In this episode of Technovation, we feature a panel from the Metis Strategy Summit moderated by Ozlem Ulusoy, exploring how senior technology executives are preparing their talent for an AI-driven future.

Joining the conversation are Kristie Grinnell, CIO of TD SYNNEX; Madhu Ramamurthy, CIO of Zurich North America; and Sesh Tirumala, CIO of Western Digital. Together, they share how they create safe spaces for experimentation, assess and reskill their workforce, and strike the balance between innovation and governance.

The panelists discuss approaches to building transparent and explainable AI models, retaining subject matter expertise, and aligning people, process, and technology to unlock business value while managing risk.

Topics include:

Creating “playgrounds” for safe AI experimentation

Building transparent, incremental AI in regulated industries

Assessing and reskilling talent across IT architecture, data, and operations

Balancing insourcing, outsourcing, and SME development

Fostering a mindset of curiosity, business literacy, and innovation

How do you modernize a 160-year-old company feeding 500 million people?

Jennifer Hartsock, Chief Information and Digital Officer of Cargill, joins Peter High to unpack one of the most ambitious IT transformations in food and agriculture. Cargill, the largest privately held company in the U.S., is streamlining tech operations, insourcing talent, and deploying AI to drive global impact.

In this episode, Jen shares how she restructured Cargill’s tech teams to better align with business goals, reduced outsourcing from 80% to 60%, and embedded AI across R&D, sales, and operations. She also discusses her board service at Ingersoll Rand and reflects on ethical tech leadership at scale.

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In this episode of Technovation, we feature a panel from the Metis Strategy Summit moderated by Metis Strategy’s Co-Head of Executive Networks, Media, and Research Steven Norton, exploring how senior technology executives are aligning AI to their business strategy. Joining the conversation are Ryan Snyder, CIO of Thermo Fisher Scientific; Ramkumar Rayapureddy, CIO of Viatris; and Allen Fazio, CIO of Houlihan Lokey.

Together, they share how their organizations are evolving from isolated AI pilots to holistic strategies grounded in business value, robust governance, and relentless data modernization. The panelists discuss the practical realities of establishing clear measurement frameworks, navigating the tension between centralized control and decentralized innovation, and leading cultural change as AI adoption accelerates across regulated and fast-moving industries.

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Kelly Services is transforming the way enterprises approach staffing through AI-powered innovation, scalable tech, and smart acquisitions.

In this episode of Technovation, Peter High speaks with Sean Perry, Chief Information Officer of Kelly Services, a $4.3B staffing and professional services company. Sean shares how he’s driving modernization across IT, integrating recent acquisitions like Motion Recruitment, and developing innovative AI tools to deliver enterprise-wide value.

From launching a custom AI assistant (GRACE) to implementing a modern tech stack across legacy systems, Sean reveals how Kelly is reshaping its digital future while improving candidate and client experiences. He also draws lessons from his time at Amazon and Robert Half to rethink internal products with a customer-first mindset.

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In today’s episode of Technovation, we feature a fireside chat from our Metis Strategy Summit, held on May 13, 2025, and moderated by Peter High. The guest is Justin Wexler, General Partner at WndrCo, a venture capital firm focused on scaling AI and enterprise innovation.

In this candid conversation, Justin offers a behind-the-scenes look at how WndrCo identifies, mentors, and scales AI startups into enterprise-ready solutions. With deep involvement in companies like Writer and Netomi, he explores what separates proof-of-concept from production-grade success—and what enterprise CIOs can do to help startups land and expand.

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How does a $48B tech distributor reinvent itself as a platform company?

In this episode, Peter High speaks with Dham Pathervellai, Chief Technology Officer of Ingram Micro, a global distributor and technology platform connecting 2500+ vendors with 160,000 customers in 200+ countries. Dham unpacks the company’s evolution from a traditional distributor to a platform-first enterprise.

Dham shares his perspective on building Ingram’s digital backbone, leading enterprise architecture, and scaling a global technology team. He also outlines how Ingram’s data mesh, intelligent data assistant, and “come as you are” integration strategy are helping to drive customer value, fuel innovation, and power AI transformation.

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In today’s episode of Technovation, we feature a panel from our Metis Strategy Summit held on May 13, 2025 moderated by Peter High. The topic was Designing an AI-First Operating Model, and the executives who joined the discussion were Talal Butt, Chief Information Officer of Generac Power Systems; Ampily Vijay, Chief Digital & Technology Officer of CBRE Investment Management; and Chris Nardecchia, Chief Digital Officer of Rockwell Automation. Each shares frontline perspectives on embedding AI at scale from energy tech and industrial automation to real estate investment and operations.

Together, they explore how enterprise leaders are shifting from isolated AI pilots to fully integrated operating models that prioritize data, talent, and measurable impact. From reshaping customer experiences and product ecosystems to building architecture for sustainable scale, this conversation delivers a playbook for moving beyond experimentation and into durable transformation.

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Kevin Doyle, Chief Digital Officer at Ecolab, joins Peter High to unpack how the company is scaling innovation through AI, IoT, and a modern data backbone. In this episode, Kevin shares how Ecolab Digital was formed to unify commercial product innovation, internal IT, and supply chain digitization. He describes the company’s use of agentic AI and generative tools to equip 28,000 field reps with insights, how digital twins and subscriptions drive monetization, and why MAP (Modern Analytics Platform) is central to value delivery.

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How do leading CIOs drive innovation, resilience, and trust amid volatility?

In today’s episode of Technovation, we feature a panel from our Metis Strategy Summit held on May 13, 2025 moderated by Peter High. The topic was Cultivating Resilience and Trust in Uncertain Times and the executives who joined the discussion were Cindy Hoots, Chief Information Officer of AstraZeneca, Rahul Jalali, Chief Information Officer of Union Pacific, and Ather Williams III, Head of Strategy, Digital, Innovation, & Enterprise Payments at Wells Fargo. Each shares frontline perspectives on navigating disruption from economic uncertainty and shifting supply chains to generative AI and regulatory complexity.

Together, they unpack how their organizations are leveraging digital platforms, data, and cross-functional leadership to respond to instability and build enduring trust with customers, regulators, and employees.

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How does a 174-year-old mutual insurance company stay ahead of the curve?

In this episode of Technovation, Peter High speaks with Sears Merritt, Head of Enterprise Technology and Experience at MassMutual. Sears leads a $650M tech budget and a global team of 3,000, driving innovation in cybersecurity, data, and generative AI to deliver superior experiences for employees, advisors, and policyholders. Sears shares insights on MassMutual’s modernization journey from consolidating legacy systems to rolling out secure GenAI tools like Microsoft Copilot and GitHub Copilot. He also unveils the company’s strategic investments in virtual assistants, R&D partnerships, and a groundbreaking health and wellness platform that aligns longevity with economic value for policyholders.

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