Innovation UnderCover

Episode 22 - We Just Need to Do and Show - Marianna Bonanome - Head of Education Outreach - SandboxAQ

Innovation Undercover enjoyed talking with Marianna Bonanome [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mbonanome/], Head of Education Outreach at SandboxAQ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/sandboxaq/]. SandboxAQ brings Quantum Tech and AI together to solve challenging problems impacting society.  Quantum computing is a revolutionary approach that speeds up solutions to complex and previously unsolvable problems faster and more accurately.. According to McKinsey & Company [https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/mckinsey-digital/our-insights/quantum-technology-sees-record-investments-progress-on-talent-gap], industries like life sciences, chemicals, automotive, and financial services will potentially gain $1,3 trillion in value by 2023 with the help of quantum. Renu and Michael dove into the fascinating futuristic world of quantum computing with Marianna, who succinctly summarises the three verticals at SandboxAQ and why they matter. You will also be inspired to explore the details of quantum resistance, simulation, optimization, navigation, cryptography, and many other things this immense technology offers. Some of the topics we discussed: 1. Exploring ways to shore up existing security protocols to make them quantum resistant 2. Talent: Pull in the brightest, the best, and the brightest from across multi-disciplines together 3. Education: Setting up a minor degree program in quantum engineering 4. Working with the US AirForce 5. Diversity tipping point for Quantum and the opportunities it presents Other titles we considered: 1. That’s Just One Piece of What We Do, a Tiny Piece 2. The Education Vertical:  It Underpins Everything 3. We Need to Kind of Bring the World Along With Us 4. We Need to Build the Skill Set for the Future Workforce 5. We See the Fruits, It’s Blossoming This episode was produced by Khrystyna Khmilovska [https://www.linkedin.com/in/khrystyna-khmilovska-25394a197/].

Episode 21 - Uniting People for Success - Dominique Reese - Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Plug and Play Tech Center & Laura Miller- VP of Customer Success & Voxel

Innovation Undercover loved chatting with Dominique Reese [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominique-reese-aa9698172/], Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Plug and Play Tech Center [https://www.linkedin.com/company/plug-and-play-tech-center/] & Laura Miller [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lamille/], VP of Customer Success at Voxel [https://www.linkedin.com/company/voxelai/]. Plug and Play Tech Center is one of the most prominent venture capitalists in Silicon Valley and the world’s largest innovation platform.  According to Pew Research Center, most of the ethnic workforce other than Asians are underrepresented in the STEM industries, except for Asians. The share of Black employees in tech industries was 9% [https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2021/04/01/stem-jobs-see-uneven-progress-in-increasing-gender-racial-and-ethnic-diversity/], and Hispanics were at  8% [https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2021/04/01/stem-jobs-see-uneven-progress-in-increasing-gender-racial-and-ethnic-diversity/]. Gender inequality also persists even among white workers. White females annually earn $30 000 [https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2021/04/01/stem-jobs-see-uneven-progress-in-increasing-gender-racial-and-ethnic-diversity/] less than their male peers. Renu and Michael discovered from Dominique and Laura how Plug and Play Tech Center navigates this lack of representation. One of the ways of being proactive in correcting these inequalities is their DE&II-focused initiative, DRIVE, which stands for Diversity, Respect, Inclusion, Visibility, and Equity. You will also know about the story behind the founding of Plug and Play, the life journey of its founder Saeed Amidi and why the organization has expanded so rapidly.  Some of the topics we discussed: 1. The Power of the Plug and Play Platform 2. Defining Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 3. Ensuring diversity through the hiring process 4. Introducing DRIVE outside of the US 5. Connecting people to succeed Other titles we considered: 1. It’s Broader Than the Words Say Within Itself 2. We’re Growing by the Day 3. What Brings People in Is Just Having That Hunger Not to Give Up 4. The Key Is Listening to What the Ask Is So That We Can Fulfil It 5. We Want to Build a Community This episode was produced by Khrystyna Khmilovska [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kkhmilovska/].

Episode 20 - It Is Not a Claim, It Is a Crisis - Deborah Watkins - Founder & CEO - CareBridge

Innovation Undercover had a wonderful conversation with Deborah Watkins [https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahpfeiflewatkins/], Founder & CEO at Care Bridge Internationa [https://www.carebridgeinc.com/]l. Care Bridge International is a data analytics insurtech  that drives the next-generation claim process by forecasting lifetime medical treatment and costs for claims. In the US, healthcare expenses represent 17.6% [https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/healthcare/our-insights/the-big-data-revolution-in-us-health-care] of national GDP, which is $600 billion more than expected for a country of that size and wealth.  According to McKinsey & Company, this number can be significantly reduced by $300 to $450 billion, only by implementing data intelligence. Renu and Michael discussed with Deborah all the benefits and pitfalls of bringing data intelligence to the health care and insurance industries and how it influences the various stakeholders, such as physicians, patients, or claim adjusters. You will also learn how Deborah combines her nursing background with data science to form a valuable business. And even more, the answer to the question “Will AI replace your job?”  is also covered in this episode. Some of the topics we discussed: 1. Acceptance and an excitement around data analytics in Insurance 2. The importance of educating the insurance market 3. How data intelligence can be used to give the patients more choices, more autonomy around their own health experience 4. What it takes to build a business from scratch 5. The impact of GPT-3 and Large Language Models for the insurance claims process Other titles we considered: 1. We Respect the Expert’s Opinion, but the Data Says a Different Story 2. Making The Machine and Human Work Together for Better Results 3. It’s the Most Exciting Thing and the Most Terrifying Thing I’ve Ever Done 4. I Look at It and Say, That Makes Sense 5.That’s How We’re Made. We’re Made to Be Connected This episode was produced by Khrystyna Khmilovska [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kkhmilovska/].

Episode 19 - Opportunity Should Be There for Everybody - James Sanders - Ecosystem Developer - Baloise Group

Innovation Undercover had a wonderful conversation with James Sanders [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jsanders123/], Ecosystem Developer at Baloise Group [https://www.linkedin.com/company/baloisech/]. Traditionally an insurance company, Baloise is now building a mobility ecosystem by investing in start-ups and has been deeply involved in innovation on this front. According to the United Nations, 258 million [https://uis.unesco.org/sites/default/files/documents/new-methodology-shows-258-million-children-adolescents-and-youth-are-out-school.pdf]children and youth were out of school because of poverty, discrimination, and lack of resources.  Education and equality are one of the leverages and aspects of democracy. At the same time, equity [https://www.humanrightscareers.com/issues/importance-of-equality/] is the primary tool for equality. It provides access to the same opportunities by distributing the resources to those who need them most, thus equalling the playing field. It promotes fairness, social mobility, economic growth, diversity, and inclusion. On the contrary, equal distribution of resources only maintains inequality. Renu and Michael defined with James the differences between these concepts agreeing that “Opportunity should be there for everybody.” James also reflected on how being the son of high-ranked military parents, coaching baseball, and living in various places such as Australia to Switzerland influenced his vision of both genders, business, and life. He also shares some valuable insights into how Baloise has been diversifying their core business in the recent past. Some of the topics we discussed: 1. Being around powerful women from childhood and how that has impacted his life 2. Experiences living and working in California, Australia, and Switzerland 3. Comparing being a baseball coach in Australia and Switzerland to building startup ecosystems 4. Assessing the successes of startups 5. How learning about new things is the best part of his role in Baloise Other titles we considered: 1. Hey, You Take It, You Learn From It, and Move On to the Next Thing 2. I Was Made in Japan, but I Was Born in California 3. Everyone Can Bring Something to the Table 4. You Can Always Find Value in Everything 5. I Don’t Think I’ve Been the Smartest Person in the Room, Since Maybe Kindergarten This episode was produced by Khrystyna Khmilovska [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kkhmilovska/].

Episode 18 - Empowering Female Voices in the Investment Revolution - Karen Wendt - President & Angel Investor - SwissFinTechLadies

Innovation UnderCover was joined by Karen Wendt [https://www.linkedin.com/in/profkarenwendt/], President & Angel Investor at SwissFinTechLadies [https://www.linkedin.com/company/sftl-swissfintechladies/]. SwissFinTechLadies is a female FinTech Community that seeks to encourage and involve more women in the industry by boosting incubator/accelerator programs, mentoring, and theme events. Globally, financial literacy is positively linked to income and wealth, and in Switzerland, while  62% [https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation.aspx?paperid=117408] of men could correctly answer finance-related questions, only  39% [https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation.aspx?paperid=117408] of women could do the same. Thus the importance of female education is evident as it significantly influences their long-term financial well-being. Renu and Michael were happy to talk with Karen, who actively creates the future with more women in power by delivering book and film series on sustainable finance, leading the SwissFinTechLadies, and promoting investment in Switzerland. Thanks to our versatile guest, in this episode, you will dive deep into the financial world, get inspired to invest, and discover Karen’s drivers and measures of success. Some of the topics we discussed: 1. Going from a financial expert to writing worldwide books about sustainable finance 2. Comparing banking investments with investing own money 3. Directing films about blockchain, emotional intelligence, business ethics 4. Crafting easy-to-digest content on complicated topics as part of the literacy journey 5. Encouraging women to invest Other titles we considered: 1. If You Are Not Out of Your Comfort Zone, You Are Not Fearless 2. You Can Know Something and Do Nothing With It, or You Can Experiment With Your Knowledge 3. We Are Not Trained to Make Financial Decisions 4. I Decided That I Want to Learn It 5. No Matter What, I Go and Get My Feet Wet This episode was produced by Khrystyna Khmilovska [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kkhmilovska/].