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IT Visionaries

Missionmission.org
Gain unparalleled access to the minds of industry-leading CIOs, CTOs, and CISOs. Enjoy weekly episodes filled with expert insights, inspiring stories, and trend analysis, all brought to you by the people shaping the future of technology. Whether you're an IT professional, aspiring tech leader, or general tech enthusiast, IT Visionaries has something for everyone. Don't miss out on the chance to learn from the best – subscribe now! Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

Episodes

Why You Need to Be More Proactive About Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity has moved from a luxury to a necessity for pretty much every business. But still, many organizations are operating in a reactive rather than a proactive fashion when it comes to securing their networks. Adam Burke , VP Sales & Partnerships, Quest Technology Management, explains why this is and how to change your mindset and operate in a more secure fashion. Tune in to learn: What is Quest Technology? (1:45) The security needed to work in the cloud (5:10) Recommendations for organiz...

May 16, 202347 minEp. 466

Why We Need New Energy Infrastructure And How It's Being Built

Our energy infrastructure is going through major changes. The population is looking for more efficiency and cleaner options, and Stem, Inc. is helping to deliver those solutions. Albert Hofeldt , SVP of Technology at Stem, joins IT Visionaries to describe the work his team is doing, and what the future of energy might look like. Tune in to learn: What is Stem? (2:00) Dissecting the distribution of energy (5:12) What Stem-collected data unlocks (16:09) Who is leading the charge in updating energy...

May 09, 202335 minEp. 465

Understanding and Building the Future of Technology

With the technology landscape shifting at a rapid pace, it’s nearly impossible to keep up. But that’s the job of Kit Colbert , the CTO of VMware , and he is constantly learning from and leading his team so that they can best serve the needs of their customers. On this episode, Kit explains what that looks like and how the world of public and private clouds, the edge, and infrastructure are constantly changing. Tune in to learn: What is VMware? (1:40) How to service the appetites of customers tod...

May 02, 202345 minEp. 464

It's Time To Get Serious About Improving Healthcare Technology

Healthcare technology has frequently been lambasted as being behind the times. The reason is because hospitals and healthcare providers are operating on lagging networks and with outdated technology. Derek Grimes , the SVP of Operations at Frontage Clinical Services explains what it will take to get our healthcare systems to work better for all patients, and he gives us some insights into the ways technology is currently being used to improve our experiences. Tune in to learn: Understanding the ...

Apr 25, 202349 minEp. 463

Emerging Technology That Is Making Workers More Effective

Without a doubt, technology has been a game changer in just about every industry. And as tech continues to evolve, it is being used in more innovative ways, even in places that typically have trouble with network connectivity. Librestream is helping to make that happen, and on this episode of IT Visionaries, Chief Customer Officer Charlie Neagoy explains how. Tune in to learn: What is Librestream? (3:00) Getting information to workers in all kinds of places (9:15) Defining augmented reality (17:...

Apr 18, 202349 minEp. 462

The Need For Speed, Reliability, And Redundancy In Network Architecture

Network infrastructure is important if you want your organization to run smoothly and without interruption. From hospitals to supply chains to government agencies, there are countless examples that illustrate just how critical network infrastructure can be. ePlus works to create better cloud infrastructure solutions for its customers to ensure they can perform their important roles. On this episode, Justin Mescher, the Vice President of Cloud Solutions of ePlus, shares more about the way that hi...

Apr 11, 202336 minEp. 461

Exploring New Horizons: IT Visionaries Reassesses Topics and Invites Suggestions

In order to better prepare for the next season, IT Visionaries is taking a short break! After four years of continuous production, we’re hitting pause in order to reassess and reexamine the program. We love learning more about how technology impacts fields outside of software, such as aviation, healthcare, and the environment. But we’re open to everything! If you have any suggestions for guests, industries, and topics to cover, send them our way! And in the meantime, stay tuned for updates. Ment...

Feb 23, 202311 minEp. 460

Engineering for Excellence in Residential Real Estate

Buying residential real estate is typically mired down in paperwork, presenting a difficult experience for consumers. But technology is currently changing this burdensome process for buyers and sellers alike. Our guest, Raji Subramanian, CTO of Opendoor, explains how the company’s platform addresses all aspects of the process (and the business behind it) by putting customer needs and the company’s core principles front-of-mind in every transaction. Tune in to learn: How Opendoor touches every as...

Jan 31, 202341 minEp. 459

Scaling the Healthcare Industry for Maximum Impact with Pfizer

The need for a company to act quickly and scale efficiently is imperative when a global crisis is at hand. Fortunately, prior to the pandemic, the leadership at Pfizer had already been laying the groundwork for digital transformation with the help of Lidia Fonseca. When the demands grew, the company was prepared to scale, allowing it to bring desperately needed help to the world. Tune in to learn: Pfizer’s tactic of increasing scaleability by creating a CTO role. (01:40) Building a strong cultur...

Jan 30, 202338 minEp. 456

Amazon and Salesforce Driving Success Now, Together

What does success now look like for business leaders as economic shifts keep us all guessing? Thomas Cozzolino , Senior Director of Competitive Strategy at Salesforce, joins us to help discover the answers to this question as a special co-host in the Success Now Mini Series. Solutions for cost reduction, increased efficiency, rapid ROI, and lightning-fast time to value are top of mind for many of today’s business leaders. Setting a prime example, Amazon is ever-innovating; and today we get to he...

Jan 26, 202341 minEp. 458

Success Now Mini Series: Rocket and Salesforce

Researcher Alan Kay is widely credited for saying, “The best way to predict the future is to invent it.” Our guest Brian Woodring, CIO of Rocket Companies concurs, as he is part of a company that is currently trying to define the future of mortgages. Working with Salesforce, his organization is continually trying (and learning from) innovative ways to reduce costs, increase efficiency, and generate ROI. Hear how Brian and his team may not have a “master plan” but still succeed through discovery,...

Jan 24, 202342 minEp. 457

Ensuring Data Security Through Collaboration

Cybersecurity, like so many other industries, is based on connections. Not just to countless endpoints, but also connection to the people behind the data. In this edition of IT Visionaries, guests Taher Elgamal from Salesforce, and Mike Sentonas from Crowdstrike share their perspectives on why practical communication still matters, even for the most intricate data security challenges. Tune in to learn: The benefits of the Crowdstrike Salesforce partnership (2:30) How to protect data by securing ...

Jan 17, 202338 minEp. 455

Breaking Barriers for Women in Tech

Women are still largely underrepresented in the tech workforce. To combat barriers for women, Alaina Percival , CEO of Women Who Code , shares how the organization tackles bias in the tech industry by providing a platform for women to succeed without limitation. Tune in to learn why the growth of women in tech is vital for industry success, and how Women Who Code is bridging the gap for a more equitable future in tech leadership. Tune in to learn: Why women are underrepresented in the tech field...

Jan 12, 202335 minEp. 454

The Vital Role of High-Tech in Healthcare

The primary goal of cybersecurity is human safety. Even if high-tech isn’t typically equated with healthcare, Cindi Carter , Global CISO of Check Point Software Technologies , explains why it should be. Tune in to learn: Why high-tech is imperative for healthcare (3:37) The vulnerability of medical records (08:40) Healthcare cybersecurity predictions for 2023-24 (30:27) The “human factor” of cybersecurity (37:00) Mentions: HIMSS Cybersecurity in Healthcare Nassim Nicholas Taleb , author of Antif...

Jan 10, 202342 minEp. 453

Technology That Serves America’s Heroes

How did one of the world’s biggest bureaucracies successfully develop a sleek, efficient, and user-friendly online benefits experience for veterans? Today’s guest, Charles Worthington , CTO of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs shares how he applied a tech startup mentality to help make the VA’s services more accessible to our nation’s finest, and why he hopes to spark a “tradition of public service” in the tech industry. Tune in to learn: An overview of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affa...

Jan 05, 202343 minEp. 452

How Innovation Meets Sustainability in Modern Office Spaces

How has finding the perfect solution for physical office spaces evolved since hybrid working has become more prevalent? James Quinn , Executive Managing Director at JLL , shares how the company analyzes the aspirations and layouts of businesses to provide the best option for building or buying a physical office space that accommodates hybrid and in-person companies. Tune in to learn more about how JLL incorporates sustainable options as well as technological advancements into its plans for the c...

Jan 03, 202330 minEp. 451

Mission’s End-of-Year Wrap-up: Key Business Insights for 2023

On this special end-of-year crossover episode, the hosts from Up Next in Commerce, Marketing Trends, and IT Visionaries meet up again to discuss their biggest takeaways from their guests over the past year, and to make some predictions for what should be an exciting 2023 in marketing, tech, and ecommerce. Tune in to learn: Why your employees are your greatest customers (8:43) Why good business instincts can help overcome a lack of data (14:43) Why intuition matters, even in data-driven industrie...

Dec 29, 202237 minEp. 450

Year in Review: Top of IT Visionaries

The problem-solving prowess of the IT leaders we meet has inspired and motivated us all year. The guests we’ve featured in 2022 have shared their strategies for cutting costs to their businesses through technology and effective leadership. They’ve shown us new tools, software, and philosophies that make the world a better place. From healthcare and education to business and sustainability, their innovation continues to carve a clear path for future success. These are just a few of our favorite s...

Dec 27, 202238 minEp. 449

Championing the Prospective Customer with David Heinemeier Hansson

Software itself is constantly being updated, but are some conventional approaches used by tech leaders also in need of an upgrade? David Heinemeier Hansson is the Co-owner & CTO of the software company 37signals , producer of the successful web services Basecamp and HEY. On this episode, David explains the forward-thinking methodologies that his company has successfully implemented, like championing prospective customers rather than current ones, enforcing a short six-week planning cycle, and pl...

Dec 22, 202258 minEp. 448

Boosting Business Growth Through Interoperability

New research shows that businesses that invest in interoperability can grow revenue six times faster than competitors. Why, then, are only one out of every three companies making this investment? Emma McGuigan , Global Lead of Enterprise and Industry Technologies at Accenture , joins us to discuss the tech consulting company’s latest report on the benefits of adopting interoperability, and other burgeoning technologies that are driving the growth of her clients. Tune in to learn: Findings from A...

Dec 20, 202238 minEp. 447

Creating Frictionless Cybersecurity Options

When logging into devices and applications that hold the key to a user's identity, how can that user tell who is at the other end of the line? When it comes to internet safety and securing a user's identity online, Phil Dunkelberger , President and CEO of Nok Nok Labs , shares that the future of online security is cybersecurity that can be simplified through public private key cryptography. On this episode, Phil explains what that means, plus the purpose of FIDO and how it can create frictionles...

Dec 15, 202248 minEp. 446

Protect Your Emails from Cyber Attacks with Mimecast

Over 90% of all cyber attacks start with a phishing email to an unsuspecting victim. As cyber criminal techniques become more sophisticated, how can businesses keep their communication channels safe? On this episode, David Raissipour , Chief Technology and Product Officer at the cloud-based cybersecurity company Mimecast , discusses the importance of cyber protection education and shares how his engineering team innovates to give businesses the upper hand over cyber threats. Tune in to learn: Th...

Dec 13, 202237 minEp. 445

Simplified Cybersecurity Workflow Automation

Are menial workflow tasks keeping cybersecurity teams from reaching their full potential? Tines is a fast-growing, Ireland-based company that’s bringing automation to the security workforce, with no code writing necessary. The company’s Co-founder and CEO Eoin Hinchy joins us to discuss the ingenious automation process that narrows all workflow duties down to a mere seven “action types,” freeing up cyber workers to focus on keeping your data safe. Tune in to learn: Tines and its no-code approach...

Dec 08, 202237 minEp. 444

How Unbabel Is Using AI to Break Language Barriers

For companies seeking to scale globally, overcoming language barriers in foreign markets can be a major challenge. Unbabel is an AI-powered platform that combines machine and human translation to help businesses provide localized, multilingual customer experiences around the world. On this episode, Unbabel’s Co-founder and CEO Vasco Pedro reveals how his lifelong passion for language led to the company’s formation, and why AI technology is transforming the way we communicate across cultures. Tun...

Dec 06, 202246 minEp. 443

Automated Tax Compliance for Any Business

Let’s face it — nobody likes doing taxes. And staying on top of changing codes, rates, and regulations can be a time-consuming endeavor for companies. Avalara is a tax compliance automation platform that’s making tax solutions easier for businesses all around the world. Avalara’s EVP of Engineering and CTO Danny Fields joins us to discuss the wide scale of innovation required to deliver fast and accurate tax computations globally, and why companies still using manual methods should make the swit...

Dec 01, 202240 minEp. 446

Get to Work Solving Problems

Business processes get faster and more convenient everyday as we automate tedious busywork. That said, how much further can automation efforts take us? Chris Byers , CEO of Formstack , discusses the wide ranging industries that would benefit from additional digital automation and how Formstack empowers non-technical employees to solve process-problems. Tune in to learn: How has Formstack simplified the user experience over time? (02:52) The rise of automating office work (15:40) Who is driving i...

Nov 29, 202241 minEp. 442

Mission Thanksgiving Roundtable: Is Black Friday Dead?

With the holiday shopping season in full swing, how are businesses handling the busiest commerce period of the year? On this special crossover episode, the hosts from Mission.org podcasts, Up Next in Commerce , Marketing Trends and IT Visionaries join forces for the first time ever to discuss all things retail. Tune in to hear Stephanie, Jeremy, and Albert share their thoughts and expertise about the latest shopping technology, holiday cyber threats, and whether shifting consumer attitudes will ...

Nov 24, 202244 min

Building Sophisticated Transaction Models

With so many options provided by different platforms, how can a company ensure it is choosing the best option? Boris Lokschin , Co-founder and CEO of Spryker Systems , has nearly 20 years’ experience building commerce technologies, and claims it’s best to create a tech stack that provides options for the customer rather than relying on preset models. Listen to hear more about Spryker Systems and how the company created stability for sophisticated transactional business models in today’s ever-cha...

Nov 22, 202245 minEp. 441

Making Cybersecurity More Effective

Not only are cybersecurity threats rapidly evolving and increasing in number, but the market for solutions is almost equally complicated. Ian McShane , Field CTO and VP of Strategy at Arctic Wolf , explains how they guide companies through these challenges, sharing his thoughts on the cybersecurity industry and offering words of wisdom for business leaders. Tune in to learn: What is unique about Arctic Wolf (01:10) Ian’s observations about the industry (4:40) How the cybersecurity industry has c...

Nov 17, 202234 minEp. 440

Innovating at the Cutting Edge of Ad Technology

How can brands best utilize today’s technology to make the biggest possible impact on consumers? Our guest today is Stephan Pretorius , Chief Technology Officer at WPP , the world’s largest marketing services organization. Poised at the forefront of advertising innovation, Stephan discusses how marketers can effectively target consumers without impinging on their privacy, and shares how some of WPP’s most groundbreaking ad campaigns came to fruition. Tune in to learn: What is WPP and what is Ste...

Nov 15, 202243 minEp. 439