIn. For video versions of these and other conversations, subscribe to our YouTube playlist.
Latest episodes

Mar 13, 2025 • 18min
Security is in our DNA: A Conversation with AWS CEO Matt Garman
In this episode, Clarke Rodgers, Director of AWS Enterprise Strategy, interviews Matt Garman, CEO of AWS, exploring the company’s deeply rooted security culture. Garman, who was also AWS’s first product manager, discusses how security has been "priority zero" since the company's inception. From upholding cloud security best practices to navigating AI security challenges, Garman discusses how AWS embeds security into every aspect of its operations. He also delves into the AWS shared responsibility model and discusses how AWS approaches data sovereignty, offering valuable perspectives for business leaders and security professionals looking to strengthen their cloud security posture.

Mar 4, 2025 • 20min
How BMW Group is Driving Business Resilience with Generative AI
Get the inside scoop on BMW Group's data and AI transformation journey in this discussion with Marco Görgmaier, VP of Enterprise Platforms, Data and AI. Listen in as AWS Enterprise Strategist Matthias Patzak interviews Marco about how BMW Group is revolutionizing its operations through generative AI. From AI-powered quality control to customer service innovations, you’ll hear how BMW is balancing innovation with security, managing data governance, and building a future-ready vision for global scale and resilience. Whether you're interested in automotive industry trends, data governance in large enterprises, or the future of manufacturing, this conversation offers valuable insights into how traditional manufacturers can successfully embrace the AI revolution.

Feb 27, 2025 • 26min
Modernizing Public Media for the Streaming Age at PBS
Hear from Ira Rubenstein, Chief Digital and Marketing Officer at PBS, as he discusses the transformation of public media for the streaming age. Drawing from his 20+ years of experience championing digital innovation in Hollywood, Rubenstein details PBS's evolution into a sophisticated digital platform delivering 400 million streams monthly. He highlights PBS's unique challenges as a membership organization of 300+ local stations, its commitment to accessibility, and innovative approaches to digital fundraising. The discussion emphasizes PBS's role as a national treasure adapting to rapid technological change while maintaining its core mission of providing free, educational content to all Americans.

Feb 25, 2025 • 30min
Global Tech Leadership: Pioneering Innovation from the UAE
In this episode, CEO of Technology Innovation Institute Dr. Najwa Aaraj shares her journey from Princeton researcher to leading one of the UAE's most innovative organizations, discussing her leadership principles and vision for technological advancement. She provides insights into TII's groundbreaking work in AI including the Falcon LLM, the importance of open-source innovation, and her commitment to using technology for societal benefit while fostering a diverse, collaborative research environment spanning 84 countries.

Feb 20, 2025 • 28min
Right-sizing security across Amazon businesses with CSO Steve Schmidt
Security leadership requires a holistic approach across physical and digital domains — and Amazon's diverse business portfolio presents unique challenges and opportunities in both realms. In this interview with Steve Schmidt, Amazon's Chief Security Officer, we'll explore how Amazon implements security across AWS, amazon.com, Whole Foods, Prime Video, Kuiper and more. Join the conversation as Clarke Rodgers, Director of AWS Enterprise Strategy asks Steve about how Amazon standardizes security across businesses, leverages generative AI to improve application security, and enables comprehensive threat intelligence through tools like MadPot. Listen now to learn how modern security leaders can combine physical and information security to combat evolving threats from both cyberattacks and human espionage.

Feb 18, 2025 • 30min
Leading with Humanity: A Conversation with Amazon Board Member Edith Cooper
In this episode, Edith Cooper, Amazon Board Member and former Goldman Sachs CHRO, discusses leadership, organizational culture, and human connection in the modern workplace. Cooper shares insights from her experiences at Goldman Sachs and as co-founder of Medley, a coaching organization. She emphasizes the importance of maintaining customer centricity, fostering authentic human connections, and leveraging data and technology while preserving human expertise. Cooper highlights how Amazon's culture manifests through its governance practices and discusses the evolving relationship between HR and technology in driving organizational success. Throughout, she stresses the enduring importance of human skills in an AI-driven world.

Feb 11, 2025 • 30min
Rise of the Technical CxO: How leaders can stay ahead of the curve
Ira Rubensee, Chief Digital and Marketing Officer for PBS, and Kiana Schmidl, Chief Human Experience Officer at WorkHuman, delve into the evolving role of technical CXOs. They discuss the necessity for digital fluency and continuous learning in today's tech-centric world. Rubensee shares his journey through Hollywood’s digital marketing scene, while Schmidl emphasizes integrating play into work culture. Both guests highlight the importance of vulnerability, curiosity, and fostering innovation to navigate rapid technological advancements and enhance organizational adaptability.

7 snips
Jan 28, 2025 • 30min
Adapting security practices to the new threat landscape
Steve Schmidt, Amazon's Chief Security Officer, shares his expertise on effective communication strategies for security updates, emphasizing the need to engage leadership in addressing security implications. Chris Betz, AWS's Chief Information Security Officer, dives into the challenges of generative AI and the importance of real-time threat intelligence. Both guests explore the intertwining of security and compliance, advocating for a culture of proactive engagement and continuous improvement to safeguard organizations in a rapidly evolving threat landscape.

Jan 21, 2025 • 31min
A Talk with Indra Nooyi, Amazon Board Member and Former PepsiCo CEO
In this fireside chat, Indra Nooyi, Amazon board member and former PepsiCo CEO, shares insights on leadership in the era of technological transformation. She emphasizes the importance of curiosity, continuous learning, and balancing detailed knowledge with big-picture thinking. Nooyi discusses the challenges of leading organizational transformations, integrating technology into business strategies, and the evolving role of board members. She highlights the need for leaders to understand and communicate technological changes effectively, shape boards to meet company needs, and balance risk management with innovation. She also offers advice on selecting CTOs and fostering a culture of adaptation in rapidly changing business environments.

Jan 15, 2025 • 30min
Driving Invention with the Latest in AWS Generative AI
In this fireside chat from AWS re:Invent 2024, Dr. Swami Sivasubramanian, VP of AI & Data at AWS, discusses key developments and strategies in artificial intelligence. He emphasizes AWS's comprehensive approach to AI innovation, addressing challenges like model accuracy and data integration. He highlights lessons from implementing AI at scale, including the importance of hands-on experience and adapting management styles. He offers insights on moving AI projects from prototype to production, focusing on real-world effectiveness and cost management. The discussion covers AWS's latest tools for data preparation and AI implementation, strategies for cost optimization, and the future outlook of AI in business.