In this episode of Behind the Growth, host Imran Mian sits down with Anna Hannem, VP of Data and AI Risk at Scotiabank. Anna takes us through her impressive career journey, starting from her early days as a customer service representative and transitioning into project management and data governance roles. She delves into how her unique background in behavioural psychology and project management has been pivotal to her success, especially in building and leading high-performance teams.

Anna sheds light on the complexities of data governance and AI risk management within the banking sector. She provides insight into how Scotiabank is tackling challenges related to data quality, data management, and the ethical use of AI. Throughout the conversation, Anna emphasises the critical importance of transparency, explainability, and regulatory compliance to protect both customer data and the bank’s operations.

The discussion also explores Anna’s approach to continuous learning and professional development. She underscores the value of effective communication and collaboration across teams as key strategies for addressing the intricate challenges posed by data and AI risk. Anna’s insights offer a clear and engaging perspective on how Scotiabank is at the forefront of data and AI risk management. 

Anna shared insights on: 

- Ensuring data quality & management 
- Transparency in AI risk-management 
- How to build & maintain high-performance teams 
- The role of ethical AI in protecting customer data 
- Regulatory compliance in the banking industry 

Visit mlarteka.com/podcast to learn more about each guest and read key insights for every episode.

In this episode of Behind the Growth, host Imran Mian interviews Fatih Nayebi, Vice President of Data and AI at the ALDO Group. Fatih shares his journey from a technology enthusiast in his childhood to leading AI-driven projects in the retail industry. He highlights his early fascination with computers and AI, and how this passion led him to pursue advanced studies and a career in machine learning and data science. 

Fatih discusses the significant challenges he has faced in implementing AI solutions, particularly in traditional and slow-paced environments. He emphasizes the importance of starting with small, impactful projects to demonstrate AI's potential and gradually overcoming resistance. Fatih also addresses the common issue of poor data quality and the necessity of having well-structured historical data for successful AI applications. 

Looking ahead, Fatih explores future trends in AI, including generative AI and causal inference. He shares insights on how AI can be used for demand forecasting, markdown optimization, and enhancing customer experiences. Additionally, he touches on the importance of ethical AI practices, transparency, and the role of explainable AI in ensuring fair and accountable decision-making processes.

Key Highlights:
- High-quality historical data is crucial for AI success
- Start with small impactful AI projects to demonstrate potential
- Transparency and ethical practices in AI are essential
- Tailor agile methods for AI, balancing research with deadlines
- Prioritize AI projects by business value, data quality, and feasibility

Visit mlarteka.com/podcast to learn more about each guest and read key insights for every episode.

In this episode of Behind the Growth, host Imran Mian celebrates Zeeshan Syed, VP Operations Transformation, Data & Automation at RBC. Zeeshan shares his journey from a software engineer in oil and gas to a key player in banking. He emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and adapting to new roles, which has driven his 15-year career at RBC. 

The conversation steers towards Zeeshan’s discussion of the development of reusable digital capabilities at RBC. These capabilities, such as document automation and data extraction, streamline operations across different banking services, from mortgages to checking accounts. He explains how these tools enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve the client experience by ensuring a consistent and predictable process. 

Zeeshan also touches on the future of automation in banking, highlighting the role of AI and machine learning in solving business problems and improving operational workflows. He sheds light on the importance of a collaborative team approach, and the role played by maintaining a client-centric focus in all digital transformation efforts. 

Key Highlights:
- Embrace continuous learning in your career 
- Encourage diversity of thought 
- Focus on end-to-end client journeys 
- Leverage data extraction and automation 
- Use AI to solve business problems and improve workflows 

Visit mlarteka.com/podcast to learn more about each guest and read key insights for every episode.

In this episode of Behind the Growth, host Imran Mian interviews Edgar Núñez, Chief Data Officer at Coca-Cola FEMSA. Edgar details his transition from the supply chain finance department at P&G to a leading role in data analytics. He shares how his electronics engineering background helped him tackle data reliability issues and drive automation.

Edgar recounts the challenges of integrating business intelligence and consumer market knowledge at P&G. He discusses the resistance faced, the loss of team members, and the ultimate success in forming a multi-domain data science organization.

The conversation also steers towards the evolving role of a Chief Data Officer, emphasizing that it extends beyond data governance to include data operations and driving business value through analytics. He explains how AI tools like ChatGPT and Google Bard are integral to his work, highlighting the importance of ethical use and continuous learning. For aspiring leaders, he advises staying curious and closely aligned with business objectives.

Key Highlights: 
- Trustworthy data is crucial for business decisions 
- Automate to avoid repetitive manual tasks 
- Combine data science with business strategies 
- Ethical AI use is vital 
- Data governance goes beyond compliance 
- Leverage partners, not just vendors 
- Effective leadership needs strategic thinking 

Visit mlarteka.com/podcast to learn more about each guest and read key insights for every episode.

In this episode of Behind the Growth, host Imran Mian sits down with Zain Abbas, AI and machine-learning expert and Director of Data Science at Sun Life. Zain shares his journey from academia to the financial sector, highlighting key turning points and challenges, such as transitioning from academia to industry and adapting to the Canadian job market. He emphasizes the importance of stepping out of comfort zones and continuous learning. 

Zain discusses a notable project involving predictive modeling for financial analyst calls at a bank, where he used NLP and GPT to predict questions. He explains the challenges faced, including data acquisition and labeling, and the innovative methods used to overcome them. Zain also reflects on how advancements like generative AI, have changed the landscape and his own approach to his projects.

Looking ahead, Zain talks about future trends in AI, such as increased automation and edge computing, and advises blending advanced analytics with business acumen. Finally, he shares his leadership philosophy and the significance of mentorship and continuous improvement in his career. 

Key Takeaways: 
- AI and machine learning drive predictive modeling in finance  
- Transitioning from academia to industry requires adaptability  
- Leveraging academic knowledge helps thrive in industry settings 
- Constantly updating skills is crucial for industry success 
- Future trends in AI emphasize automation and interconnectivity 

Visit mlarteka.com/podcast to learn more about each guest and read key insights for every episode.

In this episode of Behind the Growth, host Imran Mian interviews Simon Tremblay-Larouche, VP of Strategy and Innovation at Sandoz Canada. Simon shares his diverse career journey, beginning as a national junior tennis player and transitioning into engineering before moving into strategic roles across various industries, including banking, insurance, telecom, and pharma. He highlights the importance of strategic thinking and planning in driving business success.

Simon discusses the unique challenges and opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry, emphasizing the need for innovation and improved operational efficiency. He explains how his background in different sectors has equipped him with valuable insights to address these challenges and implement effective strategies at Sandoz.

The conversation also touches on future trends in the pharma industry, such as the rise of biosimilars and the role of AI in automating processes. Simon underscores the importance of building strong relationships and fostering trust within organizations to achieve strategic goals and drive growth.

Key Highlights: 
- The health sector struggles with innovation
- Diverse career paths build versatile skill sets
- Finding consensus in strategy is challenging
- Strong relationships boost career success
- Data management is crucial for pharma

Visit mlarteka.com/podcast to learn more about each guest and read key insights for every episode.

In this episode of Behind the Growth, host Imran Mian sits down with Kathryn Hume, VP of Digital Channels Technology at RBC. Kathryn shares her unique career path, blending math, literature, and philosophy, leading her into the field of AI and technology. She discusses the importance of pairing technical knowledge with deep business understanding to apply machine learning effectively.

Kathryn highlights the challenges and strategies of integrating AI within RBC, emphasizing the need for strong partnerships between technical experts and business leaders. She explains how Borealis AI, RBC's research institute, focuses on practical solutions, innovative POCs, and long-term research goals to drive AI adoption in banking. 

The conversation also dives into ethical AI, data privacy, and the importance of diversity in tech teams. Kathryn shares her approach to people management, stressing the value of understanding individual team members' strengths and interests to foster high performance. She concludes with advice for young professionals: focus on excelling in your current role rather than over-optimizing future career moves. 

Key Highlights:    

- Pair technical and business expertise for AI success 
- Effective AI needs iterative design processes 
- Understand and address ethical AI considerations 
- Develop inclusive, diverse, and high-performing teams 
- Simplify complex tech concepts for better communication 

Visit mlarteka.com/podcast to learn more about each guest and read key insights for every episode.

In this episode of Behind the Growth, Mudassar Malik hosts Inanc Cakiroglu, Director of AI and Analytics Practices at mobileLIVE. Inanc shares his insights on first-principle thinking, a method of breaking down complex problems into basic elements to find innovative solutions, and emphasizes the importance of starting with simple, clear problems and building up from there. 

Inanc discusses his early career in telecom, highlighting the challenges of data quality and infrastructure in the early 2000s. He explains how advancements in data pipelines, computer power, and open-source libraries have revolutionized AI applications. Inanc also dives into the role of competition in driving AI adoption across various industries.

The conversation touches on the diverse applications of AI, from chatbots and knowledge management systems to healthcare and autonomous vehicles. Inanc highlights the crucial role of big data and cloud technologies in enabling these advancements. He concludes by offering advice to professionals entering the AI field, stressing the need to focus on basic use cases and robust data processes.

Key Highlights:
- Use first principle thinking for AI solutions 
- Competition drives AI adoption in industries 
- Chatbots are improving with generative AI 
- Prioritize data processes in AI projects 
- Different industries have unique AI applications 

Visit mlarteka.com/podcast to learn more about each guest and read key insights for every episode.

In this episode of Behind the Growth, host Imran Mian interviews Nitesh Soni, Global AI Solutions Leader at Sanofi. Nitesh sketches the diverse scope of his role as a data science practitioner, and how it enables him to navigate machine learning and AI in driving pharmaceuticals. He also talks about the significance of building a diverse team to meet consumer requirements on a global scale, ensuring that cultural sensitivities are not relegated to the background. 

While talking about Sanofi’s mindset of collaboration for the ultimate good of the customers, Nitesh also sheds light on the role of AI integration in pharma, which includes automation of drug-developing processes, optimizing yields, strengthening supply chains, and facilitating marketing. Personalized and transformative solutions for healthcare professionals also make the list.  

Nitesh offers advice to those looking to switch from academia to the private sector, suggesting that picking a mentor, embarking on a skill discovery endeavour, and building the necessary niche-specific skills goes a long way. He sheds light on the innovative AI-specific trends that will potentially alter the pharmaceutical world in the days to come, and believes that the future is AI, provided we navigate it with a positive mindset. 

Key Highlights:  
- A diverse team can better help navigate consumer requirements  
- Keeping cultural sensitivities in view drives global collaboration 
- AI integration in pharma is as beneficial as other sectors  
- Discovering and developing skills can go a long way in the private sector  
- The future is AI, if navigated with a positive mindset 

Visit mlarteka.com/podcast to learn more about each guest and read key insights for every episode.

In this episode of Behind the Growth, host Imran Mian interviews Suhanniyah Carpenter, Director of Consumer Banking, Technology Lead at Royal Bank of Canada as she traces her transition from a computer science major to a director. She talks about the tussle between work and starting a family in the minds of young women in the corporate world, and suggests that the latter works out if you maintain your network and make yourself visible.  

Suhanniyah clears up uncertainties around remote working, stressing upon the benefits of considering your manager your partner in career progression. She talks about focusing on why you are in the room instead of the challenges that come in your way as a woman of color. Sharing her personal experiences, she talks about how her managers helped her get over her imposter syndrome and pushed leadership opportunities her way.  

The intentional focus on diversifying the talent mix encourages and delights her, for she believes that it opens doors long stuck. Suhanniyah also stresses upon having supportive conversations for career advancement as an important pillar of diversity and inclusion. She sheds light on the latest fintech advancements and changes in the landscape of consumer banking, while highlighting the ripple effects of having meaningful connections and conversations.  

Key Takeaways: 
- Early motherhood IS compatible with corporate success 
- Remote working can pave opportunities for growth just like its counterpart  
- Excelling in your field as a woman of color is not impossible  
- Considering your managers as partners in your career progression works a long way 
- Intentional focus on diversifying talent opens age-old stuck doors

Visit mlarteka.com/podcast to learn more about each guest and read key insights for every episode.