Builders by Proxify

Proxify

This is Builders, the podcast where we discuss the ups and downs of building great tech products with the people behind innovative tech products and services.

  1. Blending Creativity, Leadership & Tech in Gaming with Ali Farha, Star Stable

    1 DAY AGO

    Blending Creativity, Leadership & Tech in Gaming with Ali Farha, Star Stable

    In this episode of Builders, host Lee Haynes speaks with Ali Farha, Senior Technical Producer at Star Stable, about his career journey and lessons from the gaming industry. Ali shares how he combines technical expertise, creativity, and leadership to build engaging player experiences while balancing production deadlines. Chapters (00:00) Introduction to Ali Farha and Star Stable (01:21) Ali's Journey into Tech and Gaming (03:58) Defining Moments in Career Transition (07:49) Breaking into the Gaming Industry (12:18) Role of a Senior Technical Producer (17:14) Balancing Production and Player Experience (24:45) Transitioning to Leadership in Tech (29:31) Creating Psychological Safety in Tech Teams (30:59) Understanding Team Dynamics and Inclusivity (33:46) Hiring Challenges in the Tech Industry (37:07) Building a Personal Brand on LinkedIn (37:37) The Importance of Continuous Learning (41:29) Staying Relevant in a Rapidly Evolving Industry (45:49) Engaging and Retaining Talent in Tech (49:26) Fostering Creativity in Teams (52:39) Misconceptions About Working in Gaming (56:27) Advice for Future Leaders

    1 hr
  2. Bridging Research and Tech: SEB's Anastasia Varava on Banking, Regulation, and the Future of AI

    23 SEPT

    Bridging Research and Tech: SEB's Anastasia Varava on Banking, Regulation, and the Future of AI

    In this episode of Builders, host Lee Haynes sits down with Anastasia Varava, Research Lead at SEB, to explore how technology and banking intersect. Anastasia shares her journey from academia to applied research, the pioneering role of SEBx in driving innovation within a highly regulated industry, and the challenges of implementing new technologies in banking. The conversation dives into the importance of bridging technical and non-technical teams, the future of AI in financial services, and strategies for attracting top tech talent to mission-driven organizations. Chapters (00:00) Introduction to Innovation in Banking (00:56) Anastasia's Journey into Research and Innovation (03:22) The Role of SEBX in Financial Innovation (05:46) From Research to Real-World Impact (10:50) Challenges in Banking Innovation (13:49) Collaboration Between Technical and Non-Technical Teams (15:26) Hiring for Applied Research Teams (20:24) The Future of Banking Technologies (25:00) Responsible AI Adoption in Banking (30:53) Overhyped and Underappreciated AI Areas (36:16) Leadership in Innovation (42:01) Attracting Talent in Tech and Research

    45 min
  3. Leading Wolt’s Data: Jacopo Himberg on Scaling Data Infrastructure & AI Trends

    18 SEPT

    Leading Wolt’s Data: Jacopo Himberg on Scaling Data Infrastructure & AI Trends

    Join Builders as Jacopo Himberg, Director of Data at Wolt, shares his unique journey from in leading Wolt’s data operations. Discover how he built a strong data culture, scaled Wolt’s data infrastructure, and enabled self-service data access for teams. Packed with insights for data and tech leaders, this episode offers actionable advice on fostering innovation, embracing a startup mindset, and driving growth in fast-moving organizations. Chapters (00:00) Introduction to Jacopo Himberg and Volt (01:01) Jakcopo's Career Journey and Transition to Data (06:00) Early Days at Wolt and Company Culture (08:22) Building Data Infrastructure at Wolt (15:00) Evolving Data Strategy and Governance (18:15) Self-Service Data Access and User Empowerment (22:45) Trends in Data Platforms and Tooling Choices (28:21) Data Certainty and Organizational Trust (29:43) Challenges of Scaling Data Models (32:28) Navigating Data Set Familiarity (34:00) The Role of Automation and AI in Data Ecosystems (40:22) Enhancing Knowledge Management with AI (42:25) Challenges in Hiring Data Engineers (45:54) Assessing Beyond Technical Skills in Hiring (48:18) Maintaining a Startup Mindset in a Growing Organization (52:00) Advice for Building and Scaling Data Teams (54:42) The Future of Data and Business Decision-Making

    1h 1m
  4. Kristina Prilepchanska (Electrolux) on Digital Transformation in Procurement, IT & Stakeholder Management

    9 SEPT

    Kristina Prilepchanska (Electrolux) on Digital Transformation in Procurement, IT & Stakeholder Management

    Kristina Prilepchanska, Head of Procurement Solutions, IT & Digital at Electrolux, shares her journey from engineering to leading digital transformation in procurement. She discusses system integration, stakeholder management, and hiring for potential, while exploring how AI, sustainability, and innovation are shaping the future of procurement technology. Chapters (00:00) Introduction to Procurement and IT Integration (03:54) The Role of Procurement in Manufacturing (07:50) Navigating System Integration Challenges (12:09) Managing Internal Stakeholders and Communication (15:58) Building Relationships and Team Dynamics (19:02) Hiring for Potential vs. Technical Skills (22:04) Onboarding in a Complex Tech Environment (26:02) Working Effectively with Consultants (28:58) Ensuring Knowledge Transfer from Consultants (31:54) Modernizing Legacy Systems (37:35) Lessons Learned from Legacy Data Management (41:16) Innovation in Procurement (43:43) Sustainable Digital Transformation (45:25) Future Trends in Procurement and Technology

    49 min
  5. Pooyan Seddighzadeh on the Future of Batteries, Sustainability, and Engineering Leadership at NOVO Energy

    2 SEPT

    Pooyan Seddighzadeh on the Future of Batteries, Sustainability, and Engineering Leadership at NOVO Energy

    In this episode of Builders, Lee Haynes interviews Pooyan Seddighzadeh, Vice President of Engineering at NOVO Energy, to discuss the future of battery technology and sustainable energy. Pooyan shares his journey into the battery industry, offering insights into technological advancements, recycling, and the role of regulations in shaping innovation. He highlights the importance of aligning engineering with strategic goals, building partnerships, and fostering sustainability. The conversation also explores the skills needed for engineering leadership, including flexibility, problem-solving, and guiding the next generation of engineers. A must-listen for anyone passionate about energy innovation and sustainable technology. Chapters (00:00) Introduction to Novo Energy and Pooyan Sedigzadeh (03:41) Technological Shifts in Battery Energy Sector (06:15) Challenges in the Battery Industry: Competition and Overcapacity (09:13) Differentiating in the Energy Storage Market (10:35) Navigating Regulations and Policies in Europe (12:51) Sustainability at the Core of Novo Energy's Mission (13:47) Battery Recycling Initiatives and Challenges (19:17) Proud Moments in Battery Manufacturing (21:08) Measuring Sustainability Impact (22:48) Balancing Short-term Demands with Long-term Sustainability (23:06) Balancing Short-Term Survival with Long-Term Sustainability (24:24) Scaling Engineering Teams in a Rapidly Evolving Industry (27:29) Navigating Cultural Challenges in Diverse Teams (28:58) Identifying Strong Engineering Talent (31:10) Fostering Innovation and Collaboration (33:05) The Role of Partnerships in Energy Transition (36:48) Learning from Other Industries (38:40) Understanding Product Roadmaps in Engineering (40:52) Essential Leadership Qualities in Engineering (44:30) Advice for Young Engineers in Sustainable Energy

    47 min
  6. Marketing and Data Leadership: Gabor Harsanyi on Data, AI, and Team Building at Ericsson

    26 AUG

    Marketing and Data Leadership: Gabor Harsanyi on Data, AI, and Team Building at Ericsson

    In this episode of Builders, Lee Haynes sits down with Gabor Harsanyi, Head of Marketing and Corporate Relations Data Office at Ericsson, to explore his journey from marketing to data analytics leadership. Gabor shares insights on data quality, customer experience, and the role of data in modern marketing strategies. He also discusses the challenges of leading data teams, mentorship, and attracting top talent, while reflecting on the future of data analytics in the age of AI. A must-listen for anyone interested in data-driven leadership, team building, and the evolving role of AI in business. Chapters (00:00) Introduction to Gabor Harsanyi and Ericsson (01:08) Gabor's Career Journey in Data and Analytics (04:33) The Intersection of Data and Marketing at Ericsson (09:15) Data Quality Improvement and Its Impact (12:24) Leveraging Data for Customer Experience (18:13) Challenges in Data Analytics and Leadership (20:11) Learning from Failures in Data Strategy (25:50) Understanding Business Problems Before Solutions (28:02) Building and Leading Teams at Ericsson (29:18) Building Effective Teams: Skills and Qualities (33:09) Attracting and Retaining Talent in Data (35:38) The Evolving Role of Data Leaders (36:50) The Importance of Mentorship (39:16) Future Trends in Data Analytics (45:26) Career Advice for Aspiring Data Professionals

    53 min
  7. Transforming Telecom with Data & AI with Sara Asgari, Head of Digital & Analytics at Telia

    19 AUG

    Transforming Telecom with Data & AI with Sara Asgari, Head of Digital & Analytics at Telia

    In this episode of Builders, Lee Haynes speaks with Sara Asgari, Head of Digital & Analytics at Telia, about the future of telecom powered by data and AI. Sara shares her journey into digital transformation, the challenges of attracting and upskilling tech talent, and the importance of diverse teams. They also discuss smart cities, customer engagement, and why cybersecurity is critical in today’s connected world. Chapters (00:00) Introduction to Digital Transformation in Telecom (00:58) Sara's Journey: From Engineering to Digital Leadership (04:47) Evolution of Digital Analytics in Business (06:07) Challenges in Transitioning to Data-Driven Strategies (07:04) Attracting and Retaining Top Talent in Tech (08:40) Creating an Engaging Work Environment for Talent (10:15) Addressing the AI Skills Gap (11:55) The Importance of Diversity in Hiring (13:24) Building Inclusive Cultures Beyond Hiring (15:53) Encouraging Collaboration Between Business and Tech (17:22) Common Pitfalls in Business-Tech Alignment (18:42) AI's Role in Shaping Customer Experience (19:14) The Future of Hyper-Personalization and Automation (21:43) Challenges in Implementing AI and Automation (24:33) Predictive Analytics in Customer Service (26:25) The Role of Telecom in Digital Services (29:06) Hyper-Personalized Customer Experiences (31:13) The Evolution of Networks with AI and 5G (34:15) Leadership Lessons in Digital Transformation (36:35) Future Projects and Sustainability in Telecom

    45 min
  8. Building the Future of AI: Insights from Stefan Wendin of AI Sweden

    12 AUG

    Building the Future of AI: Insights from Stefan Wendin of AI Sweden

    In this episode of Builders, host Lee Haynes speaks with Stefan Wendin, Head of Intelligent Systems at RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, previously Principal AI Engineer at AI Sweden, about his journey from architecture to AI and the rapid adoption of AI in Sweden. Stefan shares insights into the challenges organizations face in realizing AI’s full value, the role of public-private partnerships, and how consensus-driven decision-making impacts innovation. The discussion highlights the importance of grit, hands-on problem-solving, and a mindset that embraces change. Discover why committing to action is key to fostering creativity, growth, and successful AI adoption. Chapters (00:00) Introduction to AI Sweden and Stefan Wendin (01:25) Stefan's Journey: From Restoration to AI Innovation (04:50) AI Adoption in Sweden: Trends and Drivers (07:24) Challenges in Realizing AI Value (10:16) Transforming Operational Efficiency with AI (14:03) Public-Private Partnerships in AI Development (18:03) Best Practices for Quick AI Value Realization (22:03) The Role of Consensus in Organizational Speed (26:41) Personal Projects and Problem Solving in AI (30:15) Hands-On Experimentation and Creativity in Leadership (33:18) Cultivating a Mindset for Change (37:27) Navigating Change in Large Organizations (42:29) Hiring for Grit vs. Technical Expertise (46:53) The Impact of Grit Over Technical Proficiency (50:15) Lessons from Hands-On Experimental Approaches

    1 hr
See All (45)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

This is Builders, the podcast where we discuss the ups and downs of building great tech products with the people behind innovative tech products and services.

Information

  • Creator
    Proxify
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    45
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Proxify
  • Show Website
    Builders by Proxify

You Might Also Like