Zinnov Podcast - Business Resilience series

Simplify, Innovate, Lead: The Modern approach to Tech and Business

"If you cannot explain something in a simple way, you probably don’t understand it." These words from Kamal Natarajan, SVP of Allstate Technology Solutions, encapsulate the challenge—and opportunity—facing the insurance industry today.

Technology has become inseparable from business, but the key to transformation lies not in chasing the latest tech, but in simplifying complex systems to improve customer experiences.

In this episode of the Zinnov Podcast: Business Resilience Series, Karthik Padmanabhan, Managing Partner at Zinnov, sits down with Kamal Natarajan to discuss how he is helping transform Allstate into a tech-driven, customer-first organization.

With over two decades of experience, Kamal has built high-performing teams, led large-scale digital transformation initiatives, and pioneered AI-driven innovations that are reshaping how insurance operates. He shares his insights on leveraging Gen AI, automation, and digital ecosystems to not just modernize, but humanize the insurance experience.

"We don’t lead with Gen AI—we lead with empathy," Kamal explains. He discusses how Allstate is experimenting with AI to create conversational, intelligent voice experiences that guide customers through critical moments, ensuring interactions feel natural and supportive rather than robotic.

Beyond technology, Kamal also delves into the cultural shift required for true digital transformation—from empowering engineers to rethink legacy processes to fostering a mindset that values purposeful innovation over complexity. He emphasizes that the future of leadership will not be about technology ownership, but about technology fluency.

"The role of technology organizations is going to fade away. Every leader needs to have a strong technology quotient—knowing how to think with a tech-enabled mindset rather than relying on a CIO to do it for them."

From reimagining customer engagement to reshaping how insurance is delivered, Kamal’s approach offers a blueprint for companies looking to stay ahead in an era of AI-driven disruption.

Woman In The Mirror | BFSI Edition w/Veda Persad, Northern Trust India; Mamatha Madireddy, HSBC Global Service Centres, India; Sirisha Voruganti, Lloyds Technology Centre

In the world of finance, numbers tell stories, but who are the women behind those numbers? The leaders who turn spreadsheets into strategy, setbacks into stepping stones, and challenges into lasting change.

Welcome to this episode of Woman in the Mirror: BFSI Edition where our host, Nitika Goel, CMO, Zinnov, is in conversation with three trailblazers — Veda Persad, Country Executive, Northern Trust India, Mamatha Madireddy, Managing Director & Head of HSBC Global Service Centres (GSCs), India, and Sirisha Voruganti, CEO & Managing Director, Lloyds Technology Centre.

This isn’t a collection of success stories. It’s an honest exploration of grit, resilience, and sisterhood in one of the most demanding industries. It’s about finding comfort in shared experiences, learning from failures, and understanding that struggle is part of the journey—because it’s through those struggles that we grow and rise.

For every leader or aspiring leader who has ever doubted themselves, and for everyone who believes leadership isn’t about fitting in but standing out—this is your moment.

Dive into the stories that matter. Because leadership isn’t a destination—it’s the moments you rise above.

Welcome to Woman in the Mirror. Tune in now!

Woman In The Mirror | Healthcare Edition w/Lene Hylling Axelsson, Novo Nordisk; Kalavathi GV, Siemens Healthineers; Mohua Sengupta, Novartis

Ever wondered what it really takes to lead in healthcare? Not just the strategies and successes, but the quiet moments of doubt, the unexpected triumphs, and the beautiful chaos of balancing it all? In this conversation on Healthcare Leadership, three industry titans take us behind the scenes.

Join Zinnov’s CMO, Nitika Goel, as she sits down with three remarkable women: Lene Hylling Axelsson, Novo Nordisk; Kalavathi GV, Siemens Healthineers; Mohua Sengupta, Novartis—leaders who aren’t just driving change in healthcare but transforming the industry.

Their stories offer a masterclass in modern leadership. Together, they share battle-tested strategies for navigating boardroom dynamics and building high-stakes operations across continents.

What makes their insights so compelling is their honesty about the trade-offs leadership demands. Through reflections on balancing work and life, managing personal sacrifices, and setting boundaries, they provide a practical guide for leaders striving to make an impact while staying authentic in today’s complex global landscape.

The Healthcare Mixtape: CIO & CTO Voices

In this episode of the Business Resilience Series, Healthcare leaders and CIOs discuss how cutting-edge technologies like AI and Automation along with approaches like Telemedicine are transforming the Healthcare industry. From alleviating administrative burdens to enhancing patient care, these innovations are paving the way for more efficient, intelligent hospitals.

With insights from industry experts, we explore the critical role of technology in addressing resource shortages, improving patient outcomes, and combating clinician burnout. Tune in to discover how CIOs are at the helm of this digital transformation to reshape the future of Healthcare.

Guests:

Dr. Luis Taveras, CIO, Author, Lehigh Valley Health Network
Girish Venkatachaliah, Chief Technology Officer, agilon Health
Hema Purohit, CTO – EMEA, Public Sector & Healthcare, Microsoft
Amit Phadnis, Chief Innovation and Technology Officer, RapidAI
Michelle Greene, EVP, Chief Information Officer, Cardinal Health

Mastering Mission-Critical Customer Success ft. Sarv Saravanan

In an era where cyber resilience can make or break a business, how are Enterprise Software companies adapting their customer success strategies? Dive into this compelling episode of the Zinnov Podcast Business Resilience Series, featuring Sarv Saravanan, Chief Customer Officer at Commvault and Pari Natarajan, CEO, Zinnov.

In this fascinating discussion Sarv shares his wealth of experience and provides unique insights into the evolving landscape of customer success. He unveils:

• Commvault's innovative six-phase customer journey
• Cutting-edge metrics for measuring customer success beyond NPS
• The game-changing role of AI in customer self-service and support
• Strategies for effective partner enablement
• The integration of product management within customer success

As a leader steering a global customer success organization, Sarv offers unique perspectives on leveraging diverse teams to swiftly solve complex customer challenges.

Whether you're a tech enthusiast, business leader, or customer success professional, this episode is packed with actionable insights and forward-thinking strategies. Tune in now.

Harnessing AI For Transformative Tech Solutions

In this insightful episode of the Zinnov Podcast Business Resilience Series, Pari Natarajan, CEO of Zinnov, and Vijay Guntur, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Head - Ecosystems & Practices at HCL Technologies, explore the transformative impact of AI on the engineering landscape. The conversation delves into how AI is reshaping various sectors and driving innovation across industries.

Key highlights:
• The importance of ecosystem partnerships in the AI era
• Real-world use cases of AI in e-commerce, healthcare, and software engineering
• Innovative approaches to talent development and the future of AI literacy

This episode offers valuable insights for tech leaders, innovators, and anyone interested in understanding how AI is revolutionizing engineering and business processes. Discover how companies are navigating the AI revolution, simplifying complexity for customers, and preparing the workforce of tomorrow.

Adaptive Leadership, Lasting Impact

In this dynamic episode of the Zinnov Podcast’s Business Resilience Series, Pari Natarajan, CEO of Zinnov, sits down with Krithika Bhat, Chief Information Officer at Pure Storage, for a compelling conversation about leadership and resilience.

Krithika, a seasoned IT leader with over 20 years of experience, reveals her strategic playbook for thriving in high-growth tech environments. Discover how she transformed her approach during her first 100 days at Pure Storage, focusing on teamwork, collaboration, and a growth mindset to drive business success.

She unveils how Pure Storage is revolutionizing the data storage industry with groundbreaking innovations. The discussion underscores the importance of continuous learning and adaptability in today’s fast-paced tech landscape, offering valuable insights for leaders and organizations navigating the complexities of technological advancements. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, a business leader, or someone eager to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving digital landscape, this episode offers invaluable insights and practical strategies to elevate your approach and embrace the future of technology with confidence.

Building a global travel tech powerhouse with Denis Lacroix

In this episode, Pari Natarajan, CEO, Zinnov, sits down with Denis Lacroix, President, Amadeus for over 35 years, to explore the thrilling evolution of the travel industry and its transformative impact on the company. Denis recounts the rollercoaster ride through the COVID-19 pandemic, revealing how Amadeus’ pioneering SaaS business model not only helped them survive a 90% revenue drop but also seize unexpected growth opportunities as airlines reevaluated their strategies. Hear how Amadeus turned crisis into triumph, capturing market share and leading the charge in the travel tech revolution.

Denis also delves into the vibrant, multicultural DNA of Amadeus, which has been a game-changer in building global teams and fostering innovation. Denis also shares insider insights on the cutting-edge trends reshaping travel, from personalized retail experiences to groundbreaking mobile technologies emerging in markets like India. This episode is packed with compelling stories and forward-looking visions that will inspire and excite anyone interested in the future of travel and technology.

Weaving a fabric of innovation with Sheenam Ohrie and Tyler Derr

In this captivating episode of the Zinnov Podcast, Pari Natarajan, CEO of Zinnov, gives us an exclusive look inside Broadridge, a powerhouse in financial technology. Pari sits down with Tyler Derr, Broadridge's Chief Technology Officer, and Sheenam Ohrie, the Managing Director of Broadridge Financial Solutions, India.  

Together, they explore the seismic shifts transforming the Fintech landscape and reveal how Broadridge is not just keeping up, but setting the pace for innovation. Tyler and Sheenam share Broadridge's unique strategy of forging powerful alliances with both tech titans and cutting-edge start-ups, offering listeners a sneak peek into the company's forward-thinking game plan. 

The conversation goes deeper, uncovering how Broadridge cultivates a culture of entrepreneurship, continuous learning, and reverse mentoring. These elements are key to unlocking fresh perspectives and empowering teams to stay ahead of the curve.  

Whether you're a Fintech aficionado or curious about how top companies lead the charge in innovation, this episode is packed with valuable insights and actionable ideas.

Balancing Autonomy and Collaboration in Global Teams with Peter George

Can globally distributed software teams truly unlock their full potential through autonomy and collaboration? Peter George, CTO of HMH, joins Nilesh Thakker, President of Zinnov, to share his battle-tested insights on striking this delicate balance.

• Discover how to balance autonomy and collaboration in globally distributed software teams.
• Learn about the transformative impact of AI tools on software engineering and content creation

Peter dives deep into the transformative power of cutting-edge AI tools like Co-pilot and CodeGPT, exploring how they can augment human ingenuity in software engineering and content creation processes.
Beyond technology, Peter unveils the secrets to nurturing cohesive, high-performing global teams that thrive on shared vision, empowerment, and a culture of excellence. He dissects the intricate dynamics of distributed workforces, offering a treasure trove of actionable strategies for leaders, managers, and team members alike.
Don't miss this invaluable episode packed with game-changing insights!

Tune in now to revolutionize your approach to managing globally distributed software teams and harness the full potential of AI in your organization.