Silver Creek Insights

30. Can Social Media Fix Loneliness? The Kornerz Story | Mental Health Tech Startup

What if social media actually helped people feel less alone? In this episode of the Silver Creek Insights Podcast, host Felisa Wiley sits down with Khalil Jezini, Founder of Kornerz Social Network, and Rich Dornisch, Chief Operating Officer at Kornerz, to explore a bold mission: building a mental-health-focused social platform designed to create real connection instead of digital loneliness. Kornerz is rethinking what a social network can be — shifting from attention-driven algorithms to community-driven experiences that prioritize authenticity, mental wellbeing, and meaningful interaction. In this conversation, we explore: • The rise of digital loneliness in modern social media • Why community-driven platforms are the future of online interaction • Building a values-first tech startup in a crowded social media landscape • The challenge of subscription fatigue and sustainable platform models • How founders design technology that supports mental health • The intersection of entrepreneurship, community, and digital wellbeing Khalil shares the entrepreneurial journey that led to Kornerz, while Rich brings perspective on scaling technology, operations, and community platforms. If you're interested in startup innovation, social platforms, mental health technology, or community-focused entrepreneurship, this episode offers valuable insights into the future of social connection. 🚀 Want to turn your data into actionable insight? Explore Silver Creek’s analytics and AI solutions: 👉 https://silvercreek.ai [https://silvercreek.ai]

29. CIO Leadership in the Age of AI, Cloud & Cybersecurity

What does modern CIO leadership look like in an era defined by AI, cloud migration, cybersecurity threats, and enterprise transformation? In Episode 29 of Silver Creek Insights, we sit down with Praveen Kamsetti, CIO and digital transformation leader, to explore how today’s technology executives must balance operational excellence with empathetic leadership. This conversation covers: • CIO digital transformation in complex global enterprises • Cloud migration challenges and hybrid infrastructure lessons • AI governance in enterprise environments • Cybersecurity resilience and disaster recovery leadership • Operational excellence at scale • Breaking down silos through shared support models • The role of empathy and accountability in executive leadership Praveen shares powerful real-world lessons—from leading post-9/11 disaster recovery operations to integrating 20 facilities across nine countries, to driving Oracle ERP modernization at one-third of projected vendor cost. He also discusses his newly published book: “The 4L Framework for Modern Leadership.” Leadership has evolved. Have you? In today’s landscape of rapid disruption, the methods that worked yesterday can cause failure tomorrow. Success is no longer about choosing between people or profits—it requires mastery of both. In The 4L Framework for Modern Leadership, Praveen introduces a practical and human-centered model for tech leaders: • Lead with empathy • Lead for business results • Lead by example • Lead with emotional intelligence The book provides a tangible toolkit to harmonize business growth with human connection—equipping leaders in the boardroom or the breakroom to lead with confidence, agility, vision, and accountability. If you are a CIO, CTO, enterprise architect, IT executive, or aspiring technology leader, this episode is a masterclass in resilient and responsible leadership. 🌐 Learn how Silver Creek supports enterprise digital transformation and AI governance atwww.silvercreek.ai [http://www.silvercreek.ai]🎧 Subscribe for more conversations on data, AI, and tech leadership.

28. Building Modern Data Systems: Spark, Delta Lake, and Data Governance

In Episode 28 of the Silver Creek Insights Podcast, we sit down with Sergio Cuoto, Senior Data Engineer at Adevinta (Spain), to explore what modern data engineering really looks like in practice. Sergio breaks down the realities of building scalable data systems with Apache Spark and Delta Lake, why data governance is no longer optional, and how organizations must rethink culture, education, and career growth to successfully adopt new technologies. We also dive into the human side of data engineering—teaching, mentorship, and the mindset shifts required for teams to evolve alongside rapidly changing tools. This episode is a must-listen for data engineers, analytics leaders, and anyone navigating the intersection of technology, governance, and people in modern data platforms. 🎧 Listen now and explore how we help organizations build reliable, future-ready data systems atwww.silvercreek.ai [http://www.silvercreek.ai]

27. Design, Data, and Buy-In: Inside Digital Transformation with Yigit Karanfil

Digital transformation in architecture isn’t just about adopting new tools — it’s about aligning people, process, and creativity. In Episode 27 of the Silver Creek Insights Podcast, Yigit Karanfil, Director of Technology at INSTUDIO, joins us to unpack what design technology leadership looks like in the real world. From automating creative workflows to earning leadership buy-in, Yigit shares lessons from working at the intersection of architecture, engineering, and technology. We dive into change management in creative organizations, the importance of soft skills in tech leadership, and how multidisciplinary career paths shape better outcomes for teams navigating digital transformation. This episode is for design leaders, technologists, and anyone trying to bridge creativity and technology without losing either. 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube 🌐 Learn how Silver Creek helps organizations lead digital transformation with clarity and confidence atwww.silvercreek.ai [http://www.silvercreek.ai]

26. The Human Side of AI Strategy, Governance, and Deployment

AI isn’t just a technical challenge — it’s a societal one. In Episode 26 of the Silver Creek Insights Podcast, Julian Plotnick, Founder of 4 Day Philly, joins us to unpack what it really takes to deploy AI responsibly in the real world. From agentic AI models and data infrastructure to public policy, governance, and workforce impact, this conversation explores how technology decisions ripple far beyond engineering teams. We dig into how organizations can balance innovation with regulation, why human-centered design matters more than ever, and what leaders need to understand as AI moves from experimentation to production. This episode is for builders, policymakers, and executives thinking seriously about the future of AI and the people it affects. 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube 🌐 Learn more about our work atwww.silvercreek.ai [http://www.silvercreek.ai]