Modern CTO

Today we’re talking to Roland Cloutier, the Global Chief Security Officer at Tik Tok. And we discuss what it takes to secure one of the world’s largest entertainment platforms. Why Roland prioritizes hiring mission-driven talent, spanning engineering, security, safety, and privacy, and the various techniques TikTok employs to protect its diverse user base. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! Check out TikTok at https://www.tiktok.com

Today we’re talking to Rupesh Mithani, SVP at Hexaware. And we discuss how Customer Experience Transformation requires reevaluating every part of the organization. How to plan as a leader when technology is evolving so rapidly, and why it’s important to give your direct reports the freedom to fail in order to build a strong foundation. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To learn more about Hexaware CXT, check them out at https://hexaware.com/transform-customer-experiences/ In case you missed it: check out our previous episodes with Hexaware: Biju Shoolapani, Global Leader of Digital Core Transformation Arun "Rak" Ramchandran, CVP Global Market Leader Tony Schettino, VP

Today we’re talking to Garrett Everding, the CTO of Rave.io. And we discuss how Rave has created an AI-powered DJ, and how to grow excellent leaders from within your organization. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To learn more about Rave, check them out at https://rave.io

Today we’re talking to Nishchay Shah, CTO of Cactus Communications. And we discuss learnings from building several business units from the ground up. The challenges involved with scaling AI to drive revenue, and how to push hard and fail gracefully. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To learn more about Cactus Communications, check them out at https://cactusglobal.com

Today we’re talking to Dan Temby, SVP Technology at the DAC Group, and President of Proove Intelligence. And we discuss how to use data analytics to illuminate the path forward rather than to just provide support for decisions you’ve already made. Why companies need to put more trust into their data, and how to get buy-in from executives to make more data-driven decisions. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To learn more about DAC Group, check them out at https://www.dacgroup.com To learn more about Proove Intelligence, check them out at https://www.prooveintelligence.com

Today we are talking with Joel Wineland, the CTO of Racklive. And we discuss why pre-integrated racks can simplify and accelerate solution deployment in the data center. To learn more about Racklive, check them out at https://www.racklive.com/

Today we’re talking to Roman Kononov, engineering manager at Uber: right here, right now, on the ModernCTO Podcast!

Today we’re talking to Andrey Kovalenko, Co-Founder and CTO of Voximplant. And we discuss how Voximplant’s communications platform as a service (CPaaS) enables developers to easily build complex communication solutions. How Voximplant has been a serverless solution since before “serverless” was a thing, and why individual contributors should think twice about whether or not they want to move into management. All of this right here, right now, on the ModernCTO Podcast! To learn more about Voximplant, check them out at https://voximplant.com

Today we’re talking to Hilda Espinal, CTO of CannonDesign; right here, right now, on the ModernCTO Podcast! To learn more about CannonDesign, check them out at https://www.cannondesign.com

Today we’re talking to Adam Bahret, Owner & Reliability Engineer at Apex Ridge Reliability. And we discuss what it’s like consulting for Boston Dynamics, Boeing, Amazon Robotics, and more. How to see the crazy high ROI of reliability engineering, and why it’s imperative to catch errors in a product early. All of this right here, right now, on the ModernCTO Podcast! Learn more about Apex Ridge and Reliability Culture at https://apexridge.com Check out Adam's upcoming Webinar, The Alchemy of Rapidly Transforming New Technology into Must-have Products” on Monday 1/10 at 3:00 EST

Today we’re talking to Colleen Reidelbach, Chief Revenue Officer at Acklen Avenue, and Host of the Build Better Tech Podcast. And we discuss how to keep things fresh when you’ve been in the same job for a while. Learnings from interviewing many tech leaders, and tips for getting started with a podcast. All of this right here, right now, on the ModernCTO Podcast! Stay tuned after the episode for a preview of the Build Better Tech podcast! Check out the Build Better Tech podcast now!

Today we have a special Behind the Scenes episode, where Joel, Adam, and our producer Jesse reflect on the past year of Modern CTO. We talk about how our community has grown, how we’re starting to build and manage podcasts for other companies, our favorite moments from 2021, and what we’re looking forward to in 2022. All of this right here, right now, on the ModernCTO Podcast! If you're interested in joining our tech leadership community Elevate150, learn more at https://elevate150.com If you're interested in having us produce a podcast for your brand, book time to speak with us at https://moderncto.io/dmm/

Today we’re talking to Itiel Shwartz, Co-Founder and CTO at Komodor. And we discuss how Komodor tracks changes across the entire Kubernetes stack. How to surround yourself with people more talented than you, and how to facilitate open and transparent communication in your teams. All of this right here, right now, on the ModernCTO Podcast! To learn more about Komodor, check them out at https://komodor.com

Today we’re talking to Charles Walton, the SVP and GM of Identity at Avast. And we discuss how we’re moving toward a future where people have total control of their digital identity. The factors that are driving progress in the identity space, and advice on being patient and having more foresight in your career. All of this right here, right now, on the ModernCTO Podcast! To learn more about Avast, check them out at https://www.avast.com/ In case you missed it: check out our episode with Avast's CTO Michal Pěchouček

Today we're talking to Matt Joe, former CTO at Avanade. Right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! Learn more about Avanade at https://www.avanade.com/

Today we’re talking to Michael Gillett, Head of Development at Win Technologies, a proud member of the Betway Group. And we discuss several unconventional use cases for feature management. Why Michael chooses LaunchDarkly for feature management, and tips for having successful 1on1s with your direct reports. All of this right here, right now, on the ModernCTO Podcast! Check out Michael's book on feature management here! To learn more about LaunchDarkly, check them out at https://launchdarkly.com In case you missed it: check out our episodes we released with LaunchDarkly's CTO John Kodumal, and LaunchDarkly's CEO Edith Harbaugh!

Today we’re talking to Jonathan Jackson, Co-Founder and CEO of Dimagi. And we discuss how Dimagi built out tech for contact tracing and data processing during the pandemic. How Dimagi has augmented their engineering teams by working with Caktus Group over the years, and tips for approaching each new task with curiosity. All of this right here, right now, on the ModernCTO Podcast! To learn more about Dimagi, chat them out at: https://www.dimagi.com In case you missed it: check out our episode with Colin Copeland, CTO of Caktus Group

Today we’re talking to Mike Cole, Civilian CTO at GDIT. And we discuss how running digital twin simulations on business processes can help you streamline your organization. Why it’s okay to not always be the smartest person in the room, and how having diversity, equality, and equity is a competitive advantage. All of this right here, right now, on the ModernCTO Podcast! To learn more about GDIT, check them out at https://www.gdit.com

Today we’re talking to Tony Schettino, VP at Hexaware. And we discuss how Hexaware takes a holistic approach to customer experience, implementing technology at every level. How NLU and NLP AI models have evolved, and tips for being a lifelong learner. All of this right here, right now, on the ModernCTO Podcast! To learn more about Hexaware, check them out at https://hexaware.com In case you missed it: check out the other 2 episodes we've released with executives at Hexaware: Biju Shoolapani - Global Leader of Digital Core Transformation Arun “Rak” Ramchandran, Vertical BU Head, Global Market Leader & Chief Digital Evangelist

Today we’re talking to Nick Gamble, the VP Solutions at Unqork. And we discuss how Unqork’s no-code platform allows you to build complex applications. How MongoDB makes their platform possible, and why leaders should be driven by the success of their employees. All of this right here, right now, on the ModernCTO Podcast! To learn more about Unqork, check them out at https://www.unqork.com In case you missed it: check out our episode with Mark Porter, CTO of MongoDB

Today we’re talking to Dale Gonzalez, the Chief Product Officer at Axio. And we discuss how ransomware completely disrupted the cyber insurance industry. How Axio allows you to assign solid dollar amounts to cyber risk at your organization, and why having empathy on your career journey will help you get back up after failures. All of this right here, right now, on the ModernCTO Podcast! To learn more about Axio, check them out at https://axio.com In case you missed it: check out the other episodes we've released with executives from Axio: Interview with David White, Axio's Founder and President Interview with Rich Caralli, Cybersecurity Advisor at Axio

Today we’re talking to Dan Schiappa, the Chief Product Officer at Sophos. And we discuss the rise of the ransomware economy, and how we can fight back. Findings from Sophos’s 2022 Threat Report, and why it’s important to find the right balance between threat detection and prevention in your security strategy. All of this right here, right now, on the ModernCTO Podcast! To learn more about Sophos, check them out at https://www.sophos.com/

Today we’re talking to Meetesh Karia, CTO and CDO at The Zebra. And we discuss the benefits and practicality of having a full-blown data function in an organization. How Meetesh has utilized Andela to build internationally distributed engineering teams, and why it’s important to create a culture where nobody gets in trouble for an honest mistake. All of this right here, right now, on the ModernCTO Podcast! To learn more about The Zebra, check them out at https://www.thezebra.com To learn more about Andela, check them out at https://andela.com/ Check out Meetesh's podcast, Tesh on Tap!

Today we’re talking to Rich Caralli, the Cybersecurity Advisor at Axio. And we discuss how risk quantification is the missing link between business decision makers and cybersecurity professionals. Recognizing that cybersecurity and business resilience are two sides of the same coin, and why companies need to get back to basics with their security practices. All of this right here, right now, on the ModernCTO Podcast! To learn more about Axio, check them out at https://axio.com In case you missed it: check out our episode with David White, Axio's Founder and President

Today we’re talking to Setrag Khoshafian, the author of the book, How to Alleviate Digital Transformation Debt: Post-COVID-19. And we discuss why pursuit of technology must always be goal-focused. What the decentralized Web 3.0 world will look like, and why Setrag believes every organization should be flattening its hierarchy. All of this right here, right now, on the ModernCTO Podcast! Check out Setrag's book, How To Alleviate Digital Transformation Debt: Post-COVID-19, now!

Today we’re talking to Amit Sinha, the CTO and President of R&D, Operations, & Customer Service of Zscaler. And we discuss why security should follow users wherever they go. How 5G technology is pushing data and security to the edge, and the 3 P’s of attracting top talent: People, Purpose, and Pay. All of this right here, right now, on the ModernCTO Podcast! To learn more about Zscaler, check them out at https://www.zscaler.com

Today we’re talking to Ed Walton, the CEO of StepCG. And we discuss how StepCG and Cradlepoint are utilizing private cellular networks to provide internet access to underserved communities. Interesting use cases where private cellular networks are improving user experience, and how to encourage your employees to get out of their comfort zones and try new things. All of this right here, right now, on the ModernCTO Podcast! To learn more about StepCG, check them out at https://www.stepcg.com. In case you missed it: check out our episodes with Cradlepoint's VP of Product & Solution Marketing Donna Johnson, and Cradlepoint's SVP of Corporate Development Manish Tiwari.

Today we’re talking to Mark Herschberg, an MIT Instructor, Fractional CTO, and the author of the book, The Career Toolkit. And we discuss how to ask the right questions to generate the most value in your role. The value of peer learning groups for leadership development, and how to train recruiters on what to look for when hiring technical roles. All of this right here, right now, on the ModernCTO Podcast! Check out Mark's book at https://www.thecareertoolkitbook.com

Today we’re talking to Mohit Saxena, the Co-Founder and CTO of InMobi. And we discuss how InMobi has continuously evolved with the times since its founding. How to encourage your employees to think big and come out of their shell, and why it’s important to celebrate failures as well as the victories. All of this right here, right now, on the ModernCTO Podcast! To learn more about InMobi, check them out at https://www.inmobi.com

Today we’re talking to Rashmi Kumar, the CIO of HPE. And we discuss the different challenges presented by leading teams vs. leading teams of teams. Why it’s important for technologists to be business outcome focused, and how Rashmi trains her leaders to go far rather than go fast. All of this right here, right now, on the ModernCTO Podcast! To learn more about HPE, check them out at https://www.hpe.com/

Today we’re talking to Kevin McGrath, the CTO at Spot. And we discuss how Spot saves their clients 80-90% on their cloud compute bills. The concept of data gravity and how to conquer it, and how to design career paths that include growth without necessarily moving into management. All of this right here, right now, on the ModernCTO Podcast! To learn more about Spot, check them out at https://spot.io

Today we’re talking to Tony Davis, the Chief Strategic Advisor on AIOps at Broadcom. And we discuss how the real value of AIOps is the observations on how IT is impacting your customers. The 6 critical inputs to analyze what part of the stack is most impacting customer experience, and why technical leaders have to be motivated by growing the people they manage. All of this right here, right now, on the ModernCTO Podcast! To learn more about Broadcom AIOps, check them out at https://www.broadcom.com/solutions/enterprise-software/aiops In case you missed it: check out our episode with John Balsavage, Founder and President of A&I Solutions.

Today we’re talking to Matt Johnson, the Developer Advocate Lead at Bridgecrew. And we discuss the challenges of providing a secure cloud experience for every use case. Lessons learned from working in both startups and large enterprises, and how maintaining company culture requires effort from everyone that’s a part of it. All of this right here, right now, on the ModernCTO Podcast! To learn more about Bridgecrew, check them out at https://bridgecrew.io In case you missed it: check out our episode with Barak Schoster, Co-Founder and CTO of Bridgecrew

Today we’re talking to Simen Skogsrud, the CTO of Sanity.io. And we discuss how having a powerful content management system enables developers to think creatively. How the right partners can help customers realize the full value of a product, and lessons learned from being a career entrepreneur. All of this right here, right now, on the ModernCTO Podcast! To learn more about Sanity, check them out at https://www.sanity.io In case you missed it: check out our episode with Formidable's CTO Ryan Roemer

Today we’re talking to Tanya Blinova, the VP Engineering at AppNeta. And we discuss why companies of all sizes can benefit from network monitoring. What makes a great VP of Engineering, and tips for conducting interviews when hiring for the first time. All of this right here, right now, on the ModernCTO Podcast! To learn more about AppNeta, check them out at https://www.appneta.com In case you missed it: check out our episode with Mike Hustler, the CTO of AppNeta

Today we’re talking to Kipp Jones, the Chief Technology Evangelist at Skyhook. And we discuss the technical challenges of combining different types of location technology to achieve accurate location solutions for any use case. How critical location technology can be in emergency situations, and what individual contributors should expect when they step into management for the first time. All of this right here, right now, on the ModernCTO Podcast! To learn more about Skyhook's awesome location tech, check out their Precision Location Solution Sheet!

Today we’re talking to Edward Kmett, the Head of Software Engineering at Groq. And we discuss how Edward came to be one of the most prominent members of the Haskell community. How Groq’s chips are able to provide incredible processing capabilities for AI models, and how Category Theory gives us a different way to think about mathematics. All of this right here, right now, on the ModernCTO Podcast! To learn more about Groq, check them out at https://groq.com In case you missed it: check out our episode with Groq's Founder and CEO Jonathan Ross

Today we’re talking to John Bell, the Co-Founder of Base2 Data Analytics (recently rebranded to DataMovement.cloud). And we discuss how having a great culture at your company can influence partnerships with other organizations. How Base2 is working with Helpsystems to provide an unprecedented level of control over your data, and the evolution of how businesses have used data since the early 2000s. All of this right here, right now, on the ModernCTO Podcast! To learn more about Base2 Data Analytics, check them out at https://datamovement.cloud To learn more about Helpsystems, check them out at https://www.helpsystems.com

Aaron Suzuki returns! Today we’re talking to Aaron Suzuki, the Founder and CEO of SmartDeploy. And we discuss how companies have to provide the right compensation and mission in order to attract top talent. How old tools are getting replaced by better, simpler tech in every industry, and Joel makes a special promise: the first listener to try SmartDeploy and integrate it in their work flow has an open invitation to come on the podcast! All of this right here, right now, on the ModernCTO Podcast! To learn more about SmartDeploy, check them out at smartdeploy.com/ModernCTO

Today we’re talking to Wes Hackett and Paul Schaeflein, the CTO and the Technical Architect of Addin365. And we discuss why providing clear career roadmaps and being radically transparent are key for retaining top talent. How Addin365 helps businesses get the most out of the Microsoft Suite, and how difficult and rewarding it is to be confronted with new challenges every day. All of this right here, right now, on the ModernCTO Podcast! To learn more about Addin365, check them out at https://www.addin365.com

Today we’re talking to Arun “Rak” Ramchandran, the CVP Global Market Leader at Hexaware. And we discuss Rak’s hiring strategy and Hexaware’s program for training talented leaders. Why and how we need to be building explainability into AI, and how to establish yourself as a leader when entering a new organization. All of this right here, right now, on the ModernCTO Podcast! To learn more about Hexaware, check them out at https://hexaware.com

Today we’re talking to Jay Mehra, the Co-founder and CTO at Odessa. And we discuss what it was like starting the company out of a dorm room in the late 90s. How to avoid building monolithic tech and stay nimble long-term, and why it’s important for entrepreneurs to think first about increasing revenue rather than cutting costs. All of this right here, right now, on the ModernCTO Podcast! To learn more about Odessa, check them out at https://www.odessainc.com

Today we’re talking to Corey Bertram, the CTO at Rokt. And we discuss how he helped create what is now a small industry around chaos engineering. How Rokt is integrating personalized recommendations into transactions, and how to create a space where people feel comfortable admitting they don’t know something. All of this right here, right now, on the ModernCTO Podcast! To learn more about Rokt, check them out at https://rokt.com

Today we’re talking to Manish Tiwari, the Senior Vice President at Cradlepoint. And we discuss the benefits of establishing a private cellular network for enterprise network connections. Why it’s important to accept the fluidity of culture at a company, and how to establish yourself as a leader when joining a new organization. All of this right here, right now, on the ModernCTO Podcast! To learn more about Cradlepoint, check them out at https://cradlepoint.com

Today we’re talking to Bhawna Singh, the SVP of Engineering at Auth0. And we discuss how to create a culture of sharing information openly at a company. How Auth0 simplifies implementing frictionless and secure user authentication, and why “move fast and break things” isn’t always the best strategy. All of this right here, right now, on the ModernCTO Podcast! To learn more about Auth0, check them out at https://auth0.com

Today we’re talking to John Balsavage, the Founder and President at A&I Solutions. And we discuss how network performance monitoring is critical in today’s online-first environment. Why it’s important to celebrate the victories with your team, and how no form of marketing can come close to word of mouth referrals. All of this right here, right now, on the ModernCTO Podcast! To learn more about A&I Solutions, check them out at https://www.anisolutions.com

Today we’re talking to Jim Walsh, the CIO of Right Networks. And we discuss how to make sure your security strategy is always evolving and up to date. How Jim’s company has utilized ITProTV to upskill their workforce, and what digital transformation looks like for accounting functions All of this right here, right now, on the ModernCTO Podcast! To learn more about Right Networks, check them out at https://www.rightnetworks.com To learn more about ITProTV, check them out at https://www.itpro.tv

Today we’re talking to David Williams, the VP of Product Strategy at Quali. And we discuss what it looks like to have strategy as a business function. How Quali is able to automate your tech infrastructure, and why it’s beneficial to trust your teams with a higher degree of autonomy and accountability. All of this right here, right now, on the ModernCTO Podcast! To learn more about Quali, check them out at https://www.quali.com

Today we’re talking to Stephen Fisher, the COO at Allstream. And we discuss interesting use cases enabled by fiber optic technology. What it means to be big enough to deliver and small enough to care, and how to bring up leaders at every level of an organization. All of this right here, right now, on the ModernCTO Podcast! To learn more about Allstream, check them out at https://allstream.com!

Today we’re talking to Gerald Kane, Professor at Boston College, and the Co-Author of “The Transformation Myth.” And we discuss how digital transformation is a never-ending journey, not a destination. How handling extreme disruption has changed the workplace, and what the future of hybrid workplaces could look like. All of this right here, right now, on the ModernCTO Podcast! Check out the new book, "The Transformation Myth"! https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/transformation-myth