Tech Legacies

Fanny Dunagan

Want to get ahead in the tech industry? Want tech insights? Join host Fanny Dunagan as top executives share their untold stories about their tech careers, reveal what lessons they've learned, and offer advice for professionals who hope to get ahead. Are you motivated? Looking for career growth? Then make sure you follow this show. Get tips from tech executives from AT&T, FedEx, Verizon, Hasbro, Textron, and EY. Discover strategies for technology and team culture. Learn about the importance of innovation and how it drives company culture. Enjoy personal stories and leadership advice. Gain valuable leadership skills and explore new ideas. If you want to succeed in tech, then Tech Legacies with Fanny Dunagan is for you!

  1. 18 DEC

    BYTE: Gamified Competitions in College and Why It Matters | E07c

    What makes a university education relevant in a world where you can Google anything? In this segment of Tech Legacies podcast, Gaurav Shekhar, Associate Dean at UT Dallas, explains the irreplaceable role of universities: not just to teach skills, but to develop independent thinkers who can solve tomorrow’s problems, even ones we haven’t even defined yet. He also shares: Why corporate training and bootcamps can’t replace the big-picture thinking cultivated in universitiesHow academic-industry partnerships with companies like Tableau and Alteryx build real-world readinessThe power of gamified competitions to build confidence, teamwork, and industry-level problem-solving skills Whether you're a student, educator, or lifelong learner, this conversation will change how you think about higher education and how it prepares future tech leaders.

    6 min

  2. 8 DEC

    BYTE: Classrooms in an AI-First World - UTD Associate Dean Explains | E07b

    What does it mean to teach and learn in an AI-first world? In this thoughtful exchange, Gaurav Shekhar, Associate Dean at UT Dallas, explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping higher education, the future of work, and our understanding of what only humans can do. From AI’s historical roots to its sudden leap into mass adoption, he shares why we’re now in the “golden age of AI” and why embracing it responsibly is essential. Topics include: Why AI isn’t new… but it is newly accessible How educators are rethinking AI use across different types of courses The meaning of “responsible AI” in legal, social, and ethical terms How AI is helping us rediscover the value of human connection Watch this clip to hear how Gaurav is preparing students for a future shaped by AI but still powered by humanity.

    6 min

  3. 26 NOV

    BYTE: From New Delhi to Dallas: UTD Associate Dean’s Origin Story | E07a

    What happens when a curious kid in New Delhi never puts his hand down? Gaurav Shekhar, Associate Dean at UT Dallas, reflects on how growing up in India shaped his leadership style, his love of experimentation, and his passion for bridging academia with industry. In this episode of Tech Legacies Podcast, Gaurav shares personal stories of fearless curiosity, supportive teachers, and why he now walks into meetings without a pitch deck… and leaves with a mission. You’ll hear: Why childhood encouragement matters more than we realizeHow to start powerful conversations with just one questionThe value of showing up without a script and leading with purpose

    4 min

  4. 19 NOV

    Gaurav Shekhar at UT Dallas: College Isn’t Just About Skills | E07

    What if college is preparing you for something deeper than just technical skills? In our interview series Tech Leaders Untold, Fanny Dunagan sits down with Gaurav Shekhar, Associate Dean at the University of Texas at Dallas. He shares what higher education really teaches and why confidence, independent thinking, and real-world connections matter more now than ever. We dive into: ✅ The “confidence gap” no one talks about in school ✅ How universities can stay relevant in the age of AI ✅ The power of mentorship and bridging academia with industry 📌 Whether you're a student, mid-career professional, or industry leader, this episode will challenge your assumptions about education, talent, and the future of work. ----------------------------- Connect with Fanny Dunagan on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/fannydunagan/ Connect with Gaurav Shekhar on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/gauravshekhar/ Want to build your authority and brand as a tech leader? Subscribe to our newsletter for updates, a free branding guide and 1-hour training for tech professionals: https://techlegacies.ck.page/newsletter -----------------------------

    1h 4m

  5. 12 NOV

    BYTE: The Vision That Could Fix American Education with Jim Keyes, Author of Education is Freedom | E06c

    What if education worked like your smartphone? In this segment from Tech Leaders Untold, former 7-Eleven and Blockbuster CEO Jim Keyes lays out a bold, scalable plan to reimagine American education: an Education Operating System (EOS). Just like Apple’s iOS unlocked a world of innovation, Jim argues that EOS could create universal access to high-quality learning tools, individualized education for every student, and real-time connections between students, teachers, and edtech providers; all while ensuring privacy, security, and interoperability. You’ll hear: Why 13,000 different school systems create a broken, fragmented experienceHow a national EOS could level the playing field for every learner and educatorWhat real personalized learning looks like in an AI-enabled classroomHow EOS could bridge the digital divide and increase third-grade literacy nationwideWhy Jim believes we need a modern-day JFK-style moonshot to make this happen If you care about the future of education, AI in the classroom, or building a more equitable system for all, this conversation will inspire you.

    7 min

  6. 5 NOV

    BYTE: Why 7-Eleven Japan Is Years Ahead of U.S. Retail - with Jim Keyes, former CEO of 7-Eleven | E06b

    Think 7-Eleven is just cheap snacks and Slurpees? Think again. In this segment of Tech Legacies podcast, former 7-Eleven and Blockbuster CEO, Jim Keyes shares how 7-Eleven Japan quietly became one of the world’s most advanced retail operations… decades before data-driven retail became trendy. Jim explains how, even in the 1990s, 7-Eleven Japan was using real-time data and logistics to deliver fresh food multiple times a day, manage precise inventory forecasts, and empower store managers to adapt based on real customer insights, not just algorithms. More than just a story about innovation, it’s a lesson in how technology should enhance, not replace, human intelligence. You’ll learn: How 7-Eleven Japan used data warehousing before it was coolWhy logistics + local insight = retail magicWhat U.S. convenience stores still get wrongWhy the future of retail blends AI with the eyes and ears of the people on the ground If you're into retail innovation, leadership, or tech culture in Japan, this story will surprise and inspire you.

    5 min

  7. 30 OCT

    BYTE: Did Netflix Kill Blockbuster? Former Blockbuster CEO Jim Keyes Speaks | E06a

    Everyone thinks Netflix killed Blockbuster. But former CEO Jim Keyes says the real story is very different. In this TECH BYTE clip from Tech Leaders Untold, Jim reveals what really happened behind the scenes: how Blockbuster was actually ahead of its time in streaming, why a potential deal with Enron could have changed entertainment forever, and why Netflix’s $50 million offer wasn’t the sure bet history makes it out to be. He also shares the lost story of Blockbuster's Total Access, a hybrid DVD-by-mail and in-store exchange model that beat Netflix’s convenience long before streaming took off. What went wrong? Bandwidth. Timing. And the 2008 financial collapse that crushed the company’s transformation just as it began. If you think you know the Blockbuster story, think again. You’ll learn: Why Blockbuster’s tech strategy was years ahead of competitorsThe untold role of Enron and Movielink in early streamingWhy Netflix wasn’t the obvious winner in 2000How timing and perception shaped one of the biggest myths in business

    3 min

  8. 23 OCT

    Corporate Yoda and Former 7-Eleven CEO Jim Keyes | E06

    Host Fanny Dunagan talks with Jim Keyes, former CEO of 7-Eleven and Blockbuster. Sometimes called the Corporate Yoda, Jim discusses his multi-faceted career and vision for technology and education. Topics include: AI and the future of decision-makingLessons from Blockbuster’s misunderstood collapseEmpowering frontline workers with tech (not replacing them)The cultural pressures that keep people from standing outWhy the U.S. needs a national education operating systemHow astronauts and CEOs experience the “overview effect” Jim shares his inspiring journey from a small-town upbringing to leading major corporations, highlighting the role of curiosity, resilience, and education in his success. They discuss the transformative potential of technology in retail and education, including Jim's innovative proposal for an Education Operating System (EOS) to revolutionize learning globally. The episode also delves into Jim's passion for aviation and the broader lessons he draws from the aerospace field. Join this insightful conversation to learn how education and technology can shape a better future. 00:00 Introduction to the Tech Leaders Untold Podcast 01:24 Meet Jim Keyes: A Modern Renaissance Man 06:00 Jim's Early Life and the Power of Education 15:58 The Journey from McDonald's to Corporate Success 21:18 Embracing Change at 7-Eleven 32:01 The Blockbuster Era: Challenges and Innovations 39:50 The Power of Education and Personal Responsibility 40:21 Inspiration Behind the Book Title 42:50 The Role of Fear in Education 48:24 A Vision for a Unified Education Operating System 51:07 The Potential of Technology in Education 01:01:40 Micro-Scholarships and Gamifying Education 01:04:49 Aviation and Personal Passions 01:14:12 Reflections on Legacy and Inspiration 01:16:59 Closing Remarks and Call to Action If you're a tech leader, educator, innovator, or lifelong learner, this episode will change how you think about leadership and what it means to build a better future. ----------------------------- Connect with Fanny Dunagan on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/fannydunagan/ Connect with Jim Keyes on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-keyes-a0947215/ Want to build your authority and brand as a tech leader? Subscribe to our newsletter for updates, a free branding guide and 1-hour training for tech professionals: https://techlegacies.ck.page/newsletter ----------------------------- Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 02:00 Why They Call Him the “Corporate Yoda” of Leadership and Innovation 04:15 How Curiosity Became the Secret Weapon Behind Every Great Leader 06:43 From Poverty to CEO: The Power of Education to Change a Life 10:36 Teachers, Mentorship & the Unsung Heroes Who Shape the Future a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ndhl4azlr80&t=966s"...

    1h 21m
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About

Want to get ahead in the tech industry? Want tech insights? Join host Fanny Dunagan as top executives share their untold stories about their tech careers, reveal what lessons they've learned, and offer advice for professionals who hope to get ahead. Are you motivated? Looking for career growth? Then make sure you follow this show. Get tips from tech executives from AT&T, FedEx, Verizon, Hasbro, Textron, and EY. Discover strategies for technology and team culture. Learn about the importance of innovation and how it drives company culture. Enjoy personal stories and leadership advice. Gain valuable leadership skills and explore new ideas. If you want to succeed in tech, then Tech Legacies with Fanny Dunagan is for you!

Information

  • Creator
    Fanny Dunagan
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    46
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 Fanny Dunagan
  • Show Website
    Tech Legacies