Transformers Podcast

What happens when a tech leader trades private equity and pro sports for public service? In this episode of Transformers, Frank Sweeney, CIO of the Arizona Department of Child Safety, shares how his unconventional career path led him to one of the most purpose-driven roles in government.

Frank discusses how his team is using AI not to replace humans—but to empower them. From reducing administrative burden for field workers to improving outcomes for families and children, Frank explains how ethical, human-centered AI is transforming child welfare in Arizona.

Whether you're a CIO, CTO, or tech strategist, this episode offers a powerful look at how emerging technologies can serve people—not just processes.

00:01 An unconventional path towards a purpose-driven career

05:54 The “big three” responsibilities of a (public sector) CIO

08:52 AI as a tool—not a solution—to support purpose-driven work

12:05 Balancing innovative solutions with risk management and compliance

15:25 AI can't replace our instincts: Why you still need humans in the loop

18:54 Maintaining data privacy and security when in the field

21:41 How technology can help caregivers reduce stress and avoid burnout

24:10 Leading a purpose-driven life

The opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of IBM or any other organization or entity.

What does it really take to transform a legacy institution into a digital-first, human-centered enterprise? Drawing from decades of experience, Amala Duggirala, Head of Digital Data and Technology at USAA, breaks down the four dimensions of transformation—technology, product, business value and culture—and shares how to scale innovation without losing sight of compliance, quality or people.

0:01 – Get to know Amala Duggirala

2:12 – The four types of transformation

7:34 – Move like a startup, scale like an E(nterprise)

12:35 – Want to win with AI? Get your foundations right.

16:25 – How USAA delivers on the full spectrum of financial needs

19:06 – Transformation lessons from around the world

22:30 – Turning point of a transformation: Words vs. actions

The opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of IBM or any other organization or entity.

How is private equity–backed FalconStor reinventing itself in the age of AI? Ann sits down with CEO Todd Brooks and CTO Ron Morita to explore the company’s evolution beyond legacy hardware, its embrace of artificial intelligence, and how it’s driving growth through cutting-edge technology and human ingenuity.

0:01 – The hybrid cloud world

1:53 – How FalconStor transformed to survive

4:42 – The CTO role: Partnerships, products and roadmaps to success

8:57 – CEOs and CTOs working together

11:13 – A handbook for partnerships

16:45 – Bridging hardware, software and the hybrid cloud worlds

21:45 – Infusing AI for sales and customer support

29:46 – What drives you and your decision-making?

The opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of IBM or any other organization or entity.

In this riveting Season 2 opener, host Ann Funai dives deep into a comprehensive discussion with David Tan, CTO of CrushBank. They traverse the evolution of tech roles and Tan's strategic approach to AI model selection. The conversation also encompasses the crucial importance of comprehending the data fueling AI and shifting perspectives on AI capabilities beyond the hype. Drawing from shared experiences in IT, they share and demonstrate practical techniques for effectively communicating complex tech to non-technical audiences.

0:01 – Get to know David Tan and his role as CTO at CrushBank

1:31 – Approach to internal and external transformation

2:20 – How to choose the right AI model

5:06 – The case for small models

7:31 – Customized vs open source models

8:49 – Common pitfalls in AI transformation

10:11 – Transforming mindsets and understanding AI impact

13:46 – Shared backgrounds and the evolution of CIO and CTO roles

20:00 – Effectively communicating complex tech to non-tech audiences

23:28 – The magic is in the data, not AI

The opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of IBM or any other organization or entity.

Join Ann as she reflects on the first season of Transformers by highlighting six recurring lessons from CIOs and CTOs on business and tech transformations.

00:01 – Intro

00:16 – Transformation is inevitable

01:42 – Key transformation drivers: Culture, mindset, trust

03:07 – Trust means transparency and communication

4:29 – The AI hype is real, but so is its potential

6:59 – Learn to embrace the process

8:16 – Consider the human element throughout transformation

9:13 – Get to know the CIO

The opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of IBM or any other organization or entity.

Navigating transformation traps with Nonie Sethi, Partner, BCG. Why do so many transformations fail, and how can we change it? With all the technology and data at our fingertips, most business transformations still feel like death by a thousand tiny cuts. Too many fail to flourish, even when the main culprits are entirely within the enterprise’s ability to navigate. In this episode, Ann talks with Nonie Sethi, Partner at BCG, who has made an art of using technology and data to help teams drive successful business transformations even in the most tenuous of circumstances.

1:00—Meet Nonie Sethi

3:00—Nonie's career transformation from Microsoft to BCG

5:05—Three steps to business transformation

7:08—How do you capture value creation?

8:19—What are the business transformation trends?

13:19—Three reasons business transformations fail

15:30—“Communication coupled with data is crucial to success”

20:45—What can management consulting firms do better?

23:35—How do you bring AI into business transformations?

27:50—Failing fast to win faster

The opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of IBM or any other organization or entity.

Three keys to business transformation with Benni Blau, CPIO, SAP. Transforming your workforce takes more than big speeches and fancy slide decks. Successful transformations come from the right alignment of people, technology and process. Dr. Benni Blau, Chief Process & Information Officer of SAP, talks about how he approaches process and IT strategy, the critical elements of transformation, and why partnerships matter now more than ever.

0:47 - Meet Benni Blau

1:57 - Cloud transformation and the evolution of the CIO

3:35 - The rate and pace of transformation

5:23 - Putting people and processes at the forefront of transformation

9:00 - New demands on CIOs and the power of partnerships

11:57 - The value management mindset

14:47 - People, AI and the Jevons paradox

16:57 - Dealing with application sprawl

21:35 - Non-digital downtime

The opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of IBM or any other organization or entity.

Healthy tech with Sarah Hatchett, Cleveland Clinic. The stakes are uniquely high for CIOs in healthcare. From inherent risks and information blockers to the demand for new technology and world class patient care, the stakes for a CIO can, quite literally, be life or death. Sarah Hatchett, SVP & CIO at the Cleveland Clinic, unpacks what it takes to balance patient care, data privacy, automation and AI trends, and the demand for technology advancements in healthcare.

2:15 - Personal brands and authenticity in the workplace

5:40 - Unique challenges for CIOs in healthcare

7:22 - Balancing patient care, tech advancements and risk

11:18 - Information blockers: A tradeoff between risk and service

13:58 - The power of an openly shared mission

17:35 - AI trends in healthcare

23:07 - Skills to bet on now and for the future

28:31 - Lessons from failures

The opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of IBM or any other organization or entity.

Your tech strategy as a force multiplier. Realizing the full potential of your organization demands healthy tech habits. Eric Wood - software engineer, former Under Armour guru, current CTO of Cordance, and hardcore weightlifter - talks with Ann about transformation strategies, customizing solutions with AI and achieving goals thanks to an athlete's mindset.

0:38 - Professional arcs and the community you build

2:39 - Bringing the athlete mindset to work

5:12 - Progressive overload: What athletes know about successful transformations

9:07 - Transformations at large-scale companies vs private equity owned companies

15:36 - AI, data and the solutions clients actually need

24:17 - AI customizations: when to say yes and when to say no

26:26 - Water cooler lessons and bringing your whole self to work

The opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of IBM or any other organization or entity.

The Transformation Venn Diagram: Strategy, Implement, Operate. When it comes to transformation, Shakespeare’s rule of three rings true. There are three parts of a transformer’s Venn diagram that seem consistent across technologies and industries: Strategy, implement, operate.

In this episode of Transformers, two guests from Deloitte Consulting - Jag Bandla and Ayo Odusote – discuss how this synergy of strategy, technology and skills helps enterprise clients achieve business transformation goals. Hear their thoughts on the latest trends – from what’s new to what’s constant – and what it all means at a human level.

The opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of IBM or any other organization or entity.