In episode 16 of The DS Show, Daanish Soomar sits down with Iver van de Zand, Vice President of Product Management at Anaplan, to explore his remarkable career journey from analytics leadership at SAP to his current role driving Anaplan’s product vision. Iver shares how he’s built a loyal following through blogging, public speaking, and community engagement, becoming a leading voice in the data and analytics space.

The conversation dives into Anaplan’s recent $100 million investment in its product roadmap—where those investments are being prioritized, and what they mean for customers and partners. Iver also offers valuable advice for aspiring product managers, reflecting on the skills, mindset, and leadership approach needed to succeed in today’s fast-evolving SaaS ecosystem.

Listeners will walk away with insights on the future of connected planning, the intersection of product and community, and practical guidance from one of the ecosystem’s top product executives.

In episode 15 of The DS Show, Daanish Soomar sits down with Darrell Cross, EVP of Finance at FOX Entertainment Studios. With over 15 years of experience across companies like MarVista, Wild Card, and Deluxe Media, Darrell shares his career journey from CFO roles to leading finance at one of the industry’s most dynamic studios.

In this episode, Darrell reflects on life before and after FOX’s acquisition of MarVista, offering an insider’s view on how major transitions reshape leadership roles. The conversation explores how Darrell approaches risk versus safe bets when evaluating content, his advice for FP&A talent aiming to break into entertainment, and his candid take on the value of systems like Anaplan in driving smarter financial planning.

Listeners will gain sharp insights into the evolving media landscape, leadership lessons from the top, and practical guidance for navigating finance and strategy roles in entertainment.

In episode 14 of The DS Show, Daanish Soomar welcomes Kirill Kuznetsov, Finance Transformation Manager and Certified Master Anaplanner at DSI Consulting. Kirill brings deep expertise in extended planning and analysis (xP&A), having led Anaplan implementations across industries like FMCG, energy, pharma, and luxury goods.

In this conversation, Kirill shares his insights on designing stable yet flexible Anaplan architectures that serve both business users and technical teams. The episode dives into his experiences as a Master Anaplanner, the evolution of the Anaplan Community, and practical lessons from his work spanning FP&A, supply chain, and sales and promo planning. Kirill also touches on his passion for mentoring, presales demos, and integrating Anaplan with advanced technologies like machine learning.

Listeners will come away with an insider’s view on delivering successful Anaplan projects, the importance of community involvement, and how to approach complex, multi-industry planning challenges.

In episode 13 of The DS Show, Daanish Soomar sits down with Jesse Walklin, Chief Revenue Officer at Codex Recruitment and a key voice in the Anaplan talent ecosystem. With nearly a decade of experience building high-performing teams across EPM technologies, Jesse offers a unique perspective on how the Anaplan ecosystem has evolved—and where it’s heading.

The conversation covers current hiring trends, the growing demand for hybrid skillsets, and what both companies and candidates should be thinking about as the planning tech space matures. Jesse also shares insights from working with Anaplan customers globally, how recruiting strategies have changed post-COVID, and what makes top talent stand out in a crowded market.

Whether you're building a team, job hunting, or just curious about where the Anaplan ecosystem is headed, this episode delivers valuable takeaways on the human side of enterprise tech.

In episode 12 of The DS Show, Daanish Soomar welcomes Ben Ashwell-Fryer, a seasoned finance executive and former VP of Finance at Exscientia, to explore the intersection of biotech, finance, and technology. With a career spanning scale-ups like Immunocore, BenevolentAI, and most recently Etcembly, Ben brings a wealth of insight into the financial challenges and opportunities unique to high-growth, science-driven companies.

The conversation dives into Ben’s career journey from corporate tax to biotech CFO, highlighting the evolving role of finance leaders in shaping strategy, enabling scalability, and driving innovation through data and technology. Daanish and Ben also discuss the importance of financial storytelling in the boardroom, the rise of connected planning, and what it takes to support R&D organizations with smart, agile financial processes.

Whether you're a finance professional in biotech or just curious how FP&A evolves in fast-moving environments, this episode delivers practical wisdom and strategic perspective from someone who’s been in the trenches of biotech finance at every stage.

In episode 11 of "The DS Show," Daanish Soomar hosts Chetan Alsisaria, CEO and Founder of Polestar Solutions, who brings a wealth of experience in entrepreneurship, business intelligence, and technology solutions. Chetan shares his career story, starting from his early days at top consulting firms to founding Polestar Solutions, a company that has become a leader in data analytics and enterprise performance management.

Throughout the conversation, Chetan discusses the lessons learned from his entrepreneurial journey, including the importance of forming the right alliances, building motivated teams, and driving sustainable growth. He delves into his approach to business, which focuses on creating win-win situations for all stakeholders—employees, clients, suppliers, and society at large.

Listeners will also gain insights into Chetan's thoughts on the future of technology solutions, particularly AI, and how businesses can leverage these tools for transformation and competitive advantage. He shares valuable career advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and technologists, emphasizing the need to continuously learn and adapt in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.

This episode offers a unique perspective on combining technical expertise with strategic business acumen, showcasing how innovative leadership can profoundly impact the tech industry and beyond. Chetan's story is an inspiring testament to the power of vision, perseverance, and ethical leadership in creating lasting change.

In episode 10 of "The DS Show," Daanish Soomar sits down with Caleb Maxson, Founder and CEO of Openvale Group, to explore the intersections of functional and technical skillsets in the Anaplan ecosystem. Caleb shares his extensive background in strategic finance and analytics across various industries, highlighting how his experiences have shaped his leadership approach and contributed to building a winning culture at OVG.

During the conversation, Caleb discusses the importance of breaking down traditional silos between functions and leveraging technology to enable faster decision-making and more efficient execution within teams. He also delves into his views on the future of the Anaplan Ecosystem, sharing insights on how it can continue to evolve and serve as a powerful tool for connected planning.

Listeners will gain an understanding of the crucial balance between deep technical knowledge and broad functional insights in driving business transformation. Caleb's commitment to a culture of excellence and innovation at Openvale Group offers a model for other leaders aiming to harness technology to scale their operations and strategic impact. This episode provides a rich discussion for anyone interested in the convergence of technology, business strategy, and leadership within the fast-evolving landscape of enterprise planning.

In episode 9 of "The DS Show," Daanish Soomar welcomes Seyma Tas, a Master Anaplanner and the Anaplan Product Owner at Caliber Collision, to discuss her extensive experience in the Anaplan ecosystem. Seyma shares her journey from her early days in data analysis and education, leading to her current role where she spearheads the design, build, and deployment of scalable Anaplan solutions for various business processes.

Throughout the conversation, Seyma offers insights into the complexities of integrating Anaplan with other systems, her advice for training end users and new model builders, and her leadership in establishing the Anaplan Center of Excellence at Caliber Collision.

Listeners will gain a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to manage and implement successful Anaplan projects in a large organization. Seyma's commitment to community involvement and her proactive approach to sharing knowledge and best practices make this episode a rich source of inspiration and advice for anyone interested in pursuing or advancing a career in Anaplan or business transformation.

In episode 8 of "The DS Show," host Daanish Soomar is joined by Karim Lameer, the dedicated Head of Biotech at DSI Consulting, who shares his comprehensive journey and insights within the Anaplan ecosystem. Karim discusses his progression from being an Anaplan customer and consultant to spearheading complex connected planning initiatives at DSI Consulting, emphasizing his deep commitment to the organization.

Throughout the episode, Karim provides valuable insights into the unique challenges and opportunities in implementing Anaplan's connected planning vision across the biotech industry. His approach focuses on breaking down silos, enhancing real-time data integration, and optimizing planning processes to adhere to the biotech mantra of "fail fast, fail cheap." Karim's story is not only about professional growth but also highlights his dedication to innovation and excellence in a highly specialized field.

Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the strategic thinking and technical expertise required to lead successful Anaplan implementations in biotech. Karim also shares practical advice for those looking to advance their careers within this niche yet crucial area of technology consulting. This episode is an inspiring look at a career built on passion, expertise, and a steadfast commitment to one's field.

In episode 7 of "The DS Show," Daanish Soomar converses with Mitch Aist, a Master Anaplanner and Solution Architect renowned for his dedication to enhancing business planning processes through Connected Planning and cloud-based tools. Mitch's extensive experience in leading Anaplan Center of Excellence (COE) teams across various companies has empowered stakeholders by seamlessly integrating multiple business processes, user groups, and technologies. Beyond his professional achievements, Mitch is deeply passionate about software accessibility, advocating for solutions that cater to special-needs computer users, including those suffering from Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) like himself.

The episode explores Mitch's journey through successful Anaplan implementations, his role in fostering Connected Planning, and his leadership in Anaplan COE teams. Additionally, Mitch shares his personal mission to improve software accessibility, discussing his networking with RSI sufferers, exploring tools and best practices for special-needs users, and his innovative approaches to utilizing complex software and computer functions hands-free.

Listeners will be inspired by Mitch's dual focus on advancing business planning solutions and his commitment to making technology accessible to everyone. His insights into the challenges and rewards of implementing Anaplan solutions across diverse environments, coupled with his advocacy for software accessibility, offer valuable lessons on both professional and personal fronts. Through this conversation, "The DS Show" highlights the importance of technology in solving business challenges while also underscoring the critical need for inclusivity in software design and usage.