Best Dean Guida Podcasts (2025)

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36 - Terry Ziemniak: Don’t Let Your AI Be the Office Snitch: Keeping Data Safe in the Age of Generative AI 24:26

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3h ago24:26

24:26

In this episode of AI & Data Driven Leadership, Dean Guida speaks to the Fractional CISO and Partner at TechCXO, Terry Ziemniak. Terry discusses how small and mid-sized companies can meet stringent security requirements when selling to large organizations, the risks of data leakage with generative AI tools, and the importance of governance, framewo…

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Kickstarting SaaS Pricing with Fynn Glover, CEO of Schematic 45:45

20h ago45:45

45:45

Dan Balcauski speaks with Fynn Glover, co-founder and CEO of Schematic, about his extensive journey from pursuing professional soccer to founding several successful companies, including Schematic. Fynn shares insights into the importance of flexible pricing and billing strategies in SaaS, highlighting the complex relationship between engineering an…

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35 - Benjamin Filip: Unleashing the Power of AI: A Data-Driven Revolution in Marketing 42:32

9d ago42:32

42:32

In this episode of AI & Data Driven Leadership, Dean Guida speaks to the Director of Analytics at Merkle, Benjamin Filip. Benjamin shares real-world examples, including a telecom project that doubled marketing ROI, and highlights AI’s strengths in automating tasks but stresses the need for human expertise. The conversation covers AI’s limitations, …

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Why Ignoring Everyone is the Key to Success with Kaveh Rostampor, CEO of Planhat 36:37

8d ago36:37

36:37

Host Dan Balcauski speaks with Kaveh Rostampor, CEO and co-founder of Planhat, a customer platform designed to help businesses acquire, grow, service, and retain customers. Kaveh shares insights from his journey in scaling Planhat, emphasizing the importance of bootstrapping, maintaining a clean cap table, and creating an expectation document to en…

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34 - Yemi Oluseun: Sustainable Growth in Fintech: Unlocking the Power of Retention 30:27

14d ago30:27

30:27

In this episode of AI & Data Driven Leadership, Dean Guida speaks to the Growth and Transformation Programme Director and Speaker at The Change Hive, Yemi Oluseun. Yemi shares her five-pillar retention framework, discusses the role of AI and data analytics in optimizing customer journeys, and explains how she supports VC and PE-backed firms with sy…

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How to Organize Chaos with Chris Ronzio, CEO of Trainual 45:53

15d ago45:53

45:53

Host Dan Balcauski speaks with Chris Ronzio, the founder and CEO of Trainual. Chris discusses Trainual's rapid growth, his insightful philosophy on chaos in business, and the crucial role of process documentation in scaling a company. He shares compelling stories, including Trainual's marketing collaboration with Montel Jordan and investments from …

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33 - Jake Schaefer: Leading Through Tech Change: The Balance of Empathy and Pragmatism 34:31

21d ago34:31

34:31

In this episode of AI & Data Driven Leadership, Dean Guida speaks to the Founder and CEO at Renewed Minds Consulting, Jake Schaefer. Jake discusses the psychological challenges leaders face, including loneliness, resistance to change, and the need for authentic leadership. He explores practical strategies for managing organizational change, fosteri…

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32 - Jason Penkethman: From Paperwork to Productivity: Transforming Trades with AI Innovation 37:17

28d ago37:17

37:17

In this episode of AI & Data Driven Leadership, Dean Guida speaks to the Chief Product and Technology Officer at Simpro Group, Jason Penkethman. Jason discusses how AI-driven tools are streamlining administrative tasks for technicians, improving data quality, and enhancing operational efficiency. He highlights the importance of user trust, human ov…

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31 - Alexander Blinov: Building Better Products: The Role of AI in Understanding Customer Needs 27:32

1M ago27:32

27:32

In this episode of AI & Data Driven Leadership, Dean Guida speaks to the CPO at Zendrop, Alexander Blinov. Alexander discusses how AI powers features like store building, product description optimization, translation, ad copy generation, and customer support. He shares insights on managing product teams, prioritizing customer needs, and leveraging …

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30 - Patrick Thean: Breaking the Cycle of Inaction: Establishing Effective Rhythms for Business Success 27:21

1M ago27:21

27:21

In this episode of AI & Data Driven Leadership, Dean Guida speaks to the Co-Founder at Rhythm Systems, Patrick Thean. Patrick shares his journey from early success at Oracle and founding a top-ranked software company to helping CEOs overcome execution challenges. He introduces his “Think, Plan, Do” Rhythm methodology, emphasizing disciplined strate…

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29 - Tom Gegax: The Realities of Being a CEO: Challenges, Ethics, and the Human Element with the Gramercy Fund and Confessions 35:06

2M ago35:06

35:06

In this episode of AI & Data Driven Leadership, Dean Guida speaks to Tom Gegax, the Chairman at the Gramercy Fund, and Executive Producer and Co-Director with Confessions of a CEO. Tom discusses his documentary Confessions of a CEO, highlighting the need for transparency, accountability, and balancing profit with social responsibility. He explores …

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28 - Nuri Cankaya: Unlocking the Future: The Intersection of Quantum Computing and AI Explained 50:07

2M ago50:07

50:07

In this episode of AI & Data Driven Leadership, Dean Guida speaks to the Vice President of Commercial Marketing at Intel, Nuri Cankaya. Nuri shares insights on quantum breakthroughs, the challenges of AI training data, and the transformative potential of combining quantum computing with AI. He also explores open-source AI models, the importance of …

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27 - Ron Bonnstetter: From Gut Feelings to Brain Waves: The Science Behind Our Choices 38:43

3M ago38:43

38:43

In this episode of AI & Data Driven Leadership, Dean Guida speaks to the Senior VP of Research and Development, and Executive Director of The Mind Science Center at Target Training International Success Insights, Ron Bonnstetter. Ron discusses his research on brain imaging, decision-making, and the emotional factors influencing our choices. He expl…

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26 - Anthony Franco AI and Entrepreneurship: Balancing Innovation with Practicality in a Competitive Landscape 27:34

3M ago27:34

27:34

In this episode of AI & Data Driven Leadership, Dean Guida speaks to the Managing Partner of AI First Principles, Anthony Franco. Anthony shares lessons from building and exiting multiple businesses, discusses the realities and hype of AI in entrepreneurship, and explores how to operationalize AI using frameworks like First Principles and the Wiser…

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25 - Ulrik Lehrskov-Schmidt: Pricing for Profit: Strategies to Maximize Customer Value and Drive Revenue 44:14

3M ago44:14

44:14

In this episode of AI & Data Driven Leadership, Dean Guida speaks to the Senior Pricing Advisor and CEO of WillingnessToPay, Ulrik Lehrskov-Schmidt. Ulrik discusses the impact of pricing strategies on business growth. Ulrik shares insights from his experience with companies like Microsoft, emphasizing value-based pricing, customer understanding, an…

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24 - Robert Douglass: Harnessing the Power of Community: The Future of Open Source Marketing 28:57

4M ago28:57

28:57

In this episode of AI & Data Driven Leadership, Dean Guida speaks to the Entrepreneur in Residence at Open Strategy Partners, Robert Douglass. Robert explains how using open source tools, sharing resources, and engaging with open source communities can drive innovation and cost savings. He introduces the Model Context Protocol (MCP), a new framewor…

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23 - Ivan Vislavskiy: Adapting to Change: How AI is Transforming Digital Marketing and SEO Strategies 28:53

4M ago28:53

28:53

In this episode of AI & Data Driven Leadership, Dean Guida speaks to the CEO at Comrade Digital Marketing Agency, Ivan Vislavskiy. Ivan explores the shift from traditional SEO to AI-integrated strategies like geo generative engine optimization. Ivan shares insights on tracking key performance indicators (KPIs), cost analysis, and the importance of …

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22 - Juhan Sonin: Designing Tomorrow: How AI is Shaping the Future of Creativity and Education 38:54

4M ago38:54

38:54

In this episode of AI & Data Driven Leadership, Dean Guida speaks to the Director of GoInvo, Juhan Sonin. Juhan discuss the intersection of design, technology, and AI's impact on software development and education. He explores AI's role in enhancing creativity and critical thinking, emphasizing the need for human insight alongside machine efficienc…

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21 - Dan Balcauski: Pricing Strategies and AI: What Every SaaS CEO Needs to Know! 29:54

4M ago29:54

29:54

In this episode of AI & Data Driven Leadership, Dean Guida speaks to the Founder and Chief Pricing Officer of Product Tranquility, Dan Balcauski. Dan shares his journey from software engineering to product management and how he uses AI to automate tasks like podcasting and guest recruitment. He emphasizes the importance of documenting processes bef…

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20 - David G. Ewing: The Entrepreneur’s Playbook: Combining Strategy, Execution, and AI for Growth 37:11

5M ago37:11

37:11

In this episode of AI & Data Driven Leadership, Dean Guida speaks to the CEO of Content Lion, David G. Ewing. David discusses his entrepreneurial journey and the transformative role of AI in business. David shares insights on enhancing customer experiences and effective content management. He emphasizes the concept of the "atomic unit" in business,…

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19 - Zack Urlocker: Scaling Smart: How to Avoid Common Pitfalls in the Tech Industry 45:13

5M ago45:13

45:13

In this episode of AI & Data Driven Leadership, Dean Guida speaks to the Chief Operating Officer of Crescendo, Zack Urlocker. Zack shares insights from his career at companies like Borland, MySQL, Zendesk, Duo Security, and Crescendo. Zack covers key lessons on scaling businesses, achieving product-market fit, and navigating innovation in establish…

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18 - Laura Patterson: AI and Customer Experience: The Dynamic Duo for Business Success 35:55

5M ago35:55

35:55

In this episode of AI & Data Driven Leadership, Dean Guida speaks to the President of VisionEdge Marketing, Laura Patterson. Laura, with over two decades of experience, emphasizes the need for a customer-first approach, leveraging data and AI to create value. She explores practical strategies for maintaining customer focus, the role of AI in enhanc…

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17 - Chad Prinkey: How Constructive Feedback Transforms Leadership in the Construction Industry 30:45

6M ago30:45

30:45

In this episode of AI & Data Driven Leadership, Dean Guida speaks to the Founder and CEO of Well Built Construction Consulting, Chad Prinkey. Chad discusses the challenges in the construction industry, such as low profit margins and talent shortages, and how AI and data can transform operations. Chad emphasizes the importance of financial transpare…

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16 - Ravi Sawhney: Designing the Future: How Human-Centered Design Transforms User Experiences 30:53

6M ago30:53

30:53

In this episode of AI & Data Driven Leadership, Dean Guida speaks to the CEO and Founder of RKS Design, Ravi Sawhney. Ravi shares his background, highlighting his work at Xerox PARC and the founding of Aakash Design. Ravi introduces his methodology, psycho aesthetics, which integrates tools like personas and user journeys to enhance design processe…

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15 - Robert Indries: Unlocking Business Potential: The Art of Balancing AI and Authenticity 40:12

6M ago40:12

40:12

In this episode of AI & Data Driven Leadership, Dean Guida speaks to the Chairman of the Board at Robert Indries Holdings, Robert Indries. Robert shares his approach to mergers and acquisitions (M&A), strategies for identifying product-market fit, and the importance of partnerships in business growth. He emphasizes the role of AI and automation in …

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14 - Ralph Groce: The Role of AI in Transforming Angel Investing and Supporting Diverse Talent 57:18

6M ago57:18

57:18

In this episode of AI & Data Driven Leadership, Dean Guida speaks to the President and COO of Scroobious, Ralph Groce. Scroobious aims to connect angel investors with underrepresented early-stage founders, particularly women and people of color. Ralph highlights the challenges these founders face in accessing venture capital and the critical role o…

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13 - Tyler Jewell: Insights on AI, Licensing, and Customer Engagement Strategies 40:32

6M ago40:32

40:32

In this episode of AI & Data Driven Leadership, Dean Guida speaks to the CEO and President of Akka, Tyler Jewell. Tyler shares Akka's journey from a developer toolkit to a comprehensive platform for building concurrent and distributed systems. He highlights the challenges faced, including financial struggles and licensing model changes, and the str…

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12 - Gabriel Lopez: Why Human Expertise is Still Essential in the Age of AI 28:29

7M ago28:29

28:29

In this episode of AI & Data Driven Leadership, Dean Guida speaks to the CEO and Co-Founder of OrangeLoops, Gabriel Lopez. Gabriel shares his journey from software engineering to entrepreneurship, highlighting the importance of self-care in leadership. He discusses OrangeLoops' shift to specialized studios for UX, QA, cloud, and R&D, enhancing thei…

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Driving Growth in Private Equity-backed SaaS with Jim McGinnis, CEO of Vanco 38:21

7M ago38:21

38:21

Dan Balcauski speaks with Jim McGinnis, the CEO of Vanco, a software and payments provider for faith groups, schools, and community organizations. Jim shares his extensive experience scaling SaaS businesses, including his success at MyCase, where he doubled the business in 18 months. They discuss challenges in convincing different customer segments…

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11 - Simon Nynens: Mentorship, Trust, and AI: Building the Future of Leadership Together 41:36

7M ago41:36

41:36

In this episode of AI & Data Driven Leadership, Dean Guida speaks to the CEO of NYNENS, Simon Nynens. Simon shares his journey from leading a public company to teaching and coaching CEOs. Simon emphasizes the importance of intentionality in leadership, advising leaders to maintain clarity and purpose in their actions. He discusses the impact of AI …

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Making Business Interesting and Successful with Matt Lhoumeau, CEO of Concord 42:26

7M ago42:26

42:26

Dan Balcauski speaks with Matt Lhoumeau, Co-founder and CEO of Concord, about the journey of building a leading contract management platform. Matt shares his experiences from moving to the US with limited resources to creating a successful SaaS business. They discuss pivotal moments, such as dropping out of high school and entering prestigious Fren…

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10 - Ohad Greenshpan: Enhancing Customer Experience: The Power of Predictive Analytics in E-Commerce 46:35

7M ago46:35

46:35

In this episode of AI & Data Driven Leadership, Dean Guida speaks to the Co-Founder and CTO of Wandz.ai, Ohad Greenshpan. Ohad discusses the evolution of his company, highlighting its innovative CX platform that uses predictive models to understand and enhance customer behavior. He shares a case study with Abercrombie & Fitch, demonstrating signifi…

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Riding the Opportunity Wave with Rytis Lauris, CEO of Omnisend 39:05

7M ago39:05

39:05

Dan Balcauski speaks with Rytis Lauris, Co-founder and CEO of Omnisend. They discuss how Rytis bootstrapped Omnisend to $50 million ARR, the challenges of scaling during rapid market changes, and the strategies Omnisend employed to maintain and grow its customer base. Rytis shares insights on the importance of customer communication, the balance be…

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9 - Richard Blank: Empathy Over Algorithms: The Future of Customer Service 48:44

7M ago48:44

48:44

In this episode of AI & Data Driven Leadership, Dean Guida speaks to the President and Bilingual Telemarketer Trainer of Costa Rica's Call Center, Richard Blank. Richard emphasizes the irreplaceable value of human empathy and effective communication in customer interactions. He shares insights on hiring practices, training methods, and the importan…

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Unlocking Human Potential with Jim Morrisroe, CEO of 15Five 37:59

7M ago37:59

37:59

Dan Balcauski speaks with Jim Morrisroe, CEO of 15Five, on the SaaS Scaling Secrets podcast. Jim shares his journey from enterprise sales leader to CEO, emphasizing transformation moments, including his tenure at Zimbra and overcoming personal challenges. They discuss the importance of data-driven, targeted employee engagement, managing multi-gener…

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8 - Adam Povlitz: Leveraging Technology and Training: A Unique Approach to Franchise Success 30:46

8M ago30:46

30:46

In this episode of AI & Data Driven Leadership, Dean Guida speaks to the CEO and President of Anago Cleaning Systems, Adam Povlitz. Adam explains how the structure, involving corporate offices, master franchisees, and unit franchisees, allows for specialization and efficiency. The conversation highlights Anago's use of proprietary technology like C…

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Breaking Through Growth Plateaus with Vivek Bhaskaran, CEO of QuestionPro 42:32

7M ago42:32

42:32

Dan Balcauski speaks with Vivek Bhaskaran, founder and CEO of QuestionPro. Vivek shares how he bootstrapped QuestionPro from zero to $32 million in ARR, serving over 20 million users without raising external capital. They discuss Vivek's entrepreneurial journey, from selling cigarettes in Russia to building a successful portfolio of companies. Vive…

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7 - Nat Burgess: The Future of Work: Embracing AI While Cultivating Human Creativity 41:54

8M ago41:54

41:54

In this episode of AI & Data Driven Leadership, Dean Guida speaks to the Managing Partner of TechStrat, Nat Burgess. Dean and Nat, who have known each other for 30 years since meeting at a tech seminar in New York, discuss the evolution of technology companies and the impact of AI and data on business growth. Nat, with a background in investment ba…

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When Grit Isn’t Enough with Dean Guida, CEO of Infragistics 37:51

8M ago37:51

37:51

Dan Balcauski speaks with Dean Guida, founder of Infragistics, about his journey from Wall Street side project to a global leader in UX development tools and his latest venture, Slingshot. They discuss key transformative moments, the principles behind sustainable tech companies, and the critical importance of culture in scaling businesses. Dean sha…

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6 - John Karsant: AI Tools and Techniques for the Modern Sales Development Agency 29:14

8M ago29:14

29:14

In this episode of AI & Data Driven Leadership, Dean Guida speaks to the Founder and CEO of LevelUp Leads, John Karsant. John discusses various facets of lead generation, the impact of technology and AI on sales, and effective hiring practices. John shares his journey from independent lead generation to managing a remote team and emphasizes the imp…

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Plugging the Revenue Leaks in SaaS Pricing with Griff Parry, CEO of m3ter 44:26

8M ago44:26

44:26

Dan Balcauski speaks with Griff Perry, co-founder of M3ter, about the challenges of revenue leakage in SaaS companies. Griff, a two-time founder who sold his first startup to Amazon, discusses his journey and the evolution of his career from strategy consultant to SaaS entrepreneur. They explore the complexities of monetization, the importance of i…

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5 - David Hersh: The Importance of Leadership and Human Connection in a Tech-Driven Era 26:03

8M ago26:03

26:03

In this episode of AI & Data Driven Leadership, Dean Guida speaks to the General Partner of Metamorph Partners, David Hersh. David shares insights from his experiences with Jive Software and Andreessen Horowitz, discussing why companies often get "stuck" due to rapid growth pressures and unrealistic targets. He emphasizes the importance of focusing…

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Ditching Traditional SaaS Playbooks with Sri Ganesan, CEO of Rocketlane 41:53

8M ago41:53

41:53

Dan Balcauski interviews Sri Ganesan, the co-founder and CEO of Rocketlane. They discuss the founding journey of Rocketlane, a top-rated platform for customer onboarding and implementation. Sri shares his background, from his early interest in math and coding to scaling FreshWorks following the acquisition of his first startup, Konotor. They explor…

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2 - Heinz Vieluf: How to Foster a Culture of Data Sharing in Your Organization 24:23

9M ago24:23

24:23

In this episode of AI & Data Driven Leadership, Dean Guida speaks to the President of Cibao Meat Products, Heinz Vieluf. Heinz shares his journey in transforming his family’s salami manufacturing business into a data-driven organization. He discusses leveraging technology and real-time data to enhance decision-making and drive growth. Heinz also hi…

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Harnessing the Power of Usage-based Pricing with Adam Howatson, CEO of LogiSense 1:14:39

8M ago1:14:39

1:14:39

Dan Balcauski speaks with Adam Howatson, CEO of LogiSense. They discuss Adam's extensive journey in software, from founding his first company in high school to leading LogiSense. The conversation delves into the complexities of usage-based and outcome-based monetization, which LogiSense specializes in, and how it aids major enterprises. Adam shares…

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Growing Pains and SaaS Gains with Avi Freedman, CEO of Kentik 39:14

9M ago39:14

39:14

Dan Balcauski hosts Avi Freedman, Co-founder and CEO of Kentik, on SaaS Scaling Secrets. They discuss Kentik's evolution under Avi's leadership as a network intelligence platform, his extensive background in recurring revenue, and lessons learned from his entrepreneurial journey. Avi recounts his career from founding the first internet service prov…

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4 - Pete Sacco: Why Data Literacy is the Secret Sauce for Modern Business Leaders 44:21

9M ago44:21

44:21

In this episode of AI & Data Driven Leadership, Dean Guida speaks to the President and Founder of Inspirica IT Solutions, Pete Sacco. Pete discusses the challenges CEOs face in becoming data-driven, such as data quality, accessibility, and literacy. Pete emphasizes the importance of integrating data into decision-making processes and having a clear…

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3 - Bethany Schuttinga, PhD & Jon Neitzel: Building Trust in AI 29:10

9M ago29:10

29:10

In this episode of AI & Data Driven Leadership, Dean Guida speaks to the partner, Founder, and Managing Partner Bethany Schuttinga and Jon Neitzel. Bethany and Jon explore the integration of data and AI in organizational decision-making, emphasizing the importance of data literacy and change management. Jon discusses his journey in asset management…

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Innovating in a Regulated Market with Mike Meng, CEO of Stellar Health 37:49

10M ago37:49

37:49

Dan Balcauski speaks with Mike Meng, CEO and Co-founder of Stellar Health. They discuss how Stellar Health is revolutionizing value-based care in the healthcare industry through innovative SaaS solutions. Mike shares his journey from a healthcare investor to an entrepreneur, his transformative moments, and the challenges faced in scaling in a regul…

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Leading an AI-powered Turnaround with Avi Kedmi, CEO of SysAid 43:16

10M ago43:16

43:16

Dan Balcauski sits down with Avi Kedmi, CEO of SysAid, to explore Avi's remarkable journey from a Java developer to a seasoned tech leader. Avi shares insights on driving a 22-year-old company through AI-driven transformation while maintaining growth and profitability. The discussion delves into the importance of a clear vision and mission, the str…