How Freudenberg Built a Startup-Style Innovation Engine for Emerging Tech

How SailPoint’s CIO Is Securing AI Agents, Machine Identities, and Enterprise

As AI agents gain access to enterprise systems, identity security is becoming the control layer for responsible AI adoption. In this episode of Technovation, Peter High speaks with Sree Kancharla, CIO of SailPoint, about how identity governance is evolving from managing human access to securing machine identities, AI agents, and autonomous workflows. Sree discusses SailPoint’s role as “Customer Zero,” the growing challenge of shadow AI, the importance of governance that enables innovation, and how organizations can balance productivity gains with responsible risk management. He also shares his perspective on persona-based AI experiences, human-led agents, and the workforce implications of AI for the next generation of technology professionals. Key topics include: * Why AI agents require a new approach to identity security * How SailPoint manages shadow AI across the enterprise * The role of Customer Zero in driving product innovation * Moving from human-in-the-loop to human-led agents * Preparing future technology talent in an AI-driven world This episode is presented by Celonis — Give AI the context it needs. Learn more at celonis.com/technovation [https://campaigns.celonis.com/context-matters?utm_source=technovation&utm_medium=podcastl&utm_campaign=brand_campaign_enterprise_ai&utm_content=null&utm_term=null] [https://www.metisstrategy.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/CELONIS_LOGO_BLACK-1-320x134.png]

Stephen Ward on Why Great Cybersecurity Leaders Think Beyond Technology

Cybersecurity leadership isn’t ultimately about technology, it’s about judgment, influence, and the ability to lead through uncertainty. In this episode of Technovation, Peter High speaks with Stephen Ward, cybersecurity executive, investor, and former security leader at several large enterprises. Stephen reflects on his unconventional journey from government service to corporate cybersecurity leadership and ultimately technology investing. Along the way, he shares lessons on building security organizations, navigating risk, developing executive influence, and preparing for a future increasingly shaped by AI. Key discussion topics include: * The transition from cybersecurity operator to executive leader * Building trust while transforming security organizations * Lessons learned from leading large-scale security programs * Why leadership skills matter as much as technical expertise * The evolving relationship between AI and cybersecurity * What separates enduring technology companies from the rest

How Freudenberg Built a Startup-Style Innovation Engine for Emerging Tech

How does a 177-year-old industrial company maintain startup speed while preparing for technologies that may not mature for another decade? In this episode of Technovation, Peter High speaks with Vishwanath Hegadekatte, Director of Innovation at Freudenberg Technology Innovation (FTI), about building an internal innovation engine designed to identify, test, and scale emerging technologies across a global manufacturing enterprise. Vishwanath explains how Freudenberg combines strategic foresight, AI-driven research, external partnerships, and startup-style experimentation to help its business units prepare for opportunities years before they become mainstream. The conversation explores humanoid robotics, agentic AI, advanced materials, and the organizational structures required to turn innovation into measurable business impact. This episode is presented by Celonis — Give AI the context it needs. Learn more at celonis.com/technovation [https://campaigns.celonis.com/context-matters?utm_source=technovation&utm_medium=podcastl&utm_campaign=brand_campaign_enterprise_ai&utm_content=null&utm_term=null] [https://www.metisstrategy.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/CELONIS_LOGO_BLACK-1-320x134.png]

How Curt Garner Built Chipotle’s $5B Digital Commerce Engine

Most digital transformation stories begin with customer-facing technology. Chipotle’s began by redesigning operations. In this episode of Technovation, Peter High speaks with Curt Garner, President, Chief Strategy & Technology Officer at Chipotle Mexican Grill. Curt shares how Chipotle evolved from accepting fax orders in 2015 to operating a $5 billion digital commerce engine today. He explains why solving operational challenges before customer adoption proved critical to scaling digital growth and how cloud architecture, dedicated digital kitchens, rewards, personalization, and AI-enabled supply chain capabilities continue to drive innovation across the business. Key topics discussed include: * Building a digital commerce platform capable of operating at web scale * Scaling from 20% to 85% digital ordering during COVID * Designing dedicated digital kitchens to eliminate fulfillment friction * Using rewards and personalization to deepen customer engagement * Applying AI to forecasting, inventory management, and supply chain operations * Balancing technology innovation with human hospitality This episode is presented by Celonis — Give AI the context it needs. Learn more at celonis.com/technovation [https://campaigns.celonis.com/context-matters?utm_source=technovation&utm_medium=podcastl&utm_campaign=brand_campaign_enterprise_ai&utm_content=null&utm_term=null] [https://www.metisstrategy.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/CELONIS_LOGO_BLACK-1-320x134.png]

Inside Southwest’s Modernization Journey: Resilience and Operational Excellence

Southwest Airlines has spent the last several years modernizing one of the most complex operational environments in the world. In this episode of Technovation, Lauren Woods, EVP and CIO of Southwest Airlines, shares how the company transformed a period of operational disruption into a catalyst for long-term technology modernization and resilience. Lauren discusses Southwest’s investments in modern data platforms, predictive analytics, cloud infrastructure, AI-enabled operations, cybersecurity, and customer experience transformation. She also explains the technology behind major commercial changes, including assigned seating, new fare structures, and evolving digital experiences. Key topics include: * Building operational resilience through proactive analytics * Creating the data foundation required for AI at scale * Leveraging machine learning across airline operations * Modernizing legacy systems while maintaining reliability * Leading large-scale organizational and cultural transformation This episode is presented by Celonis — Give AI the context it needs. Learn more at celonis.com/technovation [https://campaigns.celonis.com/context-matters?utm_source=technovation&utm_medium=podcastl&utm_campaign=brand_campaign_enterprise_ai&utm_content=null&utm_term=null] [https://www.metisstrategy.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/CELONIS_LOGO_BLACK-1-320x134.png]