Keep Moving Forward

Andy Sen, chief technology officer and co-founder of AppDirect, shares how bottom-up experimentation accelerates AI adoption, strengthens ownership, and unlocks unexpected innovation across teams.

In this episode of Keep Moving Forward, Andy breaks down why fear fades when people start to use AI, how celebration drives more progress than mandates, and what leaders should focus on when beginning their AI journey.

Mike Gibson, chief technology officer at Planet DDS, shares how empathy drives performance, why clarity builds trust, and how communication holds distributed teams together.

In this episode of Keep Moving Forward, Mike explains how to lead through change with transparency, build autonomy through trust, and create the space teams need to innovate—even in fast-moving, high-stakes tech environments.

Justin Kerestes, SVP of Engineering at Fanatics Betting & Gaming, shares how trusted leadership is built through everyday interactions, why culture demands flexible leadership across contexts, and how to scale fast without sacrificing stability.

In this episode of Keep Moving Forward, he explains the ROI of 35 weekly 1:1s in a remote-first org, a practical operational excellence playbook, and where AI actually moves the needle in sports betting.

Ancestry’s Suresh Teckchandani, VP of Product and Engineering, has led teams through transformation by defining non-negotiables, treating innovation as an everyday discipline, and preparing for AI’s impact on engineering.

In this episode of Keep Moving Forward, he explains why principles create alignment, how small innovations add up to big outcomes, and how AI can free teams to focus on what matters most.

Tim Zallmann, Vice President of Engineering at GitLab, has spent nearly a decade shaping one of the world’s largest fully remote organizations. His approach to leadership is built on trust, clarity, and adaptability — giving teams the confidence to move fast and innovate together.

In this episode of Keep Moving Forward, Tim shares why proof of concepts are one of the most powerful tools for experimentation and alignment, how distributed teams can stay connected without slowing down, and why AI represents the most significant wave of innovation since the internet.

Ayesha Mahmood, vice president of software engineering at Zscaler, has built her career on adaptability, empathy, and a commitment to growth. From building frameworks at Apple that remain in use more than a decade later to leading global teams through rapid technology shifts, she believes leadership starts by meeting people where they are.

In this episode of Keep Moving Forward, Ayesha shares lessons on situational leadership, how to balance developer experience and long-term strategy, and why adaptive user interfaces will transform cybersecurity.

Bala Muthiah, director of engineering at Lyft, believes that leadership is less about having the answers and more about creating space for people to grow.

In this episode of Keep Moving Forward, Bala shares how volunteering at a local school inspired his shift into leadership, why clarity of purpose transforms teams, and how empathy and communication build resilient engineering cultures.

Whether you’re navigating the move from individual contributor to leader or looking to strengthen your leadership style, Bala’s lessons on trust, purpose, and people-first thinking will guide you.

Brandon Lonac is vice president of software engineering at Disney Streaming, where he's helping scale Hulu, integrate Disney+, and drive innovation for millions of viewers worldwide.

In this episode of Keep Moving Forward, Brandon shares how respect and clear communication shape his engineering leadership. He discusses how to create inclusive team cultures, proactively manage technical debt, and empower teams through curiosity and autonomy. Brandon also explains why simple manners — like saying “please” and “thank you” — make a big difference in team performance and sense of safety.

Whether you're scaling engineering teams or building a stronger team culture, Brandon offers practical guidance that’s grounded in human connection.

Abhishek Kumar is vice president of engineering at Trellix, where he leads globally distributed teams focused on AI-driven threat detection and security innovation.

In this episode of Keep Moving Forward, Abhishek shares how mindset influences hiring, why proactive leadership matters more than ever, and how mentorship helps develop the next generation of engineering leaders. He also reflects on lessons learned from two decades in cybersecurity.

This conversation is packed with takeaways for anyone building and scaling engineering teams in complex, fast-moving environments.

Ivey Chiu of TELUS joins Keep Moving Forward to talk about building ethical, inclusive, and human-centered AI systems in her role as senior manager of AI research partnerships, AI for Good, and innovation.

In this episode, Ivey shares her journey from circuit-building with her dad to leading national AI initiatives at one of Canada’s largest telecom and tech companies. She shares how to formalize AI for Good programs, foster community in hybrid teams, and use soft skills like communication and adaptability to drive technical leadership. Ivey also reflects on founding the WIN-TEC Network and why representation, mentorship, and flexibility matter more than ever.

Whether you're building AI products, managing distributed teams, or championing inclusion in tech, Ivey's story is packed with insights and inspiration.