Brian Abston , Senior Director of Digital Technology at The Wendy’s Company , brings over two decades of experience in software development, platform architecture and IT leadership. Before joining Wendy’s, he spent four years as IT Director and Platform Architect at SONIC Drive-In, leading digital initiatives in QSR. His background includes roles as a Java Developer at MSCI Inc. and Power Costs, Inc., where he honed his expertise in scalable software solutions and enterprise technology. In this ...
Apr 16, 2025•44 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Michael Gyarmathy , Staff Software Engineer at PGA of America , brings a wealth of experience in full-stack development, cloud-native technologies and DevOps. At PGA of America, Michael leads engineering efforts to enhance the golf experience through digital products like PGA Coach, which helps golf professionals streamline their businesses. In this episode, Michael shares how customer obsession, iterative development and engineering culture drive innovation at PGA of America. He also discusses ...
Mar 26, 2025•41 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Dan Hou , Founder and Partner at Eskridge , joins us to discuss how companies can effectively integrate AI into their operations and digital products. With a career spanning Microsoft, Motorola, Huge and Amazon, Dan has spent years identifying paradigm shifts in technology. Now, at Eskridge, he helps mid-market businesses deploy AI strategies that drive real impact. Key Takeaways: (07:08) AI in businesses falls into two categories: internal efficiency and product innovation. (08:51) High-impact ...
Mar 05, 2025•44 min•Season 1Ep. 11
On today’s episode, we’re joined by Thiago Ghisi , Director of Engineering at Nubank . With nearly two decades of experience in the software industry, Thiago has held roles such as Senior Software Engineering Manager at Apple , Engineering Director, Mobile Engineering at American Express and Senior Quality Assurance Consultant at Thoughtworks . Thiago shares his evolution from hands-on engineering to leadership, insights into building Canonical platforms and the transformative journey of a...
Feb 19, 2025•50 min•Season 1Ep. 10
On this episode, we’re joined by Jorge Coca , Head of Engineering at Very Good Ventures , whose career spans over a decade of innovative contributions to the Flutter ecosystem and mobile engineering. Jorge’s journey includes pivotal roles at BMW, where he spearheaded Android and Flutter development, and SPR, where he led impactful consulting projects. Jorge discusses the evolution of scalable and user-friendly engineering practices, the importance of aligning technology with business goals and f...
Feb 05, 2025•47 min•Season 1Ep. 9
On today’s episode, we’re joined by Chris Synan , Vice President of Engineering at Keller Williams Realty, Inc . Chris has been with Keller Williams since just before the COVID lockdown and has played a critical role in driving the company’s technology transformation. With experience managing large teams and overhauling systems at companies such as Dell, AMD, CA Technologies, and General Motors, Chris has valuable insights on large-scale innovation, team culture transformation and technological ...
Jan 22, 2025•45 min•Season 1Ep. 8
On today’s episode, we’re joined by David Chen , whose previous roles include Chief Technology Officer of Skycatch and Senior Software Engineer at Twitter. He is currently Head of Software Services at Agtonomy , where he focuses on building autonomous farming solutions to address labor shortages in agriculture. David shares his journey from drone-based mining technology to robotics in agriculture, offering insights into designing impactful technology. Key Takeaways: (01:14) Autonomous rides set ...
Jan 08, 2025•33 min•Season 1Ep. 7
On today’s episode, we’re joined by Sam Moore , VP of Architecture at Betterment , where he has led groundbreaking initiatives, including the re-platforming of mobile codebases from native to Flutter, and the launch of Betterment Checking. Sam’s extensive experience in scaling infrastructure and software architecture has made him a key figure in driving Betterment’s technological advancements. Sam discusses leading major tech transitions, managing technical debt, fostering innovation and scaling...
Nov 07, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 6
On today’s episode, we’re joined by Patricia Roller , former co-CEO of Frog Design and current CEO of Vidlet Inc ., a company known for pioneering video research in product development. With a rich background in design and leadership, Patricia shares her insights on the critical role of company culture in driving innovation and success within startups. Key Takeaways: (02:10) Culture should be the top priority in any startup. (04:45) The CEO must lead by driving ideas and allowing mistakes. (08:2...
Oct 09, 2024•46 min•Season 1Ep. 5
On today’s episode, we’re joined by Kyle Crouse , whose previous roles include Senior Manager, Design Technology at Amazon , Principal Design Technologist at frog and Creative Technology Director at Method and Visa . He is currently Director of Concept Technology at Very Good Ventures . Kyle discusses the integration of design and technology in product development. Key Takeaways: (05:11) Building lean MVPs in startups involves rapid prototyping and quick iterations. (08:46) Integrating des...
Sep 25, 2024•38 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Ready to revolutionize your approach to tech? We’re joined by Teresa Wu , VP of Software Engineering at JPMorgan Chase & Co ., whose previous roles include Senior Staff Engineer at tide , and Android and Mobile Lead at Ostmodern . Teresa shares invaluable insights on mastering new technologies like AI and Flutter, emphasizing the critical role of community, curiosity and strategic risk management in successful product development. Key Takeaways: (08:45) AI's br...
Sep 04, 2024•39 min•Season 1Ep. 3
On this episode, we’re joined by Carsten Wierwille , former Executive at ustwo , Method , GlobalLogic and frog , and current Board Director at Very Good Ventures . Carsten shares his insights on building sustainable habits, transforming company culture and balancing purpose with profit. Key Takeaways: (01:04) The importance of focusing on habits to achieve long-term goals. (03:18) How incremental improvements lead to significant changes. (05:16) The role of a leader in fostering a company’s crea...
Jul 31, 2024•40 min•Season 1Ep. 2
In the first episode of "Build To Succeed,” we’re joined by Eric Seidel , Founder of Shorebird , Co-Founder of Flutter and former Director of Engineering at Google . Eric discusses his career journey, shares insights on building impactful products and tackles distinctive approaches to addressing business challenges, particularly focusing on his work with Flutter and Shorebird. This podcast explores the world of building successful tech products by talking to leaders who have brought ideas to lif...
Jul 31, 2024•37 min•Season 1Ep. 1
