Builders by Proxify

Join Builders as Jacopo Himberg, Director of Data at Wolt, shares his unique journey from in leading Wolt’s data operations. Discover how he built a strong data culture, scaled Wolt’s data infrastructure, and enabled self-service data access for teams. Packed with insights for data and tech leaders, this episode offers actionable advice on fostering innovation, embracing a startup mindset, and driving growth in fast-moving organizations.

Chapters

(00:00) Introduction to Jacopo Himberg and Volt

(01:01) Jakcopo's Career Journey and Transition to Data

(06:00) Early Days at Wolt and Company Culture

(08:22) Building Data Infrastructure at Wolt

(15:00) Evolving Data Strategy and Governance

(18:15) Self-Service Data Access and User Empowerment

(22:45) Trends in Data Platforms and Tooling Choices

(28:21) Data Certainty and Organizational Trust

(29:43) Challenges of Scaling Data Models

(32:28) Navigating Data Set Familiarity

(34:00) The Role of Automation and AI in Data Ecosystems

(40:22) Enhancing Knowledge Management with AI

(42:25) Challenges in Hiring Data Engineers

(45:54) Assessing Beyond Technical Skills in Hiring

(48:18) Maintaining a Startup Mindset in a Growing Organization

(52:00) Advice for Building and Scaling Data Teams

(54:42) The Future of Data and Business Decision-Making

Kristina Prilepchanska, Head of Procurement Solutions, IT & Digital at Electrolux, shares her journey from engineering to leading digital transformation in procurement. She discusses system integration, stakeholder management, and hiring for potential, while exploring how AI, sustainability, and innovation are shaping the future of procurement technology.

Chapters

(00:00) Introduction to Procurement and IT Integration

(03:54) The Role of Procurement in Manufacturing

(07:50) Navigating System Integration Challenges

(12:09) Managing Internal Stakeholders and Communication

(15:58) Building Relationships and Team Dynamics

(19:02) Hiring for Potential vs. Technical Skills

(22:04) Onboarding in a Complex Tech Environment

(26:02) Working Effectively with Consultants

(28:58) Ensuring Knowledge Transfer from Consultants

(31:54) Modernizing Legacy Systems

(37:35) Lessons Learned from Legacy Data Management

(41:16) Innovation in Procurement

(43:43) Sustainable Digital Transformation

(45:25) Future Trends in Procurement and Technology

In this episode of Builders, Lee Haynes interviews Pooyan Seddighzadeh, Vice President of Engineering at NOVO Energy, to discuss the future of battery technology and sustainable energy. Pooyan shares his journey into the battery industry, offering insights into technological advancements, recycling, and the role of regulations in shaping innovation. He highlights the importance of aligning engineering with strategic goals, building partnerships, and fostering sustainability. The conversation also explores the skills needed for engineering leadership, including flexibility, problem-solving, and guiding the next generation of engineers. A must-listen for anyone passionate about energy innovation and sustainable technology.

Chapters

(00:00) Introduction to Novo Energy and Pooyan Sedigzadeh

(03:41) Technological Shifts in Battery Energy Sector

(06:15) Challenges in the Battery Industry: Competition and Overcapacity

(09:13) Differentiating in the Energy Storage Market

(10:35) Navigating Regulations and Policies in Europe

(12:51) Sustainability at the Core of Novo Energy's Mission

(13:47) Battery Recycling Initiatives and Challenges

(19:17) Proud Moments in Battery Manufacturing

(21:08) Measuring Sustainability Impact

(22:48) Balancing Short-term Demands with Long-term Sustainability

(23:06) Balancing Short-Term Survival with Long-Term Sustainability

(24:24) Scaling Engineering Teams in a Rapidly Evolving Industry

(27:29) Navigating Cultural Challenges in Diverse Teams

(28:58) Identifying Strong Engineering Talent

(31:10) Fostering Innovation and Collaboration

(33:05) The Role of Partnerships in Energy Transition

(36:48) Learning from Other Industries

(38:40) Understanding Product Roadmaps in Engineering

(40:52) Essential Leadership Qualities in Engineering

(44:30) Advice for Young Engineers in Sustainable Energy

In this episode of Builders, Lee Haynes sits down with Gabor Harsanyi, Head of Marketing and Corporate Relations Data Office at Ericsson, to explore his journey from marketing to data analytics leadership. Gabor shares insights on data quality, customer experience, and the role of data in modern marketing strategies. He also discusses the challenges of leading data teams, mentorship, and attracting top talent, while reflecting on the future of data analytics in the age of AI. A must-listen for anyone interested in data-driven leadership, team building, and the evolving role of AI in business.

Chapters

(00:00) Introduction to Gabor Harsanyi and Ericsson

(01:08) Gabor's Career Journey in Data and Analytics

(04:33) The Intersection of Data and Marketing at Ericsson

(09:15) Data Quality Improvement and Its Impact

(12:24) Leveraging Data for Customer Experience

(18:13) Challenges in Data Analytics and Leadership

(20:11) Learning from Failures in Data Strategy

(25:50) Understanding Business Problems Before Solutions

(28:02) Building and Leading Teams at Ericsson

(29:18) Building Effective Teams: Skills and Qualities

(33:09) Attracting and Retaining Talent in Data

(35:38) The Evolving Role of Data Leaders

(36:50) The Importance of Mentorship

(39:16) Future Trends in Data Analytics

(45:26) Career Advice for Aspiring Data Professionals

In this episode of Builders, Lee Haynes speaks with Sara Asgari, Head of Digital & Analytics at Telia, about the future of telecom powered by data and AI. Sara shares her journey into digital transformation, the challenges of attracting and upskilling tech talent, and the importance of diverse teams. They also discuss smart cities, customer engagement, and why cybersecurity is critical in today’s connected world.

Chapters

(00:00) Introduction to Digital Transformation in Telecom

(00:58) Sara's Journey: From Engineering to Digital Leadership

(04:47) Evolution of Digital Analytics in Business

(06:07) Challenges in Transitioning to Data-Driven Strategies

(07:04) Attracting and Retaining Top Talent in Tech

(08:40) Creating an Engaging Work Environment for Talent

(10:15) Addressing the AI Skills Gap

(11:55) The Importance of Diversity in Hiring

(13:24) Building Inclusive Cultures Beyond Hiring

(15:53) Encouraging Collaboration Between Business and Tech

(17:22) Common Pitfalls in Business-Tech Alignment

(18:42) AI's Role in Shaping Customer Experience

(19:14) The Future of Hyper-Personalization and Automation

(21:43) Challenges in Implementing AI and Automation

(24:33) Predictive Analytics in Customer Service

(26:25) The Role of Telecom in Digital Services

(29:06) Hyper-Personalized Customer Experiences

(31:13) The Evolution of Networks with AI and 5G

(34:15) Leadership Lessons in Digital Transformation

(36:35) Future Projects and Sustainability in Telecom

In this episode of Builders, host Lee Haynes speaks with Stefan Wendin, Head of Intelligent Systems at RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, previously Principal AI Engineer at AI Sweden, about his journey from architecture to AI and the rapid adoption of AI in Sweden. Stefan shares insights into the challenges organizations face in realizing AI’s full value, the role of public-private partnerships, and how consensus-driven decision-making impacts innovation. The discussion highlights the importance of grit, hands-on problem-solving, and a mindset that embraces change. Discover why committing to action is key to fostering creativity, growth, and successful AI adoption.

Chapters

(00:00) Introduction to AI Sweden and Stefan Wendin

(01:25) Stefan's Journey: From Restoration to AI Innovation

(04:50) AI Adoption in Sweden: Trends and Drivers

(07:24) Challenges in Realizing AI Value

(10:16) Transforming Operational Efficiency with AI

(14:03) Public-Private Partnerships in AI Development

(18:03) Best Practices for Quick AI Value Realization

(22:03) The Role of Consensus in Organizational Speed

(26:41) Personal Projects and Problem Solving in AI

(30:15) Hands-On Experimentation and Creativity in Leadership

(33:18) Cultivating a Mindset for Change

(37:27) Navigating Change in Large Organizations

(42:29) Hiring for Grit vs. Technical Expertise

(46:53) The Impact of Grit Over Technical Proficiency

(50:15) Lessons from Hands-On Experimental Approaches

In this episode of Builders, host Lee Haynes sits down with Ludvig Strand, Emerging Tech & AI Future Analyst at Axel Johnson, to explore the future of artificial intelligence and its impact on businesses. Ludvig shares his journey into tech, the role of an AI analyst, and how to identify and evaluate emerging trends in AI and technology. The conversation dives into generative AI, reinforcement learning, and the ethical challenges of AI adoption. Discover why curiosity and critical thinking are essential for leaders navigating today’s fast-paced AI landscape.

Chapters

(00:00) Introduction to Emerging Tech and AI

(01:01) Ludvig's Journey into Tech and AI

(02:37) Role of a Future Analyst in Tech

(04:11) Trend Spotting in Emerging Technologies

(07:24) Exciting Trends in AI and Emerging Tech

(10:06) Reinforcement Learning vs Imitation Learning

(11:53) Evaluating AI Solutions for Businesses

(14:49) AI as Part of Innovation Strategy

(18:40) Moving from Experimentation to Implementation

(21:19) Navigating the New Landscape of Generative AI

(26:27) Real-World Applications of Generative AI

(31:51) Understanding Misconceptions and Ethical Concerns

(36:58) Regulation and Governance in AI

(40:25) Advice for Business Leaders in the AI Era

In this episode of Builders, host Lee Haynes sits down with Ludvig Strand, Emerging Tech & AI Future Analyst at Axel Johnson, to explore the future of artificial intelligence and its impact on businesses. Ludvig shares his journey into tech, the role of an AI analyst, and how to identify and evaluate emerging trends in AI and technology. The conversation dives into generative AI, reinforcement learning, and the ethical challenges of AI adoption. Discover why curiosity and critical thinking are essential for leaders navigating today’s fast-paced AI landscape.

Chapters

(00:00) Introduction to Emerging Tech and AI

(01:01) Ludvig's Journey into Tech and AI

(02:37) Role of a Future Analyst in Tech

(04:11) Trend Spotting in Emerging Technologies

(07:24) Exciting Trends in AI and Emerging Tech

(10:06) Reinforcement Learning vs Imitation Learning

(11:53) Evaluating AI Solutions for Businesses

(14:49) AI as Part of Innovation Strategy

(18:40) Moving from Experimentation to Implementation

(21:19) Navigating the New Landscape of Generative AI

(26:27) Real-World Applications of Generative AI

(31:51) Understanding Misconceptions and Ethical Concerns

(36:58) Regulation and Governance in AI

(40:25) Advice for Business Leaders in the AI Era

In this episode of Builders, host Lee Haynes sits down with Martina Johannesson, Senior Technical Product Manager at Unity, to explore the intersection of AI and creativity. Martina shares her journey into tech and product management, and unpacks the exciting innovations—and complex challenges—behind developing AI tools for creators. From democratizing creative expression to navigating the ethical implications of AI-generated content, Martina offers a thoughtful look at the future of AI in creative industries.

Chapters

(00:00) Introduction to AI and Creativity

(02:17) Martina's Journey in Tech

(04:09) Defining Creativity in the Age of AI

(05:36) Unity's Impact on the Creative Industry

(08:04) Unity's Role Beyond Gaming

(10:16) AI Tools for Creative Workflows

(14:02) AI's Role in Overcoming Creative Blocks

(16:11) Benchmarking Creativity with AI

(20:04) Balancing AI and Human Creativity

(22:31) AI in Game Development: Challenges and Opportunities

(25:56) User-Centric Design in AI Tools

(28:22) Feedback Loops: Shaping AI Development

(30:05) Navigating Challenges in AI Tool Development

(34:33) Ethical Considerations in AI Content Generation

(38:26) The Future of AI and Creativity

(41:19) Advice for Aspiring Product Managers

In this episode of Builders, host Lee Haynes talks with Sepehr Mohammadi, AI and Machine Learning Tech Lead at Apotea, Sweden’s first full-scale online pharmacy. Sepi shares his journey from hands-on engineering to technical leadership, offering a candid look at the challenges of hiring in AI, building high-performing teams, and designing real-world machine learning solutions. 

Chapters

(00:00) Introduction to AI and Machine Learning in E-commerce

(01:14) Seppi Mohamedi's Journey: From Engineering to AI Leadership

(06:20) Challenges in Transitioning to Leadership Roles

(07:33) Hiring for AI and Machine Learning: Evolving Criteria

(13:26) Assessing Candidates: Skills and Continuous Learning Mindset

(14:12) Building and Scaling High-Performing Machine Learning Teams

(20:54) Designing Machine Learning Platforms vs. Traditional Software

(23:52) Cloud Technologies and Their Impact on Machine Learning Platforms

(26:28) Common Mistakes in Designing Machine Learning Platforms

(27:19) The Importance of a Solid Data Layer

(28:22) Shifting Business Expectations of AI

(30:48) Bridging the Gap Between Technical and Business Teams

(35:03) Innovative Machine Learning Products at Apotea

(38:48) Future Opportunities in AI-Driven Automation

(42:30) Building Foundations for Innovation

(44:12) Leadership Qualities in AI and Machine Learning

(46:04) Listening to Your Team for Success