Sid Kumar, Head of Global GTM Strategy & Planning at Databricks, joins host Mudassar Malik on Behind the Growth to unpack what it really takes to design and run a connected go-to-market engine—one that aligns across marketing, sales, customer success, and operations, from first touch to renewal.

Sid shares hard-earned lessons from leading GTM functions at CA Technologies, Amazon, HubSpot, and now Databricks. He walks through what it means to think of go-to-market as a closed-loop system instead of a linear process, and why shared language, unified metrics, and functional accountability across the full customer lifecycle are non-negotiables at scale. Along the way, he explains how concepts like HubSpot’s “flywheel” and Amazon’s input-output discipline shaped how he approaches alignment, planning, and operating rhythm.

The conversation also tackles the balance between centralization and regional autonomy—particularly in planning and compensation design—and how Sid works to ensure standardization never disconnects from field realities. He talks about the role of regional GTM COOs and the importance of feedback loops from country-level teams back into global processes.

Finally, Sid dives deep into how AI is reshaping GTM workflows—from prospecting and rep productivity to strategic operations and RevOps. He shares clear use cases, practical advice, and a firm reminder to start with the workflows, not the tech. For enterprise leaders looking to modernize how their organizations go to market, this is a conversation worth pausing for.

Sid dives into topics like:
- AI’s role in RevOps strategy
- Connecting funnel stages into one system
- Centralizing planning without losing nuance
- Time-and-motion studies for workflow clarity
- How shared language drives accountability

Visit mobilelive.ca/podcast to learn more about each guest and read key insights for every episode.

Hamza Qamar, Senior Director of Product, Innovation & Design at mobileLIVE, joins Mudassar Malik on Behind the Growth to break down what it really takes to lead product innovation inside enterprise environments—and why technical talent alone doesn’t cut it.

Starting with a story from his early days as a software engineer, Hamza explains how a single round of informal user conversations reshaped not only a feature, but his entire approach to product leadership.

Throughout the conversation, Hamza lays out a practical framework for managing uncertainty across the product lifecycle—balancing experimentation, iteration, and scale by asking two deceptively simple questions: How certain are we that this adds value for users? And how urgently does the business need results? He explains how this model has helped him make sharper decisions while still giving room for exploration.

The conversation moves into how AI is influencing the product function, with Hamza highlighting the shift from spreadsheet-heavy reporting to conversational analytics that accelerate understanding and action. He shares how he’s using these tools with teams today—not just to extract insights, but to turn data into collaborative decision-making moments.

Finally, Hamza reflects on the leadership behaviours that drive consistent performance in product teams. From shared ownership to inclusive problem-solving, he emphasizes the need for environments where creativity and accountability can coexist. For product and technology leaders navigating scale, pace, and complexity, this episode offers a grounded, execution-first lens on innovation that delivers.

Hamza shares his perspective on:
- Scaling without sacrificing user insight
- Being cautious of misleading data
- Testing trends instead of chasing them
- Measuring true product innovation impact
- Lessons from telecom product misfires

Visit mobilelive.ca/podcast to learn more about each guest and read key insights for every episode.

Justin Bundick, Managing Director of AI and Data Transformation at Southwest Airlines, joins host Imran Mian to explore the real-world complexities of scaling AI in one of the world’s most operationally intense industries. With a focus on turning experimentation into enterprise impact, Justin outlines what most organizations overlook when moving beyond pilots—highlighting the critical role of infrastructure, data readiness, governance, and change management.

He shares the story behind the Leading Indicators Alert Tool (LIAT), a predictive system that uses hundreds of real-time and historical data points to forecast operational disruptions 24 hours in advance. Built on Southwest’s integrated data foundation and cloud-native platforms, Liat exemplifies how AI can shift from insights to action—if embedded correctly into workflows and decision-making.

Throughout the episode, Justin stresses the importance of human-centred design and empathy-driven AI development. He explains how his team begins by deeply immersing themselves in business processes to ensure AI solutions are not only technically sound but also usable and trusted by the people they serve. The conversation also explores Southwest’s partnerships with AWS and Anthropic, and how these collaborations enable rapid development and responsible scaling of both traditional and generative AI.

For technology and business leaders aiming to move AI out of the lab and into production—without losing momentum or mission—this episode offers a tactical, no-fluff perspective from the frontlines of enterprise transformation.

Justin shares his perspective on:

- Operationalising AI in complex environments
- Forecasting disruption through predictive modelling
- Embedding AI into business workflows
- Breaking down barriers to AI scale
- Driving AI outcomes with cloud strategy

Visit mobilelive.ca/podcast to learn more about each guest and read key insights for every episode.

Vipul Lalka, Vice President of Canadian Personal Banking Digital Transformation and Strategy at TD, joins Behind the Growth to discuss how technology is reshaping banking. He breaks down the challenges and opportunities in driving digital adoption, from modernizing legacy systems to meeting evolving customer expectations.

He shares insights on TD’s approach to digital strategy—balancing innovation with security, enhancing customer experiences, and staying ahead in a competitive landscape. Vipul also highlights the role of AI, automation, and data-driven decision-making in shaping the bank’s future.

Imran and Vipul dive into the human side of transformation, exploring how culture, leadership, and collaboration drive change. From redefining customer journeys to navigating regulatory frameworks, this episode unpacks the key elements of digital banking success. Whether you're in financial services or leading digital change in another industry, Vipul’s expertise offers valuable takeaways.

Vipul shared his perspective on:
- Aligning technology with business
- Engaging digital banking customers
- Differentiating in the technology space
- The value in nurturing your network
- Navigating career transitions and progression

Visit mobilelive.ca/podcast to learn more about each guest and read key insights for every episode.

In this episode of Behind the Growth, Imran Mian speaks with Shalu Bains, Chief Information and Analytics Officer at Trillium Health Partners, about the vital role of technology and analytics in modern healthcare. Shalu shares how her non-clinical background enables her to drive impactful change through data-driven solutions, emphasizing the importance of understanding client needs and supporting them through technological transitions. She highlights the effectiveness of co-designing solutions and maintaining open communication during large-scale transformations.

Shalu discusses how Trillium Health Partners leverages data to understand community health needs, enhance capacity planning, and address health equity gaps. She offers practical examples of how data-driven insights inform decision-making and improve patient care.

Finally, Shalu provides valuable advice for aspiring leaders in digital health and analytics. She emphasizes the importance of gaining a deep understanding of the healthcare system, cultivating a strong professional network, and seeking guidance from mentors. Shalu encourages listeners to embrace change and innovation to make a meaningful impact in this dynamic field.

Shalu shares insights on:

– Co-designing solutions with frontline staff
– Understanding community health needs
– Addressing health equity gaps
– The dependence on data in healthcare
– Cultivating a strong professional network

Visit mobilelive.ca/podcast to learn more about each guest and read key insights for every episode.

In this episode of Behind the Growth, host Imran Mian speaks with Saby Waraich, CIO and CISO at Clackamas Community College, about transformative leadership and the evolving role of technology in education. Saby shares his unique leadership framework, CARES (Communicate, Adapt, Relationships, Empathy, Stay Calm), which emphasizes compassion and adaptability in navigating organizational change. He delves into the pitfalls of fear-based management and explains how trust and empowerment drive meaningful transformation.

The conversation also explores the intersection of technology and leadership. Saby highlights the accelerating impact of AI and cybersecurity on the education sector, stressing the need for organizations to adapt quickly to technological advancements. He shares real-world examples of leveraging generative AI to streamline operations and discusses the importance of public-private partnerships in preparing students for future workforce demands.

Through personal stories, Saby illustrates how leaders can inspire teams, overcome challenges, and foster resilience in high-pressure environments.

Saby shares his insights on:
- Preventing transformation failures
- Public-private collaborations
- Setting clear expectations
- Building stronger team relationships
- Accelerating decision-making

Visit mobilelive.ca/podcast to learn more about each guest and read key insights for every episode.

In this episode of Behind the Growth, Holly Heglin, Head of AI Product & Strategy at Layer 6 AI discusses AI innovation and operational transformation with host Imran Mian. A seasoned leader in AI strategy and governance, Holly dives into the critical challenges of scaling AI solutions in heavily regulated environments like banking, balancing the need for innovation with stringent governance. She discusses how organizations can address these challenges through agile approaches and strong governance processes to mitigate risks while ensuring business value.

Further delving into how her career evolved alongside the expanding AI field, taking on various roles from proof-of-concept to production-grade GenAI solutions, Holly emphasizes her approach to "delivery excellence," which combines structured processes with creative problem-solving. She explains how this method, along with improved stakeholder interaction, has significantly reduced delivery times for AI solutions.

An advocate for democratizing AI tools, she stresses the need to balance broader access with strong governance to enable business users to explore and hypothesize solutions before engaging specialized talent for production.

Finally, Holly shares her insights into the future of AI, especially with the rapid evolution of generative AI and its potential for both operational efficiency and ethical concerns. With a focus on responsible AI practices, she highlights the importance of advancing transparency, testing, and learning when deploying AI systems.

The discussion concludes with insights on the creation of a formalized job family for AI product delivery at TD Bank, showcasing how an agile, product-minded approach to AI has enhanced responsiveness to business needs and drastically cut delivery timelines.

Holly shares her thoughts on:

- Balancing AI governance with innovation
- Overcoming stakeholder alignment issues
- Democratizing AI tools for business
- Embracing an agile product mindset
- Navigating AI uncertainty

Visit mobilelive.ca/podcast to learn more about each guest and read key insights for every episode.

In this episode of Behind the Growth, Dr. Brian Gardner, Interim CIO for the City of Dallas, discusses cybersecurity and the unique challenges of managing a diverse IT department in the public sector. Drawing from his transition from forensic accounting to IT leadership with host Imran Mian, he details his passion for information security and public service, highlighting the importance of balancing cybersecurity, digital transformation, and AI initiatives within limited budgets.

Dr. Gardner shares examples of several successful innovation projects, including implementing a software-defined wide area network and city-wide multi-factor authentication. He emphasizes the need to reduce technical debt to free up resources for innovation. He further discusses the influence of AI on cybersecurity strategies, noting both the opportunities and risks it presents.

Discussing his involvement with the Coalition of City CISOs, he emphasizes the value of collaboration in this space. He also shares his personal experience of fostering children and how it has shaped his leadership perspective. Finally, he offers advice for aspiring IT leaders, cybersecurity professionals, and those considering public service.

Dr. Gardner shares his insights on

- Managing IT in the public sector
- Reducing technical debt with innovation
- Balancing security with user experience
- Enhancing threat detection with AI
- Collaborating in municipal cybersecurity

Visit mobilelive.ca/podcast to learn more about each guest and read key insights for every episode.