Episodios

  • Enhancing the customer experience with AI: With Wyndham Hotels’ Michael Mahar
    Apr 7 2026

    This week on Catalyst, Tammy is joined by Michael Mahar, SVP & Head of Commercial Technology, Loyalty & Digital Products at Wyndham Hotels and Resorts. Michael’s career started answering calls as a Support Technician at Wyndham and now, over 20 years later, he’s helping the company transform their global infrastructure and leverage AI and cloud technologies to enhance the customer experience. In this episode Michael shares how Wyndham is using new technologies to improve the personal experience of their clients and why keeping an optimistic approach to advancements in AI is beneficial to your business.

    Please note that the views expressed may not necessarily be those of NTT DATA

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    Michael Maher

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    38 m
  • Job mapping in the age of AI: Understanding customer needs with Jim Kalbach
    Mar 31 2026

    This week on Catalyst, guest host Jod Kaftan is joined by Jim Kalbach, Chief Evangelist at MURAL, speaker, and author of Mapping Experiences and The Jobs To Be Done Playbook. Jod and Jim Kalbach discuss the evolving landscape of design, particularly in the context of AI. They explore the double diamond framework, the Jobs To Be Done methodology, and the importance of understanding customer needs through real-world research. Jim emphasizes the need for designers to embed customer insights into organizational workflows and the ethical responsibilities that come with design in the age of AI. Jim also shares how his experience as a Jazz Bassist informs his work in design - notably his ability to embrace the unknown.

    Please note that the views expressed may not necessarily be those of NTT DATA

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    Jim Kalbach

    Jobs to be Done Toolkit

    Erica Flowers - Trade Your Double Diamonds for Steel

    Leo Frishberg - Presumptive Design

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    35 m
  • Transforming manufacturing: With Tresa Gowland
    Mar 24 2026

    This week on Catalyst, Tammy is joined by Tresa Gowland, Manufacturing and High Tech Industry Leader at Launch by NTT DATA. Tresa began her career on the factory floor and has since moved into a strategic role, helping organizations transform and modernize their manufacturing processes. Tammy and Tresa explore what it really takes to modernize manufacturing. They highlight the critical role of empathy, compassion, and active listening when introducing new technologies and tackling long-standing challenges. Tresa also shares why treating innovation like a factory can drive adoption and deliver meaningful, lasting value.

    Please note that the views expressed may not necessarily be those of NTT DATA

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    Tresa Gowland

    From Sci-Fi to Shop Floor: Turning Bold Ideas into Reality

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    36 m
  • From the archives: Gen Z, AI and shaping the new workforce with Sarina Malik
    Mar 17 2026

    In this episode from the archives, Tammy is joined by Sarina Malik, a graduate from Columbia University, to discuss the role of AI in shaping the future workforce. They discuss the challenges faced by Gen Z in entering the job market, the importance of AI literacy, and the ethical implications of using AI in education. Serena also shares about her experience leveraging technology to create positive change in the world.

    Please note that the views expressed may not necessarily be those of NTT DATA

    Links:

    Project Pearls

    Future Faces Foundation Manila

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    32 m
  • Understanding the fears of AI adoption: With Christen Bell
    Mar 10 2026

    This week on Catalyst, Tammy is joined by AI Empowerment Solutions Leader at NTT DATA Christen Bell. Christen’s work focuses on how intelligent systems affect humans in the workplace and, more recently, human’s fears of AI. Christen shares her fascinating findings with Tammy on how AI adoption differs between industries and regions and what makes people more or less trusting of AI. Christen and Tammy also talk about how leaders can quell the perceived threat of AI in their workplaces - no surprise, it's by being human first!

    Please note that the views expressed may not necessarily be those of NTT DATA

    Links:

    Christen Bell

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    32 m
  • Finding human-AI flow: With Shelley Evenson
    Mar 3 2026

    This week on Catalyst, guest host Jod Kaftan sits down with designer and expert in human-centered AI, Shelley Evenson. Shelley shares her insights on how designers and teams can achieve human-AI flow and how to spot the warning signs that a team is drifting into the realm of AI slop. Jod and Shelley also discuss the need for change management in AI transformations and talk about who in an organization should own an AI transformation? Is it HR? Is it IT? According to Shelley it’s a team endeavour that should start at the very top, with the CEO.

    Please note that the views expressed may not necessarily be those of NTT DATA

    Links:

    Shelley Evenson

    Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience

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    38 m
  • The power of the command line: With Nate Berent-Spillson
    Feb 24 2026

    This week on Catalyst, Tammy speaks with Nate Berent-Spillson, the SVP of Engineering at Launch by NTT DATA. Nate is the type of guy who is always using technology in new and inventive ways. This week Nate and Tammy discuss the evolution of AI tools and Nate introduces the power of command line interfaces. Nate shares how using AI in innovative new ways can reduce cognitive load and reimagine user interfaces to enhance productivity and efficiency in the workplace.

    Please note that the views expressed may not necessarily be those of NTT DATA

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    Nate Berent- Spillson

    Markdown Guide

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    39 m
  • Progress over perfection: With Graeme Cuthbertson
    Feb 17 2026

    This week on Catalyst, Tammy speaks with Graeme Cuthbertson, Director of IT Operations and End-User Systems at Neurocrine Biosciences. They explore Graeme’s career across industries, including banking and biotech, and what those experiences have taught him about building empathy into technology. Graeme also highlights the importance of meeting customers where they are, the role of family support in personal and professional growth, and how human connection and thoughtful technology can elevate both employee and customer experiences.

    Please note that the views expressed may not necessarily be those of NTT DATA

    Links:

    Graeme Cuthbertson

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    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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    40 m