Interviews
The AI Revolution Explained
Nurtekin Savas, Head of Global Credit Infrastructure, Data & AI at PayPal
In this episode of The Data Storytellers Podcast, we speak with Nurtekin Savas, VP and Head of Global Credit Infrastructure, Data & AI at PayPal. Nurtekin shares how PayPal balances innovation with responsibility as it scales global credit products powered by data and AI. From structuring modern analytics platforms to influencing stakeholders and fostering experimentation in regulated environments, Nurtekin offers actionable insights for data leaders navigating fintech complexity. He also reflects on the value of storytelling, leadership trust, and aligning infrastructure with business goals at scale.
How Agentic AI Will Reshape Customer Experience
Rangan Gangavaram, Senior Director of Analytics & Insights at Verizon
In this episode of The Data Storytellers Podcast, we speak with Rangan Gangavaram, Senior Director of Analytics & Insights at Verizon, about the promise and pitfalls of agentic AI. Rangan shares why agentic AI is more than just another automation wave, how it differs from RPA, and why its reasoning capabilities could redefine customer interactions. We discuss the decision frameworks enterprises need to adopt, the importance of stakeholder-driven adoption, and how AI transformations resemble the digital era more than traditional data initiatives. Rangan also reflects on his career journey from engineering to analytics leadership and the pivotal role of storytelling in driving AI adoption.
The Hard Truths of Enterprise AI Adoption
Jodi Blomberg, VP of AI and Machine Learning at Cox Automotive
In this episode of The Data Storytellers Podcast, we reconnect with Jodi Blomberg to discuss the new realities of AI strategy and maturity in 2025. Jodi shares how her organization balances experimentation with discipline—launching an internal AI accelerator and piloting agentic solutions while building the scaffolding for scale. She outlines what pragmatic adoption looks like, how to separate hype from durable value, and why internal transformation and product innovation demand different maturity paths. Jodi also reflects on cost control, governance, and what true enterprise readiness for AI will require.
The AI Leadership Playbook for Global Enterprises
Elena Alikhachkina, Chief Data and AI Officer at TE Connectivity
In this episode of The Data Storytellers Podcast, we speak with Elena Alikhachkina, Chief Data Officer at TE Connectivity, about rethinking data management for the agentic-AI era. Elena explains why agents—not analysts—may soon become the primary consumers of enterprise data, and how this shift transforms governance, metadata, and architecture. She discusses the practical limits of current technology, the emerging playbooks for enterprise-grade agents, and what “data foundations for AI” really mean when business processes themselves become automated customers of data.
Building Data-Driven Cultures in Sports, Film, and Streaming
Mikel Davis, VP of Strategic Analytics at Peacock
In this episode of The Data Storytellers Podcast, we speak with Mikel Davis, VP of Strategic Analytics at Peacock, about how streaming leaders are using data to shape business growth. Mikel shares her journey from economics and statistics into analytics leadership, and how her team informs executive decisions on customer behavior and performance. She reflects on the parallels between today’s AI revolution and the early rise of analytics, offering sharp insights on data fluency, experimentation in dynamic industries, and aligning analytics with business strategy at scale.
Navigating the AI Hype and Building Data-Driven Cultures
Juan Gorricho, former CDO at Disney Credit Union and Senior Data Leader at Visa and TD Bank
In this episode of The Data Storytellers Podcast, we speak with Juan Gorricho, formerly Chief Data & Analytics Officer at TD, about navigating the AI wave with clarity and substance. Juan shares his take on AI washing, FOMO-driven investments, and how leaders can cut through noise to find genuine innovation. He draws parallels between the AI boom and earlier technology cycles, exploring how capital, narrative, and experimentation interact to shape real value. Juan also reflects on lessons from his career leading data organizations and how to balance speed, risk, and sustainable strategy in the era of intelligent automation.
Closing the Data-to-Action Gap
Aaron Fossum, Senior Director of Digital Analytics at Norwegian Cruise Line
In this episode of The Data Storytellers Podcast, we speak with Aaron Fossum, Senior Director of Digital Analytics at Norwegian Cruise Line, about turning data storytelling into business action. Aaron shares his framework for closing the “data-to-action gap,” ensuring insights lead to implemented decisions that drive measurable impact. He outlines three levels of analytics—decision support, heartbeat analytics, and creative discovery—and explains how process discipline can free teams from ad-hoc reporting to focus on transformative work. Drawing on his experience across NCL’s global brands, Aaron discusses how data literacy, communication cadence, and repeatable processes help analytics teams become engines of growth rather than report vending machines.
Building Amazing Data-Driven Experiences
Alex Dragan, Vice President of Enterprise Data and Analytics at Four Seasons
In this episode of The Data Storytellers Podcast, we welcome back Alex Dragan, VP of Enterprise Data & Analytics at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, to unpack his playbook for building a trusted, enterprise-wide data strategy. Alex explains how his “three-by-three” framework aligns analytics, governance, and culture across a global hospitality brand. He explores what it takes to create transformative data utilization, trusted data practices, and strong data literacy across 55,000 employees. Through vivid hospitality analogies, Alex makes abstract concepts like governance, trust, and AI readiness tangible—showing how data, when treated as a strategic asset, can personalize experiences, drive innovation, and elevate brand excellence at scale.
Building Trust with Data
Albert Mangahas, Chief Data Officer at Turo
In this episode of The Data Storytellers Podcast, we sit down with Albert Mangahas, Chief Data Officer at Turo, to explore how the world’s largest peer-to-peer car-sharing marketplace uses data to fuel growth and trust. Albert unpacks how data science, analytics, and engineering intersect at Turo to deliver exceptional customer experiences, from fraud prevention to personalized recommendations. He discusses what it means to build a data-driven culture in a born-digital company and how data storytelling helps bridge the gap between technical insight and customer obsession.
Mastering Data Strategy for Business Growth
Dejan Mitkovski, Vice President of Data Analytics at FanDuel
In this episode of The Data Storytellers Podcast, we welcome back Dejan Mikotvski, VP of Data & Analytics at FanDuel, to unpack what it means to master data strategy in a rapidly evolving industry. Dejan explains how FanDuel’s focus has shifted toward customer experience, personalization, and responsible gaming, and why data strategy—not just data usage—separates leading organizations from the rest. He shares research on what it means to truly be data-driven, how few companies execute effectively, and why treating data as a business capability—not a tech problem—is the key differentiator.
Scaling Data Solutions for Business Impact
Lance Glosemeyer, Vice President of Business Intelligence and Analytics at Diary Queen
In this episode of The Data Storytellers Podcast, we speak with Lance Glosemeyer, Director of Data, BI & Analytics at Dairy Queen, about modernizing analytics within one of America’s most iconic brands. Lance shares his nine-year journey leading Dairy Queen’s transformation from manual reporting to an automated, insight-driven enterprise. He explains how to build trust and investment for data modernization in a franchise organization, the importance of aligning data strategy with brand experience, and how storytelling helps rally stakeholders behind change. Lance also reflects on the long-term mindset required to evolve analytics in legacy environments and the key lessons learned from a decade of transformation.
Embracing Agile Principles in Data Science
Pete Scherf, Vice President of Analytics and AI at Swire Coca-Cola
In this episode of The Data Storytellers Podcast, we speak with Pete Scherf, former VP and Head of Enterprise Research & Analytics at Swire Coca-Cola, about how to build high-performance analytics teams inside complex, operational organizations. Pete shares how his team at Swire transformed analytics from a reactive reporting function into a proactive business partner that drives measurable outcomes across sales, marketing, and supply chain. He explains what it takes to scale analytics maturity, how to align analytics goals with frontline priorities, and why leadership, storytelling, and domain empathy are critical to earning trust at the executive table. Pete also reflects on his transition from corporate to advisory work and what enduring principles remain true for any data leader building a world-class analytics culture.