Innovation Heroes

Innovation Heroes is back, bringing with it an exciting new format and a roster of elite guests. Hosted by Ed McNamara, Season 6 is here to help business leaders solve what’s next.  Each episode explores groundbreaking innovations across industries, from advances in healthcare and cybersecurity to the latest developments in AI and even outerspace IT. Innovation Heroes continues to shine a spotlight on the IT professionals driving transformational change in an ever-evolving world.  Don’t miss the debut of Season 6 next week. Be sure to like and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts to stay ahead of the curve.   

In 2019, the City of New Orleans was hit by a cyberattack and came to a halt. Within hours, thousands of servers, virtual machines, and computers were shut down. They were told by the National Guard that they needed to build a completely new infrastructure.    This week, we discuss the unsung heroes in data storage, those defending against cybersecurity attacks, building new infrastructure, and supporting AI innovation. Andrew Miller, Lead Principal Technologist of the Americas, Pure Storage, outlines how they were able to replace the entire storage footprint in New Orleans. He outlines the conversations he has with customers about resiliency, what he calls the intersection of disaster recovery and security.    We also explore the changing landscape of storage and cloud in 2024, and the current trends in threats like ransomware. Miller provides tips for data protection, developing security frameworks, and getting buy-in for security spend.    Featured Guest: Andrew Miller, Lead Principal Technologist of the Americas, Pure Storage Read his blog Hear Andrew on the Pure Report Podcast Join Andrew’s monthly Coffee Break webinar Find his socials   This episode is brought to you by Pure Storage. Turn bottlenecks into breakthroughs with Pure’s modern data experience. Talk to an expert today and learn more at shi.com/brands/pure-storage. Innovation Heroes is an SHI podcast. New episodes are now available on YouTube and all major podcast platforms. Visit https://blog.shi.com/podcasts/.   

Design-led companies such as Apple, Starbucks, and Airbnb outperform the S&P 500 index by 219%. The question is why? Today’s guest Paul Stonick -- VP of SCADpro, the Savannah College of Art and Design’s in-house design studio -- says he has the answer. Paul says this human-centered approach to problem solving unleashes creativity in any organization. Design can solve everything, says Stonick. On the episode, he dives into how to create real change within an organization by developing a culture of test and learn. He outlines the five steps of design thinking and stresses the importance of mapping design back to investment strategies, this being the best way to break through corporate obstructionism.   --- This episode is brought to you by We Got Your Mac, a new podcast from SHI, exploring the benefits and challenges of large-scale Mac adoption across the enterprise. Check out We Got Your Mac wherever you get podcasts or go to wegotyourmac.com for all the episodes, plus free bonus resources and content. Innovation Heroes is an SHI podcast. New episodes are now available on YouTube and all major podcast platforms. Visit https://blog.shi.com/podcasts/.

Charles “Chuck” Rinker wants people to be as addicted to their own health as some are to video games. He should know – he was the director behind EA Sports’ NCAA/Madden series. Now, as CEO and Founder of PRSONAS by nuMedia Innovations Inc, he’s bringing digital personalities to industries, such as the healthcare sector.   Rinker discusses his career trajectory, starting out in cattle farming and then going on to Black Ops military simulation work. But his career pivoted after he and his wife battled three bouts of cancer between them.  PRSONAS’s digital assistants can do tasks such as wayfinding, answering questions, and taking surveys, freeing up the time of healthcare workers and aiding in clinical trial recruitment. Rinker discusses how the technology was developed, with early advice from a Disney Imagineering SVP on avoiding the uncanny valley effect. Rinker outlines how they use GenAI, as well as the roles of UX and CX, and how the technology is being used now in an array of sectors, including airports, banks, and commercial markets.   This episode is brought to you by We Got Your Mac, a new podcast from SHI, exploring the benefits and challenges of large-scale Mac adoption across the enterprise. Find We Got Your Mac wherever you get podcasts or go to wegotyourmac.com for all the episodes, plus free bonus resources and content.   Innovation Heroes is an SHI podcast. New episodes are now available on YouTube and all major podcast platforms. Visit https://blog.shi.com/podcasts/.      

You may think of Kenmore as your grandmother's brand. It’s true – the name first appeared on sewing machines in 1913. But the brand has been revitalized by their current CEO Sri Solur. In just 18 months, he’s doubled licensing revenue and scaled to thousands of new locations and online. This week, he talks about how he's brought innovation to this 100-year old company by using software development principles and agile business methods, from his background in wearable technology and robotics. Kenmore previously sold everyday appliances, such as fridges, washing machines, and vacuums, exclusively at Sears department stores, but went through a tipping point when Sears declared bankruptcy. Just 18 months ago, it was nearly impossible to find Kenmore products on shelves. Now they’re in more than 5200 locations, including Target. Solur shares the techniques he brought from the technical world to Kenmore, including leaning in on quality and speed of operations. He also talks about his advice to other legacy companies for appealing to younger generations, including through energy security and decarbonization initiatives. Innovation Heroes is an SHI podcast. New episodes are now available on YouTube and all major podcast platforms. Visit https://blog.shi.com/podcasts/.

They’re protecting the US energy grid, monitoring the dark web, and even getting shot at in Ukraine. Threat intelligence agencies are taking down bad actors daily in the world of cybersecurity. This week, Ed talks to Joe Marshall, Senior Security Strategist at Cisco Talos Intelligence Group, one of the largest of its kind in the world. History-making cybersecurity events are happening in Ukraine and Marshall has been on the ground there twice, maintaining critical infrastructure. He discusses the potential for threats against critical US infrastructure, the evolution of cybersecurity, and emerging trends to be aware of.    This episode is brought to you by Cisco. Anticipate, act, and simplify with the Cisco Secure Firewall. To learn more, call your SHI Account Executive or go to shiciscosecurity.com   ===   Innovation Heroes is an SHI podcast. New episodes are now available on Youtube and all major podcast platforms. Visit https://blog.shi.com/podcasts/ 

The buzz around Generative AI is growing louder. But what's the reality behind the hype? It can be difficult to know when and how to start – and what the consequences might be. In this episode, we are bringing you real-world advice for AI implementation. Ed is joined by John Byron Hanby IV, Founder & CEO of Iternal Technologies, and Allen Clingerman, Chief Technology Strategist at Dell, to discuss practical methodologies for launching GenAI in the business. We'll cover the benefits of doing it right, as well as common misconceptions and mistakes.  This episode is brought to you by Dell Generative AI Solutions. Generate higher quality results and faster time-to-value with a powerful, full-stack solution from Dell Technologies and NVIDIA. Visit Dell.com/AI to get started.

Public sector IT heroes support more than 3000 county governments across the USA. Without them, we wouldn’t have daily necessities like public utilities, roadways, law enforcement, or secure elections. But these small and mighty teams are up against budget restrictions, unfunded government mandates, cyber-attacks, talent shortages... the list goes on.   On today’s episode, Ed talks with Micah Hassinger, Director of IT in Passaic County, NJ, about how he is leading efforts to modernize the county's IT systems and infrastructure, while making the most fiscally responsible decisions. There are no taxpayer dollars set aside for failure, says Hassinger. And he says it’s difficult to attract top talent in government roles, with a lot of the skills never used in public sector IT. How does this unsung hero make it all work? Listen to find out.   Innovation Heroes is a SHI podcast. New episodes are now available on Youtube and all major podcast platforms. Visit https://blog.shi.com/podcasts/

With the proliferation of generative AI, new forms of threats have been unleashed, presenting novel challenges for cybersecurity experts. However, amidst this uncertainty, there is a glimmer of hope. Can AI itself be the key to fortifying our defences and shaping the future of cybersecurity strategies?  On today's episode, host Ed McNamara meets with Michael Wilcox, Vice President of the Office of the CISO at Stratascale. Wilcox sheds light on the fascinating convergence of AI and cybersecurity, uncovering the potential challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in this rapidly evolving domain. Together, they explore how intelligent systems can be safeguarded, identify the menacing threats posed by generative AI, and investigate whether AI itself can be instrumental in shaping robust cybersecurity strategies. Innovation Heroes is a production of SHI. Find out how we can help your business Solve what’s next with our stress-free, scalable solutions that you – and your people – will love. Visit shi.com/solvewhatsnext to learn more.

The thing humanity consumes the most is water. The second is data, and that’s growing at an alarming rate, says Tom Frazier, CEO of Redivider. On today’s episode, Ed talks with Frazier about how Redivider is shifting how data centers are built and operated as data needs continue to explode.  Traditionally, it can take up to three years and a quarter of a billion dollars to build mega data centers. Redivider is creating data centers using prefabricated modular parts that can go live in 30 days. On the show, Frazier talks about opportunity zones, such as using the heat generated to create community greenhouses. To combat noise pollution, immersion cooling technology can be built into the facility. Centers can also run on hydrogen, a green energy source, he says. Additionally, Frazier talks about the lack of construction workforce, how data centers impact water usage, and other concerns for the future of sustainable data storage. Innovation Heroes is an SHI podcast. New episodes are now available on Youtube and all major podcast platforms. Visit https://blog.shi.com/podcasts/

We delve into the world of General Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) with returning guest, Stacey Shulman, a tech industry veteran and vice president at Intel. We explore the powerful transformations GenAI is bringing to healthcare and retail sectors, highlighting some truly inspiring use cases that showcase the potential of this groundbreaking technology. But this episode isn't just about the "what" of GenAI, we also navigate the "how". Stacey offers invaluable insights into the practical considerations business leaders need to take into account to successfully implement AI within their organizations. From her experiences at Intel and collaborations with industry influencers like will.i.am, she provides actionable advice for harnessing the power of AI.

What if instead of being disrupted, you became the disruptor? In the first episode of Season 5, we hear from Greg Matusky, the President and Founder of GregoryFCA. Matusky discusses his journey of embracing Generative AI in his PR firm, transforming their operations and culture. He shares how the advent of ChatGPT has revolutionized his firm's processes, and his vision of progressing from an age of information to an age of wisdom and intelligence. Tune in to learn about Matusky's insights on AI's role in public relations and how he's fostering a culture of innovation within his team. Featuring: Greg Matusky, President and Founder of GregoryFCA Innovation Heroes is an SHI podcast. New episodes are now available on Youtube and all major podcast platforms. Visit https://blog.shi.com/podcasts/

SHI's Innovation Heroes is back with our most ambitious season ever. We'll unravel 12 inspiring stories from the disruptive front lines, diving into topics such as the revolutionary potential (and risks) of Generative AI and groundbreaking advancements in sustainable IT, all while shining a light on the unsung technology heroes. We're also delivering a whole new way to experience the conversation. For the first time, we're introducing an all-new video podcast format, enabling you to watch us on YouTube, while still offering audio episodes for your morning jog or commute. Starting June 29, join us as we navigate this intricate world of technology, helping you "Solve What's Next" one major trend at a time.

When you work in the technology industry, the “next big thing” is always just around the corner. But how do we spot when something is truly transformational, or if it’s just an over-hyped gimmick? It's a question we often ponder on this show, where we meet individuals at the cutting edge of emerging technologies like blockchain, Web 3 and NFTs. On today’s bonus episode, we’re revisiting the best conversations we've had with start up founders, visionaries and all-around paradigm shifters. And we'll explore why they think the big new technology they represent is truly ground-breaking– and not just a bunch of buzz. This episode featured conversations with:  Costa Kladianos, Vice President, Innovation and Technology at Canlan Sports: https://shiinnovationheroes.podbean.com/e/wtf-are-nfts/ Barr von Oehsen, Associate Vice President of the Office of Advanced Research Computing at Rutgers University: https://shiinnovationheroes.podbean.com/e/the-real-superheroes-behind-a-supercomputer/ Medha Parlikar, CTO and Co-Founder at CasperLabs: https://shiinnovationheroes.podbean.com/e/blockchain-101-everything-the-enterprise-needs-to-know/ Mark Miller, co-founder and CEO of Labelcoin: https://shiinnovationheroes.podbean.com/e/turning-up-the-volume-on-a-new-blockchain-use-case/

With all the doom and gloom about AI, we ask: Are robots and AI the key to unlocking a brighter future for humanity? This new Best of compilation delves into the extraordinary ways these technologies are revolutionizing our world. Featuring discussions about crimefighting robots, social robotics and AI’s real-life applications in the creative industries, IT and our workplace. Prepare to be inspired as we explore the limitless possibilities that robots and AI hold in shaping a better tomorrow for all. This episode features our conversations with: William Santana Li, Knightscope’s Chairman and CEO: Listen to full episode Will Ramey, Sr. Director, Global Head of Developer Programs at NVIDIA: Listen to full episode Frauke Zeller and Lauren Dwyer, two leading social robotics scientists at Toronto Metropolitan University: Listen to full episode Ruslan Khamidullin, Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer at Filmustage: Listen to full episode Sonny Hudson, Collaboration Specialist of Partners at Cisco, Adan Jardine, Assitant Professor in the Department of Linguistics at Rutgers University and Matthew Stone, Professor and Chair of the Computer Science Department at Rutgers New Brunswick:  Listen to full episode