The Tech Trek

In this episode, Amir welcomes Barb Wixom, Principal Research Scientist at MIT Sloan’s Center for Information Systems Research, to unpack what data monetization truly means and why most organizations misunderstand it. Barb shares insights from three decades of research and her new book, explaining the three real ways to convert data into financial value and the core capabilities companies need to do it right. This is a must-listen for anyone serious about turning data into measurable business impact rather than just buzzwords.

Key Takeaways

• There are only three ways to monetize data: improving internal processes, wrapping analytics around products or services, and selling informational solutions.

• Success in data monetization starts with managing data as an asset, not just accumulating it.

• Five core capabilities define maturity: data management, data platform, data science, customer understanding, and acceptable data use.

• Companies should begin with internal improvements before moving to external monetization like data products or solutions.

• Having “a lot of data” is irrelevant if it’s not usable, trusted, and aligned with strategy.

Timestamped Highlights

(01:17) Barb’s research journey from data warehousing to modern data monetization

(03:30) Why no one agrees on what data monetization means—and why that matters

(08:41) The three true paths to monetizing data: improving, wrapping, selling

(14:46) The five core capabilities every organization needs before chasing advanced monetization

(18:04) Why small startups can outperform big enterprises with fewer data assets

(24:32) The “drinkable water” analogy for usable data

(28:34) How to connect data, insight, action, and value realization

(31:49) Why mastering the basics still determines success in GenAI and beyond

A Thought That Sticks

“It’s not about how much data you have. It’s about how smart you are with the data you have.” – Barb Wixom

Pro Tips

Start with improving internal processes using data analytics before moving to external data monetization. Build capabilities methodically and always evaluate acceptable data use as your organization scales.

Call to Action

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a colleague who’s navigating data strategy. Subscribe and follow for more conversations that connect people, impact, and technology.

In this podcast episode, Naomi Yudanin, the Director of Medical Data at Munich Re, discusses the relevance of domain-specific data science expertise. She shares her journey, starting in biochemistry and molecular biology, transitioning into systems immunology, and eventually ending up in medical data and EHR product management. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the objective of generating insights from data and how clear business objectives and proper questions drive successful data analysis in healthcare. Beyond the typical technical questions, Naomi encourages stakeholders to think about the stories they want to tell with their data. She links them to the business value to derive actionable insights. She also touches on the perception of data quality in the healthcare industry and how the interpretation of analytics can result in different business outcomes.

Highlights

01:42 Understanding the Role of Domain-Specific Knowledge in Data Science

03:33 The Value of Domain Expertise in Data Science

04:24 Challenges and Advantages of Having a Non-Technical Background

07:30 The Importance of Understanding the Data and its Relevance

10:14 The Gap between Business Outcomes and Technical Delivery

16:27 The Role of Data in Achieving Business Outcomes

19:29 The Importance of Telling the Right Story with Data

Dr. Naomi Yudanin is currently the Director of Medical Data at Munich Re, a leading global provider of reinsurance, primary insurance and insurance-related risk solutions. Throughout her career, Naomi has integrated healthcare domain expertise with machine learning approaches to derive clinically relevant insights and provide actionable guidance for health product development and care delivery. Prior to joining Munich Re, Dr. Yudanin led enterprise-wide AI/ML development in several health tech startups, most recently as the Chief Data Scientist at Nanowear. Naomi obtained a PhD in Systems Immunology at Columbia University, where she received the Parker Graduate Award for innovative research, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in computational genomics at Weill Cornell. The results of her research comprise multiple publications in high-impact journals, including Cell, Science, and Nature. Since transitioning to industry, Naomi has been awarded over $2 million in grants and co-authored two patents for AI/ML applications in healthcare. She continues to serve on the NIH study section for translational AI and as an advisor on several SBIR awards and regulatory committees focused on digital health.

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Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.

Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.com

Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?

Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)

The podcast features Suresh Martha, Head of Data-Driven Innovation and Analytics at EMD Serono, discussing extending technical impact, particularly in AI and Machine Learning. He gives insights into managing technological advances within a team, ensuring resources are utilized efficiently, and delivering capabilities to stakeholders. Martha also elaborates on the challenges of upskilling oneself to understand better and manage new technologies. Further, he explains strategies to evaluate new tools and technologies and ways to upscale resources and highlights the careful balance between exploration and delivery. Strategies to build roadmaps and adapt to emerging technologies and trends, such as generative AI, are also discussed alongside data security and privacy considerations.

Highlights

01:03 Challenges of Leadership in Tech

01:54 Suresh's Role and Responsibilities at EMD Serono

03:25 Approach to New Technologies and Upskilling

05:37 Hiring for New Skills and Roles

11:04 Balancing Technical Skills and Leadership

17:22 Building a Roadmap for Data-Driven Innovation

17:45 Exploring Generative AI and Future Plans

Guest: Suresh Martha is the Head of Data Driven Innovations & Analytics at EMD Serono (US), the healthcare business of Merck KGaA, in Darmstadt, Germany. He is a renowned information technology professional with over 18 years of experience in data warehousing and business intelligence (BI). He is a highly skilled, passionate professional with a proven track record of delivering sophisticated reporting and analytical solutions to stakeholders. He is a senior Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) member. He has participated as a judge for the Stevie Awards, the Globee Awards, the Smart India Hackathon 2022, and the Brandon Hall Excellence Awards. He is a co-mentor for small business owners at SCORE, acts as a Journal Peer Reviewer, and is a renowned speaker. 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/suresh-martha-85209629/

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Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.

Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.comHave questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests? Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)

In this podcast episode, Amir interviews John O'Toole, the Senior Director of Data Analytics at Tendo, a software-first company specializing in improving patient care journey. They discuss how Tendo uses data and analytics to improve patient care, help hospitals improve their rankings, and decrease the burden on healthcare providers. Integrating AI as a tool of assistance rather than a replacement in the healthcare industry is emphasized. John also highlights how Tendo creates a centralized, standardized patient data system to ease patient and provider processes. He sees future developments where patient-centric services become increasingly integrated and efficient.

Highlights:

02:01 The Impact of Data on Patient Care

03:26 Innovative Approaches to Patient Care

04:26 The Challenges and Opportunities of Data in Healthcare

05:15 The Process of Evaluating and Utilizing Data

06:56 The Importance of Partnership in Data Analysis

16:28 The Future of AI in Healthcare

22:20 The Role of Tendo in Streamlining Patient Information

Guest:

John O'Toole is a healthcare industry expert with over 15 years of experience. Throughout his career, John has worked in various clinical areas, with the last eight years focused on Analytics. His data analysis, management skills, and expertise have led him to successfully manage enterprise analytics teams in the healthcare provider space. John holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Applied Psychology from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a Master of Arts degree in Health Systems Management from Rush University. In July 2023, John accepted a position as Senior Director of Analytics at Tendo, a health tech startup.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jotoole1/

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Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and we would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.

Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.comHave questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?
Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)

In this episode, Amir Bormand talks to Will Ross, the CEO and co-founder of Federato, about how insurance companies are adopting AI. They discuss the transformative impact of AI on the insurance industry, particularly in underwriting. Ross underscores the significant role of underwriters in influencing both the top and bottom lines of growth in insurance companies. He then explains how Federato leverages AI technologies to help underwriters optimize their process. The conversation also delves into the future of AI, the evolving definition of AI, and the importance of understanding its potential applications beyond popular mainstream concepts like ChatGPT. Ross shares real-life examples of how AI can substantially enhance efficiency in the insurance industry, such as 'win ability' modeling. Ultimately, he envisions AI as bolstering human capabilities in the insurance sector rather than replacing jobs.

Highlights:

00:30 Understanding Federato and its Role in the Insurance Industry

02:41 The Evolution and Impact of AI in Various Industries

03:38 The AI Paradox and its Implications

05:19 The Role of AI in Insurance

06:20 Understanding the Perception and Application of AI in Different Industries

10:48 The Role of AI in Optimizing Business Processes

18:49 The Future of AI in Job Roles and Industries

Co-Founder & CEO at Federato

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Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and we would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.

Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.comHave questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?

Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)

In this episode, Jason Ash, Chief of Data at Symetra, joins the podcast to discuss the transformation happening within the insurance industry. He highlights the dynamic relationship between business and technology and the importance of stakeholders in rolling out solutions. Jason also delves into the non-technical side of the insurance business and how it contributes to overall success. This conversation transcends the industry and offers insights that can be applied to other sectors. 

Highlights:

[00:02:20] Technology adoption in business.

[00:04:56] Bridging business and technology.

[00:08:08] Importance of diverse perspectives.

[00:10:49] Rolling out insurance products.

[00:13:41] Thinking about data early.

[00:19:29] Broader participation in data.

[00:19:56] Collaborative approach to problem-solving.

[00:22:20] Onboarding new team members.

[00:24:31] Stakeholder expectations and data delivery.

[00:26:22] Building foundational infrastructure.

[00:31:02] Insurance and healthcare battle.

[00:34:29] Advancing career paths for team.

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Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and we would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.

Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.comHave questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?

Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)

In this episode, Vineeth Loganathan, the Director of Machine Learning at ViralGains, discusses building a successful data program. He explores the importance of a clear vision and steps in delivering value through data. Vineeth also explains the concept of zero-party data and how it can be used for targeted marketing. Tune in to gain insights on balancing short-term and long-term data needs and delivering value to customers.

Highlights:

[00:00:57] Zero-party data for ads.

[00:06:00] Closing the loop on data.

[00:07:20] Understanding stakeholder needs.

[00:11:51-00:12:01] Defining metrics and understanding churn.

[00:16:10] Delivering value with machine learning.

[00:20:46] Research in machine learning.

[00:22:03] NLP advancements and their impact.

[00:26:10] Analyst in a box.

[00:30:22] Prompt engineering and ML ops.

[00:34:49] Formulating strategies in ML.

Vineeth Loganathan leads Machine Learning and Data Science at ViralGains, an ad-tech company based in Boston. His team's charter is to leverage the power of machine learning to deliver an audience-driven marketing strategy for brands that optimize outcomes across the customer decision journey.

Connect:

https://twitter.com/VineethLogan

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Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and we would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.

Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.comHave questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?

Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)

In this episode, Amir Bormand sits down with Clay Callaway, Director of Operations Data Insights & Analytics at Delta Dental of California, to unpack a multi-year data transformation journey inside a large healthcare insurer.

What began as a leadership question that exposed massive data silos evolved into a full-scale enterprise initiative—complete with data governance, modern architecture, and a shift in mindset from reporting to real-time insights. Clay shares why “if you build it, they will come” didn’t work the first (or second) time, how aligning with business drivers changed everything, and what it takes to move from raw data to meaningful impact.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

Silos Sparked the Transformation

A simple question from leadership exposed inconsistencies in data due to departmental silos. This catalyzed a multi-year transformation toward enterprise-wide data governance.

“If You Build It, They Might Not Come”

Previous attempts at data warehousing failed because they weren’t tied to business drivers. This time, they focused on value creation, not just infrastructure.

Business First, Then Architecture

Clay and team prioritized business outcomes—like reducing costs, enabling faster decisions, and improving provider networks—before choosing tech solutions.

From Call Center Metrics to Customer Experience

Instead of optimizing for “average handle time,” the team shifted to measuring and improving customer experience across multiple stakeholders.

The Shift to Insight Generation

Now that the enterprise data platform is built, Clay's role has evolved from building the system to extracting value and insights—using predictive analytics to preempt customer issues.

⏱️ Timestamped Highlights:

[00:02:00] – Why inconsistent data triggered a full-scale transformation

[00:04:00] – How data governance got off the ground before technology

[00:07:00] – Lessons from past failures: Building without business buy-in

[00:09:00] – Focusing on enterprise-wide drivers like revenue and cost

[00:13:00] – Avoiding tech FOMO: Why they skipped Hadoop and how that helped

[00:16:00] – Balancing innovation and ongoing operations

[00:19:00] – Using data science to identify what triggers a customer call

[00:21:00] – Reframing KPIs: From cost savings to stakeholder experience

[00:23:00] – Rethinking their mission: From dental coverage to access to care

💬 Standout Quote:

“We thought if we build this awesome data warehouse, everybody's going to come use it. Well, that didn’t happen… You have to work towards business outcomes and specifically, business value.” – Clay Callaway

📚 Resources Mentioned:

Data Governance Tools: Used to align business stakeholders across silos before building data architecture.

Enterprise Architecture: Empowered to lead tech direction while business leaders focused on outcomes.

💼 Career Tip:

Clay’s move from tech to business operations underscores a powerful career path: Build the system, then lead the value extraction. Technical leaders can position themselves to drive change by aligning architecture with enterprise goals.

On this podcast episode, Amir Bormand interviews Madeline Minshew, the Vice President of Culture at True Ventures. They discuss the importance of hiring your first head of people and what to look for when taking a job as the first people leader hire. True Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm that invests in extraordinary founders and their innovative ideas. They are sector-agnostic and focus on backing exceptional individuals in various markets. This episode explores the characteristics of successful founders and the significance of building a strong team.

Highlights: 

[00:02:26] Characteristics of extraordinary founders.

[00:07:11] Letting go of control.

[00:09:25] Preserving culture while scaling.

[00:13:40] Building the right company.

[00:18:58] Questions for job seekers.

[00:24:14] HR's evolving role in organizations.

[00:27:21] Asking questions and viewing problems.

Guest:

As True’s VP of Culture, Madeline guides True Founders as they evolve as leaders, grow their teams, and intentionally build organizational cultures. She believes authentic, honest relationships that value trust, diversity of perspectives, and open feedback are the quintessential cornerstone of healthy, high-performing teams.

Above all, Madeline is a super-connector across the True Portfolio; she brings together founders, executives, and portfolio team members to create deeper synergy, build collective wisdom, and encourage a sense of belonging.

Prior to joining True, Madeline was the VP of people and talent at Handshake, a True Portfolio company that’s since grown into the leading career development network for college students and recent graduates. Before Handshake, Madeline focused on hiring high-performing talent and building strong, inclusive cultures at Cadre, Tumblr, and Google.

A San Francisco native, Madeline also speaks French and German fluently. Madeline graduated magna cum laude from Barnard College of Columbia University with a major in political science and a minor in French literature.

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Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and we would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.

Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.comHave questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?

Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)

In this episode, Amir Bormand interviews Tariq Shaukat, co-CEO at Sonar, about the impact of software and AI on companies. They discuss how every company wants to be a software company and how AI is accelerating this trend. They delve into the challenges companies face in pivoting to deliver software and the importance of clean code. The conversation also touches on the role of the board in driving digital transformation. Tune in to gain insights into the evolving landscape of enterprise software and AI.

Highlights:

[00:00:04] Software is eating the world.

[00:03:02] Companies becoming software-enabled.

[00:05:36] Importance of software in industries.

[00:09:11] Cultural and educational aspects.

[00:11:58] Education and deployment of AI.

[00:14:21] Trust but verify AI governance.

[00:17:18] AI and cybersecurity governance.

[00:21:39] AI impact on software development.

[00:24:13] Software pricing models in AI.

[00:28:06] Per seat pricing vs. value delivery.

Guest:

Tariq Shaukat is co-CEO of Sonar, the world's leading Clean Code solution, and is a member of Sonar's Board of Directors. Tariq has extensive experience in growing and scaling private and public companies across many domains, including cloud computing, social media, travel, and entertainment.
Before joining Sonar, Tariq was the President of Bumble Inc., the parent company that operates the Bumble, Badoo, Fruitz and Official mobile apps. He joined Bumble as the company’s first ever President, and partnered with the Founder and CEO to successfully IPO and scale the company to over $900M in revenue in 2022. Prior to that, Tariq was President of Google Cloud. There, he played a key role in establishing its go-to-market operations as well as its industry and AI solutions, and scaling the company to over $12B in revenue. He has also held senior roles at Caesars Entertainment, McKinsey & Company, and Trilogy Software.
Tariq serves on the Board of Trustees of Public Storage, a leading self-storage REIT, and on the Board of Directors of Gap Inc, the iconic fashion and apparel retailer. He holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and an M.S. in Technology and Policy from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, as well as an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University.

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Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and we would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.

Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.com
Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?

Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)