E559 'Uncovering AI's Potential in National Security' with Improvix Technologies' Jack Loss

Today's guest is Jack Loss, Vice President, Strategy & Innovation at Improvix Technologies. Founded in 2012, Improvix Technologies’ vision is to improve the federal landscape by closely aligning technology with mission. From its headquarters in Reston, VA, Improvix has grown into a trusted partner to federal agencies and commercial entities, delivering innovative solutions that bring true mission value across four core areas: Data and AI, Application Services, Cloud and Infrastructure, and Cybersecurity.Jack leads Improvix’s corporate innovation lab, IPX CREATE, collaborating with clients, partners and employees to deliver high-value solutions. He also drives the company’s marketing strategy and brand engagement, while supporting capture efforts and technical proposal development. With a background in cloud, data and cybersecurity, Jack focuses on scaling innovation, strengthening technical capabilities and driving organic program growth.In the episode, Jack discusses:0:00 Bridging technical engineering and business strategy through evolving roles2:00 Improvix Technologies’ focus on mission-driven culture and capabilities3:10 Advancing secure AI and comprehensive data management capabilities5:19 How AI-powered intake streamlines requirements and accelerates solution delivery8:25 How the Lab drives innovation via sandbox, solutions and workshops12:22 Building predictive civil-unrest models using integrated open-source data14:44 An insight into their culture driven by growth, teamwork and core values17:50 Growing needs in business analysis, low-code development and cloud engineering20:19 Why he’s excited to deepen mission alignment and deliver real-world impactTo find out more about all the great work happening at Improvix Technologies, check out the website www.improvixtech.com 

Today's guest is Jimi Li, Chief Technology Officer at ALM. Founded in 1998, ALM is the world’s most trusted provider of information, data, intelligence and content supporting both the practice and business of law. What began more than 40 years ago as a single publication serving attorneys has since grown into a global company supporting more than seven million business leaders and practicing professionals. Along the way, ALM has helped transform the industries it serves, as well as the communities within them.Jimi is a results-driven technology executive leading enterprise-wide AI transformation. With a proven track record of translating business strategy into high-impact operational solutions, he brings deep expertise across product management, cloud infrastructure, enterprise systems, data and analytics, and AI implementation. Jimi oversees all technology functions at ALM and is spearheading the adoption of generative AI, large language models and agentic automation to transform operations and accelerate product innovation.In this episode, Jimi talks about:0:00 His journey from self-taught engineer to leading digital and AI transformation2:50 ALM as a legal media and data company driving digital and AI transformation3:58 AI succeeds when integrated into strategy and cross-functional teams6:12 How AI transformed their product teams, improving efficiency and delivery8:323AI projects fail due to mindset, context gaps and workflow friction14:38 How AI creates value in employee efficiency, ROI and strategic opportunities17:51 Success in AI needs data experts, tech-savvy product managers and business-minded developers

Today's guest is Matej Zachar, CIO and CISO at Kontent.ai. Founded in 2015, Kontent.ai help content-driven organizations in regulated industries like healthcare and insurance overcome complex content challenges. They do this by bringing complete control and efficiency to every aspect of content management. At the core of Kontent.ai's work is a commitment to helping clients streamline content operations, reduce risk and enable teams to deliver high-quality content at scale.Matej Zachar is a security, privacy and IT executive with a track record of leading award-winning teams. He has built numerous security, privacy and IT programs and managed the security of over 400 products and cloud services. At Kontent.ai, he owns the IT and security strategies and programs, leads both IT and Security Team, and manages risks. He is also the chair of the Security Steering Committee, a member of the Responsible AI Committee, Privacy Team and Corporate Compliance Committee.In this episode, Matej talks about:0:00 His career working at the intersection of AI and Cybersecurity2:20 Secure AI governance builds trust amid evolving regulations4:33 How AI governance reveals reliance on vendors and data risks6:14 Vendor negotiations depend on company size and bargaining power7:27 Why AI adoption and customer sentiment are key success measures8:57 Advice to stay curious, adapt to change and commit to continuous learning9:58 Risk rises with understaffing and AI-driven phishing attacks12:30 How automation effectively speeds up tedious security tasks and triageTo find out more about all the great work happening at Kontent.ai, check out the website www.kontent.ai

Today's guest is István Görgei, Managing Director of ServiceNow Business Unit Leadership at Capture Group. Founded in 2009, Capture helps organizations become agile digital enterprises by streamlining their application factories. Serving over 400 clients across the DACH and CEE regions, Capture offers AI-powered ServiceNow solutions, low-code application development, test outsourcing and resource augmentation, supported by nearshore services to deliver scalable, end-to-end enterprise impact.Istvan is a customer-focused professional with expertise in relationship building, project management, strategic planning and team development. He is the Managing Director of Capture's ServiceNow Business Unit where he leads strategy, operations and growth across the DACH and CEE regions, leveraging AI to deliver transformative customer value. Passionate about creating sustainable, long-term solutions, Istvan helps customers achieve their goals faster while nurturing innovation, balanced growth and lasting business impact.In the episode, István discusses:His background as expert in agile and hybrid work at ServiceNowCapture’s journey from project management to comprehensive ServiceNow solutionsHow ServiceNow connects silos, enabling insights and future forecastingFrom starting in IT, SPM aligns business and plans strategic roadmapsHow Boutique partners add specialized value beyond standard ServiceNow offeringsCombining boutique expertise with a large external network for ServiceNow solutionsHis vision of AI-driven, conversational ServiceNow simplifying user workflowsUsing AI to prefill SPM project data, reducing gaps and administrative workEncouraging team creativity with AI, but maintaining clear governance boundariesAdvice to understand the past, anticipate the future and plan strategically

Today's guest is Jesal Mehta, Founder and CEO at Aavenir. Founded in 2019, Aavenir is an AI-powered SaaS platform that streamlines Source-to-Pay processes by automating procurement, vendor onboarding, contract lifecycle, obligations and accounts-payable. Built on ServiceNow, it unifies procurement, legal, finance and compliance teams with real-time insights, scalable workflows and strong security. Aavenir helps enterprises accelerate contract cycles, reduce costs, manage risk and simplify procurement operations globally.Jesal is a seasoned enterprise software executive with deep experience driving product growth through innovative strategies and high-performing teams across India and the USA. He brings strong leadership in Procure-to-Pay and contract management, including ownership of a flagship CLM product and execution of cross-functional strategies for aggressive growth. He has also built and led offshore development centers in India, managing full delivery, services and support while scaling organizations through leading SI partnerships.In the episode, Jesal discusses:0:00 Techie-turned-leader specialising in CLM and platform solutions2:50 Aavenir’s focus on AI-enabled, native ServiceNow source-to-pay solutions with integrated CLM4:16 Becoming a ServiceNow-focused firm delivering modern AI-powered source-to-pay transformations6:28 Complementing ServiceNow by delivering deep, missing source-to-pay capabilities9:12 How he built a remote, domain-expert team trained on ServiceNow11:34 Why domain knowledge and empathy matter more than technology platforms13:58 How AI supercharges products and internal productivity for faster delivery17:00 Why innovation, customer focus and joy drive everything they do

Today's guest is Peter Castillo, Director of Technology Operations Center Platforms at Toyota Financial Services. Founded in 2000, Toyota Financial Services help millions of Toyota customers drive the vehicle of their dreams, thanks to their flexible financing and leasing, voluntary protection products and well-rounded auto insurance offerings. Inspired to always strive for quality, convenience and consistency, one of their main goals is to deliver exceptional customer service that matches the exceptional quality of Toyota vehicles.With over 25 years of engineering experience and 15 years leading and managing critical systems in highly regulated environments, Peter combines technical expertise with thoughtful, strategic leadership. He is a servant leader who strongly believes in the power of conversation, identifying the most efficient path from Point A to Point B, the importance of time and perspective, and rarely is something more important not to stand up and turn the vinyl record to Side B.In the episode, Peter discusses:0:00 His career journey from odd jobs to ServiceNow expert3:42 Toyota Financial Services as world’s largest auto lender, focusing on vehicle financing5:21 His role to focus on scaling and modernizing Toyota’s mature ServiceNow platform9:04 Balancing stability, technical debt and innovation through thoughtful AI adoption12:41 Promoting ServiceNow’s value, talent development and internship opportunities at Toyota17:21 Offering stability, strong culture and customer-focused innovation

Today's guest is Jason Veiock, Founder & CEO at Bearing. Founded in 2025, Bearing's software solution digitally transforms corporate security on ServiceNow. Their expert team, which spans leadership of converged Global Security programs to the management of Global Security Operations Centers (GSOCs), brings a wealth of firsthand knowledge to address the persistent challenges their clients face. Bearing are committed to delivering transformative solutions that redefine security management for the modern enterprise.Jason is a data-driven and risk-informed security executive with a focus on strategy development, enhanced resilience and business enablement. He is successful in building and leading teams defending against full-spectrum threats spanning the cyber, physical and global security realms. He has a proven track record in managing programs, vendors and budget with on-time execution & delivery. Jason is experienced in both the corporate and government sectors as a seasoned law enforcement, intelligence and security professional.In the episode, Jason discusses:0:00 Ex-law enforcement founder now digitizing corporate security via ServiceNow3:36 As AI is reshaping founders, experience and critical thinking matter5:04 Solving physical security inefficiencies through practitioner-led workflow automation9: 19 Unifying corporate security and operations natively on ServiceNow12:18 Using AI on ServiceNow to detect workplace threats and support HR17:10 How workflow automation boosts security efficiency, consistency and ROI19:28 Why balancing AI agents versus scripted workflows is key startup challenge22:10 Driving Bearing’s success by balancing security expertise with ServiceNow skillsTo find out more about all the great work happening at Bearing, check out the website www.getyourbearing.com

Today's guest is David Petrou, Founder & CEO at Continua AI. Founded in 2023, Continua has brought the power of LLMs to group chat. Most AI tools today operate in “single-player” mode, but we’re social creatures, inspired and motivated through group conversation. So Continua asked: what if AI could be a quiet, helpful member of the group? That question led to Social AI - technology that fades into the background, acting not as a demanding interface but as a shared layer of intelligence that strengthens human connection.David and his team are building AI that helps people feel more connected, not less. He believes technology should strengthen empathy and relationships, not compete for attention. Previously, David was a Distinguished Software Engineer (L9) at Google, where he helped create Google Goggles and Google Glass, and led efforts to bring machine intelligence to Pixel and Android. His career centers on exploring how technology can understand context and quietly enhance meaningful human connection.In this episode, David talks about:0:00 His journey from Google veteran to AI entrepreneur founding Continua AI2:20 How AI has evolved from single-user tools to collaborative group intelligence5:58 How Continua adds socially intelligent AI to everyday group chats10:23 Expanding from group chat AI to real-time group collaboration13:10 Simplifying coordination and strengthens real-world social connections15:51 Building complex group-AI tech through strong, collaborative teamwork18:41 How Continua pursues social AI toward AGI, with strong team and hiring

Today's guest is Annette Muldowney, Vice President - ServiceNow Manager at MidWestOne Bank. Founded in 1934, MidWestOne Bank is a relationship-driven community bank that provides comprehensive financial solutions, including personal and business banking, lending, trust services and wealth management. Guided by values of integrity, teamwork and impact, MidWestOne Bank aims to generate meaningful outcomes for both their customers and communities.Annette is a resourceful and innovative leader with over 20 years of technical management, project implementation and customer experience expertise across private, public and Fortune 500 sectors. As a ServiceNow Platform Owner, Annette oversees roadmap creation, governance and adoption strategies to ensure seamless user experiences and measurable results. She is recognized for a collaborative leadership style, commitment to excellence and ability to deliver impactful, technology-driven organizational change.In the episode, Annette talks about:0:00 Driving financial innovation with ServiceNow for efficiency, transparency3:06 Her role driving service management transformation at MidWestOne3:52 Focusing on FSO, CSM, and emerging GRC initiatives5:32 How her team is leveraging partners to manage ServiceNow implementation8:02 Driving a phased ServiceNow implementation using crawl, walk, run approach10:56 How Executive support and right vendor critical for ServiceNow success13:12 Why building personal connection with vendors, fit and vision matter most14:35 Advice to lead by example, stay fact-based, and measure what matters18:03 The need to deeply understand the business to drive long-term platform success

Today's guest is Scott Livingston, Director, IT Service Strategy, Transition and Improvement at enGen. Founded in 2014, enGen - a subsidiary of Highmark Health - transforms healthcare through technology-driven operations. Serving over 11 million members, it integrates people, processes and systems via its TechOps approach. Its platforms, including the EHS administrative system, Predictal™ care management and Providius provider tools, enhance efficiency, improve outcomes and simplify the healthcare experience.Scott is an accomplished IT executive leading a 115-person international Platform and Service Management organization with a ~$14M annual budget. He drives strategic initiatives across Service Management, including generative AI adoption, ServiceNow ITSM/ITOM implementation and ITSM analytics. Known for building strong stakeholder relationships, Scott delivers operational efficiency, cost savings and measurable business value by aligning technology, strategy and high-performing teams to organizational objectives.In the episode, Scott discusses:0:00 His journey as an IT leader blending service management with healthcare technology4:27 Choosing ServiceNow for innovation, scalability, and future readiness8:28 Pursuing zero service desk and zero incident vision11:23 Their rapid ServiceNow adoption, now advancing with generative AI17:43 Balancing self-implementation with a strong partner collaboration for growth21: 23 Investing in AI-driven automation to transform healthcare efficiency and outcomes