Vijay Sankaran on Digitizing Johnson Controls and the Future of Smart Buildings
1004: How can AI, digitization, and data create smarter, healthier, and more sustainable buildings?
In this episode of Technovation, host Peter High welcomes Vijay Sankaran, Chief Digital and Information Officer of Johnson Controls, a global leader in smart building technologies. Vijay shares how he’s leading enterprise-wide digital transformation across a $23B company while scaling platforms like OpenBlue to optimize energy, equipment, and workplace performance.
He unpacks how traditional machine learning, generative AI, and agentic workflows are converging to deliver predictive insights, autonomous actions, and tailored digital experiences. Vijay also reflects on trends in hybrid work, his journey to board membership at Veralto, and why quantum computing is on his innovation radar.
Key topics include:
AI-driven optimization of HVAC, energy use, and building health
OpenBlue’s role in unifying smart building systems
Applying generative and agentic AI to customer and employee experiences
Trends in workplace utilization and digital transformation at scale
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Chris Isaacson on Resilient Market Infrastructure and Tech Leadership at Cboe
1003: “Resilience is a mindset.” Chris Isaacson, Chief Operating Officer of Cboe Global Markets, joins Technovation host Peter High to discuss how the global exchange operator delivers trusted, 24/7 markets through technology, operational excellence, and a deeply integrated data strategy.
A founding employee of BATS Global Markets and former CIO of both BATS and Cboe, Chris reflects on his two-decade journey scaling from startup to enterprise. He shares insights on building fault-tolerant platforms, organizing global teams for growth, and navigating crises like the flash crash and COVID with calm, systems-level thinking. Chris also explores the future of exchange operations, from AI-powered security and timestamping services to data commercialization and agentic software development.
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Executive Talent in the Age of Transformation | Summit May 2025
How are companies redefining what it means to be a technology leader?
In this episode of Technovation, we feature a panel recorded at our most recent Metis Strategy Summit, where Steven Norton moderated a discussion on executive talent and leadership transformation. Panelists include Joon Yoon, Global Co-Head of the Tech Officers Practice at Egon Zehnder; Tony Leng, Managing Partner at H.I. Executive Consulting; and Eric Sigurdson, Head of the CIO Practice at Russell Reynolds Associates.
Together, they explore how evolving business needs, AI, and shifting workplace norms are reshaping the archetype of modern tech leaders and the boardroom roles they’re increasingly poised to step into.
Key insights include:
Three emerging archetypes of technology executives
Why self-awareness and “leading from the inside” matter more than ever
The growing boardroom presence of tech-savvy leaders
How AI is changing C-suite titles, expectations, and accountability
The shift from operational excellence to customer-facing innovation
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How Breakthru Beverage’s CIO Is Building an AI-Ready, Data-Driven Sales Engine
1001: How do you digitally transform a leading beverage distributor across 16 markets?
In this episode of Technovation, host Peter High speaks with Glenn Remoreras, Chief Information Officer of Breakthru Beverage Group, a family-owned company with $8.6B in annual revenue and operations across the US and Canada. Glenn shares how he is driving innovation, scaling AI adoption, and modernizing the company’s sales and operational processes.
From expanding a $500M+ B2B e-commerce platform to building data architecture that fuels AI innovation, Glenn outlines his strategy for becoming the distributor of choice in a competitive industry. He also reflects on lessons from global leadership roles and offers insights into fostering AI literacy across an organization’s executive ranks.
Key topics include:
Breakthru’s digital marketplace and AI-powered sales enablement
Cloud transformation and enterprise data strategy
Building a culture of AI literacy and scalable use cases
Innovation operating models and business-led technology partnerships
Leadership lessons from working in Asia, Europe, and North America
1000: From Hollywood mogul to venture capital visionary, Jeffrey Katzenberg’s story is one of bold bets, iconic storytelling, and relentless reinvention. In this milestone 1000th episode of Technovation, host Peter High welcomes Katzenberg to reflect on a remarkable career spanning five decades across film, animation, and now AI-driven venture investing.
As the founding partner of WndrCo, Katzenberg backs transformative companies like Netomi (conversational AI), Writer (enterprise GenAI), Alembic (causal AI), and Aura (consumer digital safety). But long before that, he shaped global pop culture as President of Paramount Pictures, Chairman of Walt Disney Studios, and Co-Founder of DreamWorks SKG and DreamWorks Animation.
In this wide-ranging and candid conversation, Katzenberg shares:
Why the best ideas are risky and why failure is essential to success
How DreamWorks was launched just 8 days after being fired from Disney
Leadership lessons from icons like Barry Diller and David Geffen
The real story behind building Hollywood’s most beloved franchises
Why AI is both “prose” and “poetry” and what that means for creativity
How WndrCo is scaling category-defining businesses across tech
This episode explores 50 years of transformation, from The Lion King to Shrek, from studio boardrooms to Silicon Valley pitch rooms. A must-listen for anyone interested in creativity, leadership, and what it takes to build at scale.
About Technovation with Peter High (CIO, CTO, CDO, CXO Interviews)
Twice-weekly conversations with top executives and thought leaders at the intersection of business, technology, and innovation. Each episode of Technovation explores the technology trends that are transforming business, and the leaders driving digital change inside their organizations. Produced by Metis Strategy and hosted by firm President Peter High, Technovation is the premier podcast for IT and technology professionals with the largest collection of interviews with elite CIOs, CTOs, and CDOs.
Listen to Technovation with Peter High (CIO, CTO, CDO, CXO Interviews), Money For Couples with Ramit Sethi and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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