In this podcast episode, Shiv is in conversation with Anees Haidary, Global Head, Operational Excellence, Data Privacy, and Global Workforce Management at Sasken Technologies.

In this engaging episode, Anees shares his remarkable journey in the IT industry, starting from his humble beginnings in a lower-middle-class family in India to becoming a prominent figure in various leadership roles. Anees discusses his educational background in engineering, his early struggles with job interviews, and the pivotal break that led him to a successful career. He emphasizes the importance of self-belief, continuous learning, and the role of mentors in professional growth. Anees also delves into his experiences with various organizations, including IBM, and his current role, where he oversees multiple portfolios including operational excellence and data privacy. Additionally, Anees highlights his involvement in Toastmasters and the BSPIN network, advocating for networking and professional development at any stage of one’s career. He also shares his personal methods for managing time and staying grounded. The episode is filled with practical tips and inspiring anecdotes, making it a valuable listen for anyone in the software industry.

Anees is a Storyteller, Problem Solver, Inventor, Game changer, and Data Privacy and ESG expert.

Being an industry veteran for 25+ years in IT Industry, his role in Leadership at Sasken has helped define a strategy, roadmap & governance mechanism to address business critical problems, Established and sustained the Demand Supply Framework sustaining the core of business, Integrating various cultures post-acquisition, establishing data privacy and information security practice at Sasken among few large initiatives. Being a strong project management enthusiast, and successfully delivered large initiatives jointly with PMI in South Asia, he has been able to deeply influence and integrate world class project management initiatives at Sasken, and various product and services organization in his role as a PMISA champion.

Apart from MBA in HRM, Anees has completed Strategy Thinking Course from IIM Kolkata. Certified in PMP, ITILv3, CSM, ISO 9K, 14K, 27K, 27701 Lead Implementer, ISO 26262 Process Expert, ASPICE v3.1 SME, he has been able to contribute greatly to his organization’s vision and mission 60x4x3. He is also an active public speaker, and chartered Toastmasters Club in his organization, and completed a decade long relationship with Toastmasters International. He is a Certified Public Speaker from Dale Carnegie Institute USA. He heads Project Management Academy, Quality, Customer Experience Management, Data Privacy Office, Audits and Certifications, Special Strategic Initiatives, Delivery Excellence, and Global Workforce Management at Sasken Technologies Limited.

Currently he is the Champion at PMI South Asia and Project Management Mentor at Sasken. He co-authored the PM Competency Development Framework (PMCDF) initiative of Project Management Institute (PMI) and integrated into HR competency management systems at Sasken, and mentored various organizations like CISCO, Cushman and Wakefield, Robert Bosch India, Nokia India on leveraging PMCDF for advancing the noble profession of Project management through continuous assessment of PM competency. Anees is the Core member of Risk Management Committee (RMC) at Sasken reporting into the Risk committee of Sasken Board.

His white papers are published in International and National Journals and Magazines, websites & newsletters of different forums. He received many awards and honors from different organizations in advancing the field of Project Management.

He may be reached at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haidary/

In this podcast episode, Gayatri Kalyanaraman is in conversation with Shubhangi M Josiam, Digital Head APAC of Alstom about her 18+ year journey across GE and Alstom, moving from core IT and infrastructure roles to customer-facing digital transformation leadership across APAC.

Shubangi shares candid stories about career pivots, leadership programs, Lean Six Sigma, building IT from scratch post-acquisition, and navigating cross-cultural teams—ending with powerful advice for women professionals to be bold and go for roles before feeling “fully ready”.

00:00 – 01:50 — Introduction to Shubangi’s APAC digital leadership role and IT’s shift from backend to customer-facing solutions.

01:52 – 04:41 — Early inspiration for engineering, switching from electronics to information science driven by a love for programming.

04:42 – 07:56 — Entering GE through walk-ins, starting in captive IT, and learning end-to-end infrastructure fundamentals.

08:20 – 11:49 — Discovering GE’s leadership culture and choosing Lean Six Sigma for outcome-driven career growth.

12:06 – 14:28 — Leading a consumer experience transformation project and early exposure to Agile and product thinking.

14:29 – 16:08 — Managing ERP operations and learning real-world supply chain complexity during system transitions.

16:08 – 18:09 — Navigating acquisitions, making tough career exits, and prioritising personal sustainability.

18:46 – 23:51 — Joining Alstom during post-acquisition chaos and helping build IT systems from the ground up.

23:51 – 25:50 — Building digital and analytics platforms, hiring data scientists, and scaling analytics maturity.

25:51 – 27:47 — Transitioning into regional IT leadership and driving large-scale digital change during COVID.

27:48 – 29:37 — Moving into customer-facing digital rail solutions across APAC and continuous learning from the market.

30:00 – 32:19 — Managing APAC time zones through clusters while maintaining work–life balance.

32:20 – 36:45 — Leading across cultures by balancing company values with local working styles.

46:46 – 48:36 — Building trust through direct feedback, transparency, and authentic leadership.

48:38 – 50:43 — Final advice: be bold, apply even if you’re not “ready,” and trust yourself to figure it out.

“If you want to do something, go for it. Help will come—and you will figure it out.”

“Men apply saying, ‘I’ll figure it out.’ Women apply saying, ‘I meet only five out of ten requirements.’ That’s what stops us.”

“I didn’t tick all the boxes, but I figured it out.”

“Worst case, you fail. Big deal. You learn. It’s not the end of the world.”

“IT is no longer a backend engine—it’s delivering real digital solutions to customers.”

Trusted Partner in Driving Impactful Digital Transformation & Empowering Businesses Through Technology.

As the Digital Services Regional Head for APAC at Alstom, I drive transformative digital solutions tailored to the rail industry, with a strong focus on operational efficiency and customer engagement. My efforts include collaborating with diverse teams to deliver cutting-edge rail digital solutions while ensuring advanced cybersecurity measures for robust data protection. By aligning technological initiatives with business goals, our team enhances service quality and builds scalable, future-ready solutions for the region.

With over 20 years of experience in IT strategy and transformation, I have a proven track record of delivering impactful results acro…

Shubangi can be reached at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shubhangi-mj/

As we step into 2026, a heartfelt thank you to all our listeners for your time, trust, and continued support. Your engagement, feedback, and encouragement mean a lot to us and inspire us to keep creating meaningful conversations and content.

Wishing you and your loved ones a Happy New Year 2026—may it bring good health, fresh opportunities, and continued learning. Looking forward to growing and learning together in the year ahead!

Here is the link to the AI story mentioned in the podcast

https://youtu.be/wjgbCiZmbEE

Hope you enjoy!!

In this episode, Hasan Siddiqui, a veteran in the IT industry, recounts his extensive and diverse career in the software and technology industry, offering valuable insights and advice along the way.

He starts with his academic beginnings, influenced by the late Professor V Rajaraman, and traces his journey through various pivotal roles at companies like Burroughs, Unisys, and TCS. He discusses his work on significant international projects, his tenure at CBS, his experiences with matrix organizations, corporate politics, and his eventual transition into academic roles and consulting.

Hasan also emphasizes the importance of lifelong learning, maintaining professional relationships, and staying optimistic and adaptable in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

00:00 Technical Difficulties and Introductions

00:52 Early Career and Influential Mentors

02:43 First Major Projects and Overseas Assignments

05:32 Learning and Adapting in France

08:43 Transition to Account Management and Return to India

12:03 Building a Career in Bangalore and Pune

18:31 Navigating Corporate Politics and Final Career Moves

32:03 Introduction to Can Bay and HSBC

32:37 Challenges and Responsibilities at GDC

35:27 Transition to Academia

37:55 Return to Industry and Career Lessons

40:40 Retirement and New Ventures

41:55 Continuous Learning and Technology Trends

45:45 Managing Large Teams and Client Relations

51:51 Networking and Building Relationships

54:09 Retirement Philosophy and Personal Practices

01:00:40 Final Thoughts and Advice

The timestamps are approximate and do not include the time for the intro. Add about 90 seconds to locate the section.

Hasan Siddiqui is an alumnus of IIT Kanpur and an accomplished technology and business education leader in the international IT industry spanning corporate strategy, business development, GDC/ODC set up and operations, talent management and academics.

He has played senior management roles at Cap Gemini, Tata Consultancy Services, Tech Mahindra, Covansys and Symbiosis university.

He may be reached at: it.career.lighthouse@gmail.com

My guest today is Ravikiran Pothukuchi, the leader of Dassault Systèmes’ Enterprise Portfolio business in India.

In this conversation, Ravi shares his journey from his humble beginnings in a small village in India to becoming a key player in Dassault Systems' business landscape.

Ravi dives deep into his upbringing, education, and multiple career transitions that shaped his professional life. Key highlights include his transition from an R&D role to a customer-facing role, the importance of building human connections, the value of curiosity, and how he integrated traditional knowledge with modern business strategies.

Notable quotes and insights punctuate the narrative, offering valuable lessons on adaptability, resilience, and the power of networking.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:36 Early Life and Education

03:26 Higher Education and Career Beginnings

13:24 Transition to Business Development

19:14 Leadership and Team Management

26:39 Transitioning to Customer-Facing Roles

27:33 The Challenges of Business Development

31:30 The Importance of Networking

35:21 Building Genuine Connections

40:05 Navigating Career Transitions

46:22 Personal Practices for Staying Grounded

47:02 The Five Cs Framework for Success

49:46 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The timestamps are approximate, and after the intro that is about 90 seconds.

For more closer timestamps, add 90 seconds to the labels above

Ravikiran Pothukuchi is the leader of Dassault Systèmes’ Enterprise Portfolio business in India. In this role, he is responsible for defining the business strategy to expand the company’s Portfolio presence in India’s rapidly growing economic sectors.

Ravikiran began his career with Dassault Systèmes in 2004, initially working in various roles within the Research and Development (R&D) organization before transitioning to business development in 2011. In 2017, he assumed responsibility for increasing market share across the company’s core industry vertical, achieving a year-over-year double-digit growth for five consecutive years. He is now entrusted with the responsibility of tapping the growth potential of Dassault Systèmes’ Enterprise portfolio while diversifying into new industries and segments.

Ravikiran holds degrees from prestigious institutions, IIT-Madras and IIM-Bangalore. He is also a DAAD scholar and a member of several industry organizations, including SAE and IFCCI.

Ravi may be reached at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravikiran-pothukuchi-47750312/?originalSubdomain=in

In this episode of the Software People Stories, my guest Ben Wilcox is the Chief Technology Officer and Chief Information Security Officer at ProArch.

Ben shares his fascinating journey from building a web hosting business as a teenager to his current role as CTO and CISO at ProArch. Ben discusses the evolution of his career, his involvement in various projects, and the ever-changing landscape of security, especially with the advent of AI. He also provides valuable insights into how enterprises should approach security, the complexities of data localization, and the importance of a continuous security model. The conversation also delves into career advice for aspiring IT and security professionals.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:42 Early Career and Web Hosting Business

02:49 Transition to Software Development

03:51 Joining Advisor Group and Pro

05:06 Challenges of Running a Business as a Teenager

07:55 Learning and Growth in a Larger Company

09:14 Becoming a CISO and Security Focus

12:21 Evolving Security Landscape and AI

15:01 Data Security and Insider Risk Management

20:51 Zero Trust Environments and Legacy Systems

23:58 Sleepless Nights and Security Concerns

25:50 Balancing Innovation and Security

26:11 Finding Joy in Leadership

26:54 Navigating the CTO and CISO Roles

28:55 Keeping Up with Technology Trends

31:27 Hyper-Personalization and Security Risks

36:02 The Role of Open Source in Security

41:03 Career Advice for Aspiring Security Professionals

45:35 The Impact of AI on Security Jobs

49:11 Conclusion and Contact Information

The timestamps are approximate, and after the intro that is about 90 seconds.

For more closer timestamps, add 90 seconds to the labels above

Ben Wilcox is the Chief Technology Officer and Chief Information Security Officer at ProArch, where he leads the company’s cloud, security, and AI enablement strategy. With more than 20 years of experience spanning software engineering, cybersecurity, and enterprise architecture, Ben helps organizations modernize their technology foundations while navigating the evolving threat landscape.

Ben’s career began in hands-on development and infrastructure work, giving him a deep technical grounding that informs his leadership today. He has built and led high-performing engineering teams, guided complex cloud migrations, and designed modern security programs that balance innovation with risk management. At ProArch, he works closely with clients to architect AI-ready, scalable systems that drive business transformation.

Connect with Ben: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-wilcox

In this episode of Software People Stories, Shiv is in conversation with Yaron Schneider, co-founder of Diagrid and a seasoned developer and entrepreneur deeply involved in the open source movement.

Yaron shares his origin story, starting from programming at age 11 to his current role as co-founder of Diagrid. He discusses his early foray into university education, experience in the military, and his progression within the software industry, including a notable tenure at Microsoft.

Yaron delves into the joys and pains of working in open source, detailing the challenges and rewards of maintaining a project with thousands of contributors and balancing corporate and community needs. The discussion also touches on the complexities of scaling in hybrid environments, the risks associated with supply chain attacks, and the evolving role of developers in the age of AI and low-code solutions.

Yaron concludes by offering advice for those aspiring to contribute to open source and sharing personal strategies for managing the stresses of startup life.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:25 Yaron's Origin Story

02:39 Joys and Pains of Open Source

05:21 Challenges of Open Source Coordination

06:14 Role Differences: Architect vs. CTO

08:21 Corporate Influence on Open Source

10:00 On-Prem vs. Cloud-Based Models

11:34 Scalability in Hybrid Environments

13:22 Introduction to Dapper and D Grid

18:05 Security and Supply Chain Challenges

23:27 Low-Code and No-Code Development

25:29 Transition from Corporate to Startup

27:04 Balancing Work and Personal Life

28:31 Music and Software Development Parallels

31:14 Getting Involved in Open Source

32:21 Future of AI and Software Jobs

33:50 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The timestamps are approximate, and after the intro that is about 90 seconds.

For more closer timestamps, add 90 seconds to the labels above

Yaron Schneider is a visionary technologist and open source pioneer who has fundamentally shaped how developers build distributed applications. As co-creator of Dapr and KEDA—both graduated CNCF projects—he has enabled tens of thousands of enterprises to build more resilient, scalable cloud-native systems. Dapr is currently used by an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 enterprise users worldwide, while KEDA adoption may be even broader, though it is more difficult to estimate precisely.

Now co-founder of Diagrid, Yaron is building the next generation of platforms that make it easier to develop and operate distributed applications and AI agents. His deep expertise in distributed systems, combined with years of leadership at Microsoft on scalable cloud architecture, positions him at the forefront of the agentic AI revolution.

Recognized as an industry innovator in open source and platform engineering, Yaron bridges the gap between cutting-edge research and practical developer tools. His work continues to define how modern applications are built, deployed, and scaled in the cloud-native era.