Shows
Behind the GrowthZamina Walji on Blending Innovation with Operational DisciplineZamina Walji, VP Growth Businesses at EQ Bank, joins host Imran Mian on Behind the Growth to talk about how she builds scalable systems, accountable teams, and a culture of innovation inside one of Canada’s most forward-thinking digital banks. Drawing from her experience across consulting, retail, and financial services, Zamina explains how customer obsession remains her constant growth driver. She describes the balance between structure and speed, how accountability, process, and standardization enable agility rather than slow it down, and why involving risk and compliance early helps teams move faster with confidence. The conversation dive...
2026-01-2823 min
Behind the GrowthJyoti Bansal on the Builder's Playbook for Repeatable SuccessJyoti Bansal, Founder & CEO of Harness, Traceable, and Unusual Ventures, joins host Mudassar Malik to discuss the ideas and lessons that have shaped each of his companies. He begins with the transition from engineer to founder, describing how a “burning passion” to solve a specific engineering challenge pushed him toward building a product, and ultimately a business. Jyoti also shares the investor question that led him to quit his job and commit to AppDynamics, along with the early rejections that forced him to refine his pitch and validate the problem. From there, he explains why product excellence is on...
2026-01-1425 min
Behind the GrowthMohammad Yousaf on the First 90 Days of TransformationMohammad Yousaf, Chief of Operations and Technology at National Mortgage Insurance Corporation, joins host Mudassar Malik to discuss how trust, alignment, and disciplined technology choices drive lasting transformation in financial services. Mohammad traces his path from telecom engineering into banking and mortgage finance, explaining why he moved from building technology to shaping business strategy. He highlights how lessons from team sports shaped his leadership style, where trust and alignment aren’t just cultural values but the foundation for effective execution. The conversation turns to transformation in operations and technology. Mohammad cautions against chasing trends and stre...
2025-10-0935 min
Behind the GrowthRohit Prabhakar on Evolving From AI Add-Ons to AI-Native SystemsRohit Prabhakar, Global Head of Experiences & Capabilities at Visa, joins Mudassar Malik on Behind the Growth to explore how leaders can move from AI add-ons to AI-native marketing ecosystems that deliver hyper-personalized experiences at scale. With a career spanning technology, product, and marketing, Rohit grounds the discussion in two priorities: customer obsession and business enablement.He outlines a two-track AI adoption model: use AI as a partner to incrementally improve existing systems, while also reimagining processes from the ground up to remove legacy constraints. At the core is unified, high-quality data, breaking down silos so machine learning...
2025-09-1831 min
Behind the GrowthValerie McMurtry on Corporate Partnerships Creating Social ValueValerie McMurtry, President & CEO of Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada, joins Mudassar Malik on Behind the Growth to discuss how purpose-driven leadership, data, and partnerships are reshaping outcomes for children and youth in care. Drawing from her experience leading Canada’s largest charity in this space, Valerie explains how aligning mission, strategy, and innovation drives measurable change. The conversation begins with Valerie’s career journey from corporate marketing to the nonprofit sector. She shares how her upbringing shaped her focus on solving complex social issues and why she pursued work with deeper purpose. This background informs her lea...
2025-09-0438 min
Behind the GrowthBrian Shickluna on How Legacy Mindset Limits Tech TeamsBrian Shickluna, Director of Software Engineering at Staples Canada, joins Mudassar Malik on Behind the Growth to unpack the leadership principles and organizational design strategies that have shaped his career. Drawing on experience from startups to large enterprises, Brian shares what it really takes to build and scale high-performing engineering teams. The conversation begins with Brian’s reflections on his career path and how working across industries taught him the value of seeing beyond technical expertise. He explains why leaders need a breadth of perspective to guide teams effectively, especially as they move from hands-on roles to bro...
2025-08-1428 min
Behind the GrowthNaresh Babu on When Legacy Cores Become Black BoxesNaresh Babu, AI Technology Leader and Digital Transformation Specialist at mobileLIVE, joins Mudassar Malik to unpack the tough decisions behind core banking modernization. Together, they explore how leaders can balance customer demands, operational resilience, and the rising costs of legacy systems. Naresh shares how his early career as a COBOL developer shaped his understanding of resilience and why banks today must rethink their technology stacks to stay competitive. He highlights the primary drivers for modernization, including talent shortages, escalating OPEX, and shifting customer expectations, and contrasts how traditional and digital-first banks experience these pressures differently. Th...
2025-07-3028 min
Behind the GrowthZahid Salman on Scaling Enterprise Innovation with PurposeZahid Salman, President and CEO at GreenShield, joins Imran Mian on Behind the Growth to unpack the strategy behind building Canada’s first payer-provider platform, and how a nonprofit model is enabling innovation at enterprise scale. Zahid opens with the personal experiences that shaped his purpose-driven approach to leadership and shares how he moved from a traditional actuarial career into healthcare transformation. He breaks down GreenShield’s initial hypothesis: that Canadians would benefit from a single organization delivering both insurance and care. He further sheds light into how they moved early, acquiring eight companies in 18 months to accel...
2025-07-1625 min
Behind the GrowthJanet Sherlock on Simplifying Org Complexities for Better ResultsJanet Sherlock, Founder & CEO at Org.Works, joins Mudassar Malik on Behind the Growth to challenge how most companies approach transformation, org design, AI strategy, and why their structures are often built to fail. Drawing from her executive experience and doctoral research, Janet breaks down what she calls “the hidden architecture” that shapes performance across every level of an enterprise. The conversation starts with a critique of role bloat at the top, like Chief Digital Officer, Chief Innovation Officer, Chief AI Officer, and how overlapping mandates erode clarity and accountability. Janet outlines how these roles are often a sym...
2025-07-0331 min
Behind the GrowthHanni Doch on Why Big-Bang Transformations FailHanni Doch, VP of Digital Technology, joins Mudassar Malik on Behind the Growth to explore what enterprise transformation really looks like when it's done sustainably, incrementally, and with an eye toward value—not buzzwords. With experience spanning telecom, insurance, banking, and retail, Hanni brings a grounded view into why so many digital initiatives fall short and how leaders can avoid those traps. He opens with a sharp critique of the “big bang” approach to transformation, arguing that long, all-encompassing projects often fail to deliver value. Instead, he lays out a case for incremental change, focusing on areas where t...
2025-06-1223 min
Behind the GrowthCharu Pujari on Architecting Enterprise Systems that Scale with CustomersCharu Pujari, Vice President of Engineering and Data Science at Loblaw Digital, joins Imran Mian on Behind the Growth to break down what it really takes to architect enterprise systems that move fast, scale reliably, and stay relentlessly focused on the customer.Opening the conversation with insights into his early shift from data science into engineering, Charu shares hard-won lessons on engineering for scale. Having learned the hard way that scale cannot be an afterthought, Charu emphasizes why performance and reliability can’t be added later, and how designing for agility up front enables real-time experimentation across di...
2025-05-2935 min
Behind the GrowthAkua Mensah on Why Soft Skills Aren’t a ‘Nice to Have’ AnymoreAkua Mensah, Senior Director of Process Engineering & Business Enablement at CIBC, joins host Mudassar Malik on this episode to explore the real drivers of transformation—and why soft skills aren’t just a “nice to have,” but a strategic necessity. Drawing from her work leading process design, service improvement, and enterprise change across banking and consulting, Akua brings a grounded perspective on how large organizations actually move forward.The conversation begins with how Akua’s team centres the customer’s “why” in service design, data, and Lean Six Sigma programs across the bank. She shares how transformation work must balanc...
2025-05-1437 min
Behind the GrowthSid Kumar on an Integrated Go-To-Market SystemSid Kumar, Head of Global GTM Strategy & Planning at Databricks, joins host Mudassar Malik on Behind the Growth to unpack what it really takes to design and run a connected go-to-market engine—one that aligns across marketing, sales, customer success, and operations, from first touch to renewal. Sid shares hard-earned lessons from leading GTM functions at CA Technologies, Amazon, HubSpot, and now Databricks. He walks through what it means to think of go-to-market as a closed-loop system instead of a linear process, and why shared language, unified metrics, and functional accountability across the full customer lifecycle are non...
2025-04-3028 min
Behind the GrowthHamza Qamar on Balancing Product Innovation with User Value & Business UrgencyHamza Qamar, Senior Director of Product, Innovation & Design at mobileLIVE, joins Mudassar Malik on Behind the Growth to break down what it really takes to lead product innovation inside enterprise environments—and why technical talent alone doesn’t cut it. Starting with a story from his early days as a software engineer, Hamza explains how a single round of informal user conversations reshaped not only a feature, but his entire approach to product leadership. Throughout the conversation, Hamza lays out a practical framework for managing uncertainty across the product lifecycle—balancing experimentation, iteration, and scale by askin...
2025-04-1722 min
Behind the GrowthJustin Bundick on Embedding AI Into Daily Decision-MakingJustin Bundick, Managing Director of AI and Data Transformation at Southwest Airlines, joins host Imran Mian to explore the real-world complexities of scaling AI in one of the world’s most operationally intense industries. With a focus on turning experimentation into enterprise impact, Justin outlines what most organizations overlook when moving beyond pilots—highlighting the critical role of infrastructure, data readiness, governance, and change management.He shares the story behind the Leading Indicators Alert Tool (LIAT), a predictive system that uses hundreds of real-time and historical data points to forecast operational disruptions 24 hours in advance. Built on Sout...
2025-04-0230 min
Behind the GrowthVipul Lalka on What’s Driving Digital Adoption in BankingVipul Lalka, Vice President of Canadian Personal Banking Digital Transformation and Strategy at TD, joins Behind the Growth to discuss how technology is reshaping banking. He breaks down the challenges and opportunities in driving digital adoption, from modernizing legacy systems to meeting evolving customer expectations.He shares insights on TD’s approach to digital strategy—balancing innovation with security, enhancing customer experiences, and staying ahead in a competitive landscape. Vipul also highlights the role of AI, automation, and data-driven decision-making in shaping the bank’s future. Imran and Vipul dive into the human side of transfo...
2025-03-1935 min
Behind the GrowthShalu Bains on Leading Healthcare with Data-Driven InsightsIn this episode of Behind the Growth, Imran Mian speaks with Shalu Bains, Chief Information and Analytics Officer at Trillium Health Partners, about the vital role of technology and analytics in modern healthcare. Shalu shares how her non-clinical background enables her to drive impactful change through data-driven solutions, emphasizing the importance of understanding client needs and supporting them through technological transitions. She highlights the effectiveness of co-designing solutions and maintaining open communication during large-scale transformations. Shalu discusses how Trillium Health Partners leverages data to understand community health needs, enhance capacity planning, and address health equity gaps. She o...
2025-03-0534 min
Behind the GrowthSaby Waraich on the Pitfalls of Fear-Based ManagementIn this episode of Behind the Growth, host Imran Mian speaks with Saby Waraich, CIO and CISO at Clackamas Community College, about transformative leadership and the evolving role of technology in education. Saby shares his unique leadership framework, CARES (Communicate, Adapt, Relationships, Empathy, Stay Calm), which emphasizes compassion and adaptability in navigating organizational change. He delves into the pitfalls of fear-based management and explains how trust and empowerment drive meaningful transformation. The conversation also explores the intersection of technology and leadership. Saby highlights the accelerating impact of AI and cybersecurity on the education sector, stressing the need f...
2025-02-1936 min
Behind the GrowthHolly Heglin on Scaling AI Solutions in Heavily Regulated IndustriesIn this episode of Behind the Growth, Holly Heglin, Head of AI Product & Strategy at Layer 6 AI discusses AI innovation and operational transformation with host Imran Mian. A seasoned leader in AI strategy and governance, Holly dives into the critical challenges of scaling AI solutions in heavily regulated environments like banking, balancing the need for innovation with stringent governance. She discusses how organizations can address these challenges through agile approaches and strong governance processes to mitigate risks while ensuring business value.Further delving into how her career evolved alongside the expanding AI field, taking on various roles...
2025-02-0628 min
Behind the GrowthDr. Brian Gardner on the Opportunities and Risks of AI in CybersecurityIn this episode of Behind the Growth, Dr. Brian Gardner, Interim CIO for the City of Dallas, discusses cybersecurity and the unique challenges of managing a diverse IT department in the public sector. Drawing from his transition from forensic accounting to IT leadership with host Imran Mian, he details his passion for information security and public service, highlighting the importance of balancing cybersecurity, digital transformation, and AI initiatives within limited budgets. Dr. Gardner shares examples of several successful innovation projects, including implementing a software-defined wide area network and city-wide multi-factor authentication. He emphasizes the need to reduce t...
2025-01-2227 min
Behind the GrowthJulie Lane on Lessons from High-stakes Transformations in FSJulie Lane, Global Head of Ways of Working in Financial Services at AWS, joins host Imran Mian on Behind the Growth to discuss the evolution of financial services. Julie shares insights from her 20-year career, focusing on digital transformation. She notes the shift from branch-first to digital-first banking and the rise of mobile engagement. Julie discusses the complexities of regulations, legacy technology, and customer expectations. She advises a proactive approach to regulatory changes, partnering closely with governance, risk, and compliance teams. She highlights the need to address data hygiene before implementing large-scale AI projects. Julie ad...
2025-01-0933 min
Behind the GrowthDavood Shamsi on Leveraging AI for Business OptimizationIn this episode of Behind the Growth, Davood Shamsi, Executive Director at JPMorganChase, shares his journey from academia to industry in the field of AI and machine learning. Davood discusses the importance of understanding business problems before applying AI solutions. He emphasizes the need to dig deep into the core issues, often uncovering better solutions than initially proposed. He also highlights the value of optimization techniques in refining AI model outputs, using examples from advertising and grocery shopping to illustrate practical applications. Looking to the future, Davood predicts that language models will democratize financial information, ma...
2024-11-0636 min
Behind the GrowthJosé Ignacio Sordo Galarza on The Communication Gap Between IT & BusinessOn this episode of Behind the Growth, host Imran Mian speaks with José Ignacio Sordo Galarza, Founder & Managing Director of CIO Eureka, about his career and insights on bridging the gap between IT and core business functions. José emphasizes that IT professionals often need to better articulate the value of their work in a language understandable to business leaders. He shares his experience in sales early in his career, where he learned the critical skill of communicating effectively with stakeholders and "selling" solutions. This experience proved invaluable when he transitioned to an IT leadership role. He d...
2024-10-3042 min
Behind the GrowthREPLAY: Ujjwal Goel on Centralizing Data Strategies for SuccessIn this episode of Behind the Growth, host Imran Mian engages in an insightful discussion with Ujjwal Goel, Senior Director at Loblaw Companies Limited. Their conversation delves into the crucial role of data strategy within the realm of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Ujjwal underscores the critical importance of a robust data strategy for organizations aiming to harness the full potential of AI and emphasizes that this strategy should seamlessly align with business objectives, forming the bedrock upon which AI and ML initiatives are constructed. The conversation then shifts into the intricacies of data architecture, highlighting the e...
2024-10-2433 min
Behind the GrowthRobert Strickland on Strategic Leadership in Evolving MarketsIn this episode of Behind the Growth, host Mudassar Malik speaks with Robert Strickland, founder and managing director of M37 Ventures, about the evolving landscape of technology, leadership, and innovation. With decades of experience leading technology initiatives across major industries, Strickland shares his insights on how businesses can balance innovation with stability in an ever-changing market. Strickland highlights the importance of hybrid cloud strategies, data centers, and the impact of emerging technologies like AI and machine learning. He also touches on the significance of talent acquisition and the need for organizations to adapt to new ways of w...
2024-10-1633 min
Behind the GrowthChristian Rohrer on Innovation Through Human-Centered DesignCorrection at 3:48: Realtor.com was the #1 real-estate website in the USA and Canada at the time. _______ In this episode of Behind the Growth, Imran Mian celebrates Christian Rohrer, VP of Design at TD Bank, to explore the evolution of user experience (UX) design and its broader impact on the tech industry. Christian reflects on his journey from tech support engineer to leading design teams, emphasizing the importance of understanding the human side of technology. Christian touches on career highlights like his work on the Yahoo! homepage redesign in the early 2000s and l...
2024-10-0922 min
Behind the GrowthAmit Sharma on Navigating Career Transitions in IT & Product ManagementIn this episode of Behind the Growth, host Mudassar Malik interviews Amit Sharma, Vice President of SMB Product and Services at TELUS, about his career transition from IT to product management. Amit provides a detailed look into his strategic process and elaborates on the decision to pursue an MBA to gain new skills and formally transition into a business-focused role.Amit emphasizes that while his background is in IT, many skills, such as planning, execution, and risk management, are directly transferable to product management. He shares the challenges he faced, including the need to build a new...
2024-10-0228 min
Behind the GrowthDavood Shamsi on Leveraging AI for Business OptimizationIn this episode of Behind the Growth, Davood Shamsi, Executive Director at JPMorganChase, shares his journey from academia to industry in the field of AI and machine learning. Davood discusses the importance of understanding business problems before applying AI solutions. He emphasizes the need to dig deep into the core issues, often uncovering better solutions than initially proposed. He also highlights the value of optimization techniques in refining AI model outputs, using examples from advertising and grocery shopping to illustrate practical applications. Looking to the future, Davood predicts that language models will democratize financial information, ma...
2024-09-2637 min
Behind the GrowthAndree Gosselin O’Meara on Home Automation and SustainabilityIn this episode of Behind the Growth, Imran Mian sits down with Andree Gosselin O'Meara, VP of Customer Support at ecobee, to explore her career journey and the transformative projects she has led. Andree shares her experience in customer service, starting from her early days at Xerox to her current role at ecobee, where she has been instrumental in driving digital transformation and enhancing customer experiences. Andree delves into the large-scale initiatives she has overseen, including moving a contact center and implementing advanced tools like Salesforce and Amazon Connect. She emphasizes the importance of embracing new technology a...
2024-09-1829 min
Behind the GrowthGurvinder Gill on The Evolving Landscape of Urban MobilityIn this episode of Behind the Growth, host Imran Mian celebrates Gurvinder Gill, Chief Information and Security Officer at the Toronto Parking Authority. Gurvinder recounts his 22-year career journey, detailing his roles at Longo's, Credit Valley Hospital, and Canada Health Infoway, where he led significant digital transformations. He then dives into his current role, focusing on mobility solutions, customer-centric approaches, and environmental sustainability.Next, Gurvinder highlights the innovative Green P app, which simplifies parking in Toronto, and the future of mobility as a service, including autonomous vehicles and smart city initiatives. He emphasizes the importance of integrating...
2024-09-1130 min
Behind the GrowthVivek Menon on Product Delivery & Operational EffectivenessIn this episode of Behind the Growth, host Mudassar Malik interviews Vivek Menon, VP, Head of DFS Technology at CIBC. The conversation begins with Vivek recounting his early days and the experiences that laid the foundation for his career and professional outlook. Over the last two decades, Vivek has worked on both sides; Technology and Business, and this experience has helped him develop into a collaborative and effective leader. Vivek highlights the challenges associated with managing legacy systems in the financial sector and reminds everyone about the importance of taking calculated risks to achieve digital transformation. He a...
2024-09-0428 min
Behind the GrowthAnna Hannem on Fostering Data Governance and Ethical AIIn this episode of Behind the Growth, host Imran Mian sits down with Anna Hannem, VP of Data and AI Risk at Scotiabank. Anna takes us through her impressive career journey, starting from her early days as a customer service representative and transitioning into project management and data governance roles. She delves into how her unique background in behavioural psychology and project management has been pivotal to her success, especially in building and leading high-performance teams.Anna sheds light on the complexities of data governance and AI risk management within the banking sector. She provides insight into...
2024-08-2134 min
Behind the GrowthFatih Nayebi on Overcoming the Challenges in Implementing AIIn this episode of Behind the Growth, host Imran Mian interviews Fatih Nayebi, Vice President of Data and AI at the ALDO Group. Fatih shares his journey from a technology enthusiast in his childhood to leading AI-driven projects in the retail industry. He highlights his early fascination with computers and AI, and how this passion led him to pursue advanced studies and a career in machine learning and data science. Fatih discusses the significant challenges he has faced in implementing AI solutions, particularly in traditional and slow-paced environments. He emphasizes the importance of starting with small, impactful p...
2024-08-0836 min
Behind the GrowthZeeshan Syed on Building Efficient & Scalable Digital OperationsIn this episode of Behind the Growth, host Imran Mian celebrates Zeeshan Syed, VP Operations Transformation, Data & Automation at RBC. Zeeshan shares his journey from a software engineer in oil and gas to a key player in banking. He emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and adapting to new roles, which has driven his 15-year career at RBC. The conversation steers towards Zeeshan’s discussion of the development of reusable digital capabilities at RBC. These capabilities, such as document automation and data extraction, streamline operations across different banking services, from mortgages to checking accounts. He explains how the...
2024-07-2430 min
Behind the GrowthEdgar Núñez on the Evolving Role of a Chief Data OfficerIn this episode of Behind the Growth, host Imran Mian interviews Edgar Núñez, Chief Data Officer at Coca-Cola FEMSA. Edgar details his transition from the supply chain finance department at P&G to a leading role in data analytics. He shares how his electronics engineering background helped him tackle data reliability issues and drive automation. Edgar recounts the challenges of integrating business intelligence and consumer market knowledge at P&G. He discusses the resistance faced, the loss of team members, and the ultimate success in forming a multi-domain data science organization. The conversation also st...
2024-07-1736 min
Behind the GrowthZain Abbas on Blending Data Science with Business AcumenIn this episode of Behind the Growth, host Imran Mian sits down with Zain Abbas, AI and machine-learning expert and Director of Data Science at Sun Life. Zain shares his journey from academia to the financial sector, highlighting key turning points and challenges, such as transitioning from academia to industry and adapting to the Canadian job market. He emphasizes the importance of stepping out of comfort zones and continuous learning. Zain discusses a notable project involving predictive modeling for financial analyst calls at a bank, where he used NLP and GPT to predict questions. He explains the c...
2024-07-1026 min
Behind the GrowthSimon Tremblay-Larouche on the Unique Challenges and Opportunities in PharmaIn this episode of Behind the Growth, host Imran Mian interviews Simon Tremblay-Larouche, VP of Strategy and Innovation at Sandoz Canada. Simon shares his diverse career journey, beginning as a national junior tennis player and transitioning into engineering before moving into strategic roles across various industries, including banking, insurance, telecom, and pharma. He highlights the importance of strategic thinking and planning in driving business success.Simon discusses the unique challenges and opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry, emphasizing the need for innovation and improved operational efficiency. He explains how his background in different sectors has equipped him with...
2024-07-0335 min
Behind the GrowthKathryn Hume on Balancing People, Processes, and Artificial IntelligenceIn this episode of Behind the Growth, host Imran Mian sits down with Kathryn Hume, VP of Digital Channels Technology at RBC. Kathryn shares her unique career path, blending math, literature, and philosophy, leading her into the field of AI and technology. She discusses the importance of pairing technical knowledge with deep business understanding to apply machine learning effectively.Kathryn highlights the challenges and strategies of integrating AI within RBC, emphasizing the need for strong partnerships between technical experts and business leaders. She explains how Borealis AI, RBC's research institute, focuses on practical solutions, innovative POCs, and...
2024-06-2034 min
Behind the GrowthInanc Cakiroglu on Simple & Clear Business Problems for Effective AIIn this episode of Behind the Growth, Mudassar Malik hosts Inanc Cakiroglu, Director of AI and Analytics Practices at mobileLIVE. Inanc shares his insights on first-principle thinking, a method of breaking down complex problems into basic elements to find innovative solutions, and emphasizes the importance of starting with simple, clear problems and building up from there. Inanc discusses his early career in telecom, highlighting the challenges of data quality and infrastructure in the early 2000s. He explains how advancements in data pipelines, computer power, and open-source libraries have revolutionized AI applications. Inanc also dives into the role o...
2024-06-1330 min
Behind the GrowthNitesh Soni on The Impact of AI on Global PharmaIn this episode of Behind the Growth, host Imran Mian interviews Nitesh Soni, Global AI Solutions Leader at Sanofi. Nitesh sketches the diverse scope of his role as a data science practitioner, and how it enables him to navigate machine learning and AI in driving pharmaceuticals. He also talks about the significance of building a diverse team to meet consumer requirements on a global scale, ensuring that cultural sensitivities are not relegated to the background. While talking about Sanofi’s mindset of collaboration for the ultimate good of the customers, Nitesh also sheds light on the role of...
2024-06-0627 min
Behind the GrowthSuhanniyah Carpenter on Career Growth and Innovation in FinTechIn this episode of Behind the Growth, host Imran Mian interviews Suhanniyah Carpenter, Director of Consumer Banking, Technology Lead at Royal Bank of Canada as she traces her transition from a computer science major to a director. She talks about the tussle between work and starting a family in the minds of young women in the corporate world, and suggests that the latter works out if you maintain your network and make yourself visible. Suhanniyah clears up uncertainties around remote working, stressing upon the benefits of considering your manager your partner in career progression. She talks about f...
2024-05-3027 min
Behind the GrowthMahima Poddar on Purpose-Led Leadership and its ImpactThis episode of Behind the Growth covers the story and insights of Mahima Poddar, Group Head of Personal Banking at Equitable Bank. In conversation with host Imran Mian, Mahima traces her corporate journey that led her to EQ Bank’s digital platform, and eventually to the leadership seat of Personal Banking at the Bank. She considers networking and diverse reading to be the hallmark of creativity, and talks about its significance in chalking out intersections between distinct domains.Mahima also shares Equitable Bank’s philosophy of prioritizing intellect, professional energy, and cultural adaptability over experience of the nuan...
2024-05-2234 min
Behind the GrowthHasan Jafri on Enterprise Architecture and Engineering ExcellenceIn this episode of Behind the Growth, host Mudassar Malik chats with Hasan Jafri, VP Engineering, Digital Business Solutions at TELUS. As they explore Hasan's extensive background, starting from his early days in Northern Virginia to influential roles in various major corporations, Hasan talks about his time at companies like IBM and Citibank, focusing on his experiences in handling large-scale operations and cloud-based initiatives. Detailing his transition to TELUS and their strategic shift to a more integrated, API-driven approach, Hasan emphasizes the importance of enterprise architecture and engineering excellence in driving successful digital transformations. He also elaborates o...
2024-05-0929 min
Behind the GrowthSabih Ahmed on Mastering Conversational AI for BusinessIn this episode of Behind the Growth, host Imran Mian welcomes Sabih Ahmed from Scotiabank, who shares his decade-long experience in deploying conversational AI. Sabih emphasizes the importance of aligning conversational AI applications with customer needs over mere cost-cutting. He explains how these technologies should focus on high-volume, low-complexity tasks to optimize operational efficiency. Sabih also discusses the critical steps involved in developing conversational AI from identifying suitable use cases to securing executive buy-in. He stresses the need for clear business objectives and robust testing to avoid potential pitfalls, using real-world examples to illustrate common challenges and...
2024-05-0237 min
Behind the GrowthMike Hamilton on Shaping the Next Wave of HealthcareIn this episode of Behind the Growth, Mike Hamilton, President of GE HealthCare Canada, explores the critical role of AI and digital transformation in the healthcare sector. He discusses GE HealthCare's innovative solutions, including AI-powered technology like True Fidelity in CT scanning, which revolutionizes cardiac care by providing clinicians with detailed real-time heart images. This technological leap enhances image clarity, leading to more accurate diagnoses and better patient outcomes. As the conversation continues, Mike elaborates on the broader implications of digital transformation in healthcare, pointing out its challenges and opportunities. He discusses the Canadian healthcare system's progress...
2024-04-1828 min
Behind the GrowthMatt Collins on the Transformational Journey of a Cloud Services LeaderIn this episode of Behind the Growth, host Imran Mian chats with Matt Collins, Chief Commercial Operations Officer at Calix, a company that transitioned from a traditional networking equipment provider to a cloud services leader. Matt shares insights into how Calix shifted from hardware to software, detailing the strategic vision, challenges, and the importance of meeting customer needs. As the episode progresses, Matt talks about the leadership and collaboration strategies at Calix. He highlights the necessity of reskilling the workforce, hiring new talent with software and cloud expertise, and building a culture of transparency, dynamic tension, and...
2024-04-0442 min
Behind the GrowthAaron Cheng on Bridging Digital Innovation and Pharmacy CareIn this episode of Behind the Growth, Imran Mian hosts Aaron Cheng, VP of Digital Health at Shoppers Drug Mart, to dive into the transformative power of digital health in pharmacy care. Aaron shares his journey from a career in engineering and digital products, through various startups, to his current role. He emphasizes the significant impact digital solutions like the PC Health app are making in Canadian healthcare, improving patient care and streamlining healthcare delivery. Aaron discusses the challenges and opportunities in integrating digital health into traditional pharmacy models. He highlights the importance of a patient-centric approach...
2024-03-2026 min
Behind the GrowthAndrea De Mauro on The Human Element in the Age of GenAIIn this episode of Behind the Growth, Imran Mian engages with Andrea De Mauro, a renowned Data & Analytics Leader, Author, and Executive Advisor, to explore the intricacies of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly Generative AI, and its human-centric challenges. Andrea shares insights from his extensive experience, emphasizing the importance of ethical considerations and the human element in the development and implementation of AI technologies.The conversation delves into the critical role of corporate culture and talent cultivation in driving innovation while ensuring that technology serves humanity's best interests. Andrea shares successful strategies for fostering a culture that embraces...
2024-03-1424 min
Behind the GrowthRamzi Rahbani on Transforming the Travel ExperienceIn this episode of Behind the Growth, Imran Mian hosts Ramzi Rahbani, VP of Product & Customer Platforms at FlightHub, to discuss digital transformation within the travel industry. With extensive experience in steering digital transformation across industries, Ramzi shares insights from both the banking and travel sectors, drawing parallels between the two and revealing how digital innovation is reshaping customer experiences and operational efficiency.Across 13 years of leadership, Ramzi has always stood by a product-first approach. His approach to product development is deeply rooted in customer insights, showcasing his unique perspective on driving growth and adapting to the...
2024-03-0723 min
Behind the GrowthLarry Baziw on the Rise of eSIMs in The Tech EcosystemIn this Behind the Growth episode, Mudassar Malik chats with Larry Baziw, exploring the intersection of eSIM technology and the telecom industry. They dive into how eSIMs are shaping the future, offering insights into the technology's flexibility and impact on consumer experiences. Drawing from his unique blend of interests in technology and music, and an early career in medical engineering, Larry highlights creativity and innovation as key drivers of success in the fast-evolving telecom landscape.As the conversation transitions to the significance of customer-centric approaches in telecom, Larry emphasizes how technological advancements can enhance service and operational e...
2024-02-2825 min
Behind the GrowthSedef Akinli Kocak on The Transformative Power of AI in SustainabilityIn this episode of Behind the Growth, host Imran Mian welcomes Sedef Akinli Kocak, the Director of Professional Development at the Vector Institute, which has played a pivotal role in advancing Canada as a hub for innovation in the global AI landscape. As Sedef reflects on her journey from academia to leading professional development in AI, their conversation highlights the Vector Institute's mission for excellence in AI research and development, emphasizing the bridge between technological advancement and industry application. Sedef discusses the importance of sustainability in software systems and how AI can contribute to addressing the global c...
2024-02-2128 min
Behind the GrowthNelson De Jesus on Leadership & Innovation in the Banking SectorIn this insightful episode of Behind the Growth, host Mudassar Malik engages with Nelson De Jesus, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at CIBC. They dive into Nelson's unexpected journey into the banking and IT sector, revealing the serendipitous encounters and choices that shaped his career. Nelson shares his philosophy on leadership, emphasizing the importance of vision, work ethic, collaboration, and the ability to seek improvement, both professionally and personally constantly. Nelson discusses the transformative impact of AI and generative technologies in banking, drawing parallels and distinctions with past tech trends like blockchain and crypto. He p...
2024-02-0737 min
Behind the GrowthYannick Lallement on Complexities of AI Implemention in BankingIn this episode of Behind the Growth, host Imran Mian dives into the ever-evolving world of artificial intelligence with Yannick Lallement, the Chief AI Officer at Scotiabank. They reflect on the transformative journey of AI, particularly since the emergence of ChatGPT in late 2022, highlighting how AI has shifted from a buzzword to a crucial force reshaping business and everyday life.Yannick shares his unique insights, shaped by a career that began with a fascination for Isaac Asimov's robot novels and culminated in his current role at Scotiabank. He discusses the intricate task of identifying suitable AI use...
2024-02-0133 min
Behind the GrowthVince Gasparro on Taking Collective Action to Combat Climate ChangeIn this episode of Behind the Growth, host Imran Mian engages with Vince Gasparro, a leading figure in sustainable finance, to dissect the intertwining worlds of the financial industry, government, and environmental sustainability. The conversation opens with Vince's professional journey, highlighting his influential roles and deep-rooted commitment to climate action. As the dialogue delves deeper, Vince shares insights on the urgent climate crisis, emphasizing the power of collective action. He underscores the vital role of innovation and public-private partnerships in combating environmental challenges, pointing to his own experiences and global conferences like COP26 and COP27 as evidence o...
2024-01-2527 min
Behind the GrowthLisa Sutherland on Advocating for Women in TechIn this inspiring episode of Behind the Growth, we celebrate Lisa Sutherland, Senior Director of Emerging Markets at Rogers Communication. More than a leader, Lisa is a dedicated advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, and shares invaluable insights with our host, Mudassar Malik.The episode starts with Lisa recounting her professional journey at Rogers Communication, where she has been transforming business requirements into tech solutions, bringing diversity of thought, and enabling the right experience for internal and external customers.The core of the conversation revolves around the importance of women in technology. Lisa delves...
2024-01-1125 min
Behind the GrowthRyan Chong on The Future of Self-ServiceIn this episode of Behind the Growth, host Mudassar Malik engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Ryan Chong, Senior Director of Digital Service and Support at Rogers Communications. From the evolution of self-service to its future, the conversation uncovers great insights about the customer experience landscape. As the discussion unfolds, Ryan emphasizes the pivotal role of digital self-service in not only reducing operational costs and elevating customer experience, but also being a key differentiator. The conversation takes an intriguing turn as Ryan delves into the impact of generative AI on customer interactions, personalization, and speed of innovation. H...
2023-11-0920 min
Behind the GrowthUjjwal Goel on Centralizing Data Strategies for AI SuccessIn this episode of Behind the Growth, host Imran Mian engages in an insightful discussion with Ujjwal Goel, Senior Director at Loblaw Companies Limited. Their conversation delves into the crucial role of data strategy within the realm of artificial intelligence and machine learning.Ujjwal underscores the critical importance of a robust data strategy for organizations aiming to harness the full potential of AI and emphasizes that this strategy should seamlessly align with business objectives, forming the bedrock upon which AI and ML initiatives are constructed. The conversation then shifts into the intricacies of data architecture, highlighting the...
2023-10-2532 min
Behind the GrowthLuca Maraschi on Revolutionizing Backend DevelopmentIn the latest episode of Behind the Growth, host Mudassar Malik is joined by Luca Maraschi, Co-Founder and CEO of Platformatic. Luca shares his rich career journey, from working in various roles in different industries, including gaming and tech, to founding and exiting various companies. Luca discusses the importance of different perspectives, emphasizing how working with large customers across various verticals has been a significant source of inspiration for him. He highlights his belief that working with great people and drawing inspiration from them is essential in building successful startups. The conversation shifts to the in...
2023-10-1039 min
Behind the GrowthJimmy Dinh on Driving Innovation in the Financial IndustryIn this episode of Behind the Growth, join Mudassar Malik as he sits down with Managing Director of ASG and Simplii Financial, Jimmy Dinh. Jimmy describes his university days as a computer engineer during the transformative dot-com boom, shedding light on the challenges and opportunities he encountered at the start of his career. He was inspired not only by the technology itself, but also by the business of technology and the entrepreneurial spirit he encountered while working in Silicon Valley.The conversation shifts to innovation, emphasizing the need for execution rather than treating it as theater. The...
2023-09-2727 min
Behind the GrowthSorin Hogiu on Strategizing & Scaling Agile TransformationIn the latest episode of Behind the Growth, host Mudassar Malik engages in a candid conversation with Sorin Hogiu, an Agile Transformation Leader. Sorin's incredible tech journey, spanning across countries and industries, started in Romania and led him to extraordinary experiences. He shares insights from his early forays into networking, his transition to software development, and his eventual immersion into the financial sector. Diving deeper, Sorin elaborates on the essence of Agile transformation. He emphasizes its iterative nature, the importance of fostering a bottom-up decision-making culture, and the value of customer collaboration. The episode sheds light on...
2023-09-1238 min
Behind the GrowthRobert Simon on Harnessing AI for Engagement and AdoptionJoin host Imran Mian in this captivating episode of Behind the Growth as he dives deep into the world of AI and digital engagement with Robert Simon, the Senior Manager of Digital Adoption at Bell Media. Prepare to be inspired as Robert takes us on a fascinating journey, from his initial discovery of passion for digital technologies to his current role in the telecom industry, where he empowers businesses to embrace the power of digital transformation.Throughout the conversation, Simon unravels the complexities of Artificial Intelligence (AI), shedding light on the crucial role that customer engagement and...
2023-08-2327 min
Behind the GrowthChris Madan on The Intersection of AI and Digital Customer ExperienceIn this episode of Behind the Growth, host Mudassar Malik sits down with Chris Madan, VP of Digital Sales & Service at TELUS. Chris shares his unique career journey across Aviation, Financial Services and Telecommunications, emphasizing the common thread - a focus on customer experience. As the custodian of TELUS's digital storefront, Chris and his team are on a mission to humanize digital experiences and the digital customer journey.Chris touches on AI and its role in bridging the gap between being data-rich and insight poor. He also discusses the potential of AI to process vast amounts of...
2023-08-0121 min
Behind the GrowthCorby Fine on The Do’s and Don’ts of Digital BusinessIn this episode of Behind the Growth, Imran sits down with Corby Fine, a marketing leader, to discuss the ever-evolving world of digital. Corby discusses the shift in investments towards the inner workings of a digital business, emphasizing the critical importance of flexibility and adaptability in today's rapidly evolving digital landscape.As a respected voice in the industry, Corby stresses how important it is to know your customer and understand their journey with your brand.Corby provides insights about pivotal decision points in a career, underlining the balance between retaining technical expertise, while gaining soft...
2023-07-1933 min
Behind the GrowthGaurav Bhatia on the Power of People & CultureJoin Mudassar Malik in this episode of Behind the Growth as he sits down with Gaurav Bhatia, CMO at PenFed Credit Union, to uncover the secrets behind PenFed’s success, which according to Gaurav, are anchored in their people and culture.Gaurav shares how critical it is to be part of a team that believes in the company's vision and is motivated to work toward a shared goal. In addition, a leadership team willing to support other teams' initiatives and help them define and overcome their pain points is the prerequisite for business growth.Finally, Ga...
2023-07-0431 min
Behind the GrowthFaisal Kazi on Embracing Change and Cultivating CSRIn this episode of the Behind the Growth podcast, we delve into the insightful perspectives of Faisal Kazi, the President and CEO at Siemens Canada, on the vital aspects of business leadership. Faisal emphasizes adaptability and learning from mistakes as crucial aspects of change management. He also discusses the importance of continuous learning and feedback in creating a progressive work environment.The conversation highlights the concept of blameless culture, focusing on finding solutions instead of assigning blame. Faisal believes that embracing human imperfections leads to building strong teams and fosters organizational growth.The episode concludes...
2023-06-1430 min
Behind the GrowthLaura McCutchan on The Impact of Inclusive CommunicationIn this episode, host Mudassar Malik sits with Laura McCutchan, a seasoned UX design leader with experience in various web designer roles. McCutchan emphasizes the importance of effective communication within teams, sharing personal experiences on how it influences project outcomes. She speaks of the power of inclusive conversation and design thinking, shedding light on the significance of consultation and collaborative decision-making in UX/UI design.McCutchan further discusses the necessity of striking a balance between feedback, negotiation, and execution in the development process. She underscores the critical role of early discovery and research, cautioning against compromising these...
2023-05-2922 min
Behind the GrowthMichael McCunney on Pricing for the WinPricing is complex but one of the biggest growth levers–even in a dire economy, and It continues influencing customer decisions. So invest in getting it right.In this episode of Behind the Growth, we invited Vice President of Marketing at Revenue Analytics, Michael McCunney, to share what successful Revenue Management is all about and how you can price to balance customer value and business growth. Key Takeaways- Pricing is one of the biggest growth levers- Price to balance customer value and business growth- Pricing plays a cr...
2023-05-1621 min
Behind the GrowthSaeed Otufat-Shamsi on Humanizing Digital TransformationIn this episode of Behind the Growth, we are joined by Saeed Otufat-Shamsi, the Director of Information Services at TELUS, to discuss all things digital transformation. Saeed introduces the term ‘humanized digital transformation’ going beyond technology and process into a customer-centric culture. Saeed draws attention towards the day-2 activities are your key differentiators. As he says, don’t stop at the sale/purchase experience; instead, focus on transforming the after-sales experience as well. You’ll meet customer needs and grow efficiently. He also discusses the ideal team mindset, with leaders being the coaches — not managersKey Take...
2023-05-0326 min
Behind the GrowthLiesl Mulholland & Isabel Nolan on Tools, Community, and Support for Canadian StartupsWith over 900,000 businesses in Canada and 95,000 new companies registered every year, it's clear that the Canadian startup scene is booming. Adding to that, small and mid-sized businesses contribute 50% to Canada's GDP and employ 13 million Canadians—so embracing and supporting Canadian entrepreneurs is more important than ever.On this episode of Behind the Growth, Imran is joined by Liesl Mulholland and Isabel Nolan from Startup Canada, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping Canadian startups grow. Isabel leads Startup Women, empowering female-identifying entrepreneurs, while Liesl heads Startup Global, helping Canadian startups expand internationally.Together, they'll share the im...
2023-04-1929 min
Behind the GrowthLisa Sharapata on Shifting Mindset to Drive Better ResultsWhat is the difference between a good and a great company? Mindset! While building a high-performing team is important, true success comes from a culture of acceptance, inclusivity, and recognition. And for that, you need to shift your mindset.Join us on this episode of Behind the Growth as Lisa Sharapata, Chief Marketing Officer at the Arbinger Institute, shares what got her interested in marketing, what it’s like being a CMO, the difference between an inward and an outward mindset, efficient vs growth-at-all-cost mentality, and how a mindset transformation impacts organizations. This is an ins...
2023-04-0526 min
Behind the GrowthLino Caccavelli on the Essentials of High-Performing TeamsA high-performing team is a reflection of its leader and vice versa. And according to our guest Lino Caccavelli, VP of Direct Financial Services at Simplii Financial, it all starts with an ambitious leader. How the leader designs and builds the team, and fosters collaboration. But most importantly—focuses on progress and not perfection.Lino also shares why he decided to study software development, his career journey, and the importance of mentors in his professional development. Get ready to learn the essentials of building a winning team in this inspiring and informative episode of Behind the...
2023-03-2429 min
Behind the GrowthJudd Borakove on Top 5 Go-To-Market ChallengesYou don't have a sales, marketing, customer success, or product problem. You have a Go-To-Market problem. Recognizing this requires a shift in mindset: you must operate together. So if you are part of sales, marketing, product, customer success, or executive leadership, unite your teams around go-to-market. Use it as the catalyst, celebrate it together, and your business will flourish.In this episode of Behind the Growth, Judd Borakove, the chief growth and community officer at GTM Partners, joins our host Mudassar Malik to discuss what go-to-market (GTM) is, who owns it, its top five challenges, t...
2023-03-1027 min
Behind the GrowthJahan Ali on Successfully Navigating the Entrepreneurial JourneyStarting a business or finding the right people to support your idea may not be that challenging, but growing your business is tricky as it requires many sacrifices. Because of this, many people either give up from a lack of motivation or lose it in the process of growing their business. It’s critical for everyone beginning their entrepreneurial journey – or looking at how they can grow their company – to find brilliant examples and talk to people who have overcome obstacles and never stopped believing in their goals.In this episode of Behind the Growth, we welc...
2023-01-2632 min
Behind the GrowthFrank Baylis on Innovating in a Highly Regulated IndustryLionel Messi said, ''It took me 17 years and 114 days to become an overnight success.'' But it doesn't seem like that from the outside. We often think people like Messi are very lucky. Therefore, it is critical to hear their stories and learn what it means to grow professionally. As our guest says, ''With a bit of hard work, a lot of brains, and some luck, you can do it.''Frank Baylis, the executive chairman of Baylis Medical Technologies, joins our host Imran Mian to share what it is like to Innovate in a highly regulated...
2023-01-2033 min
Behind the GrowthHussain Qureshi on Prioritizing Customer and Employee ExperienceGrowing a business is like preparing a delightful dish. And just like you can't bake a cake without the right ingredients, you can't grow a business without the right focus.In this episode of the Behind the Growth podcast, our host Imran Mian welcomes Hussain Qureshi, the president of mobileLIVE. They chat about the prime drivers of business growth, why people are your greatest asset, and how to create customer intimacy.Key Takeaways:- A great digital experience is about delighting the customer- Solving customer problems is the prime driver in business...
2023-01-1927 min
Behind the GrowthWelcome to Behind the GrowthWelcome to Behind the Growth, a bi-weekly podcast from mobileLIVE. In each episode, our hosts, Imran Mian and Mudassar Malik, will interview industry leaders and experts from multiple industries and departments to learn from their unique growth-driving experiences.Visit mobilelive.ca/podcast to learn more about each guest and read key insights for every episode.
2023-01-1901 min